Widely praised for her meticulous research, fine prose, and compelling narrative drive, Mary Doria Russell is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Sparrow, Children of God, A Thread of Grace, Dreamers of the Day, Doc, and Epitaph. We'll be discussing her inspiring new historical novel about America’s Joan of Arc, "The Women of Copper Country."

At the age of 25, Annie had seen enough of the world to know that it was unfair. She’d spent her whole life in the copper-mining town of Calumet, Michigan, where men risked their lives for meager salaries while their wives cleaned houses of the elite, dreading the fateful news of a deadly mine accident. When Annie — in July of 1913 — decides to stand up for herself and the entire town of Calumet, she touches off a violent, turbulent reaction that feels startlingly relevant to today.

The Women of Copper Country was selected as Michigan Humanities’ 2021-22 Great Michigan Read, and NWS is proud to support our local library system, Traverse Area District Library, as they gear up to celebrate the Great Michigan Read this September with books, reading guides, and more!