Co-author of ‘Thunder of Elephants’ will be at Forest Library August 1
Forest native Bubby Johnston, who co-authored a book about the Mississippi Republican Party with his late father, Erle Johnston, will hold a book signing and reading Tuesday, August 1, at the Forest Public Library.
The special event will be held from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the library’s large meeting room. Johnston plans to read a few excerpts from the book at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Autographed copies may be purchased for $32, which includes sales tax.
Johnston, who now resides in Quitman, completed recently his father’s The Thunder of Elephants, from Bayonets to Ballots, a 40-chapter, 400-page memoir about the history and resurgence of the Republican Party in Mississippi.
The book highlights the battle for political power and recognition between the “Lily White” and “Black and Tan” factions of the GOP and later recognizes election victories of GOP candidates following decades of Democratic Party control after Reconstruction.
The final chapter pays tribute to several women who played key roles in the success of the Mississippi Republican Party.
“We are very excited about Bubby’s book signing and look forward to hosting this special event at our library,” said Dianne McLaurin, branch manager of the Forest Public Library. “We anticipate a great response to honor the longtime Forest resident, whose family owned and published The Scott County Times for more than 40 years. Erle Johnston is also a former mayor of Forest.
The book is dedicated to Johnston’s sisters, Carol Lindley of Hattiesburg and Lynn Catalina of San Antonio, Texas. On the dedication page, he wrote: “We were very blessed that Erle and Fay Johnston were our parents. Finally, ol’ Bub completed Dad’s book. It’s time to celebrate!”
Johnston noted that $15 from each book sale is designated for the Children’s Hospital of Mississippi, in memory of his parents.
Erle Johnston authored three books, I Rolled with Ross; Mississippi’s Defiant Years, 1953-1973; and Politics: Mississippi Style. He completed 30 chapters of Thunder of Elephants prior to his death following heart surgery in 1995.
Bubby is a graduate of Forest High School and Mississippi State University.
He is married to the former Janet Harris of Quitman.
Books are also available by mail by sending a check or money order for $38 to Boonedocks Publishing, LLC, 603 Betty Circle, Quitman, MS 39355.
