Author Rooks to speak at Gardiner library April 19

GARDINER — The Gardiner Public Library’s next author talk will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 19.
Author and journalist Douglas Rooks will read from his new book, “Rise, Decline and Renewal: The Democratic Party in Maine” published by Hamilton Books.

He will concentrate on excerpts from the book that highlight the tenure of Ken Curtis, a two-term Maine governor. The author will be introduced by Gay Grant, D-District 81.
“Rise, Decline and Renewal” tells the story of the Maine Democratic Party — how it suddenly rose from irrelevance in 1954 with the election of Gov. Ed Muskie, successfully challenged the ruling Republican Party over the next two decades and initiated a creative period of wide-ranging reforms that produced a model government for a state long perceived as a cultural and economic backwater.
Prosperity was clouded by leadership failures, however, then succeeded by political and institutional decline. The vision that had once galvanized Democrats faded, elected officials clung to power, and legislators failed to provide good representation for the citizens who’d empowered them.
For more information, call the library at 207-582-3312. The program is free and open to the public.