Jeff Shaara

George Washington: This army has survived an astonishing volume of catastrophe, and I am confident we will survive this one as well. It has become something of a lesson for me, that positive change is often born of disaster. Nathanael Greene: Would it not be better if we could avoid disaster altogether? In his new book The Glorious Cause, Jeff Shaara characterizes this conversation as occurring after the desertion of Benedict Arnold to the British in New York and the rout of Horatio Gates at Camden, S.C. - a couple of low points for the Americans in a war that was full of them.

Leslie Hanks Computer resource teacher Family: Husband, George; two sons, Brian, 23, and Justin, 21. Education: Bachelor of arts from Wilson College, masters in education from Shippensburg University. Mentor: Bill Ford. Favorite part of the job: "Being in the schools and working with teachers. " Biggest challenges of your job: "Keeping up with the changing technologies. " Favorite music: Show Tunes, easy listening, classical and Christmas music. My favorite musician is Fernando Ortega.

HAGERSTOWN The Washington County Commissioners likely will discuss a deal with director Ron Maxwell to extend a $300,000 loan agreement after hearing there's a chance the Civil War movie, "The Last Full Measure" will be made, County Attorney Richard Douglas said Friday. But Jeff Shaara, who wrote the novel, "The Last Full Measure," said he's not aware of any developments that indicate a movie with the same name will be produced. "No one has approached me with a deal or with a contract or with any news ...," Shaara said by phone Friday.

Washington County Free Library recently released its November edition of the BookShare Notable Hardcover Fiction and Nonfiction lists. The books featured on these lists are scheduled for publication during November and can be borrowed from the library. Readers who are interested in reserving their copy of any title from the BookShare Notable New Hardcover Lists may call the Adult Information Desk at 301-739-3250, ext. 123, or access the library's SIRSI iBistro online catalog at www.washcolibrary.

SPRING MILLS, W.Va. -- With circulation up 11 percent over the previous fiscal year, next week's opening of a larger facility for North Berkeley Public Library couldn't come at a better time. The new facility at 1255 T.J. Jackson Drive off W.Va. 901 is almost triple the size of the library's current location on the ground floor of the Marlowe Ruritan Club, according to Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library system Director Pamela K. Coyle. It is scheduled to open Oct. 1. The new space, configured from two "instructional cottages" donated by the Berkeley County Board of Education, is about 1,200 square feet in size, Coyle said.

HAGERSTOWN tarar@herald-mail.com Washington County plans to ask director Ron Maxwell to repay $300,000 the County Commissioners loaned him to shoot a Civil War movie in the county, Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook said Wednesday. Commissioners Vice President William J. Wivell, who opposed loaning the money to Maxwell, doubted the county would be paid back. "I think it'll be a bad debt write-off," Wivell said by phone Wednesday. "I don't think we're going to get anything out of it. " Snook and Maryland Film Office Director Jack Gerbes said they didn't know whether "The Last Full Measure" would be made.

martinsburg@herald-mail.com Those who turned out Thursday night at The Maryland Theatre for a 40-minute sneak peek of "Gods and Generals," a Civil War movie filmed mostly in the Tri-state area, were silent as the movie played. Afterward, they were anything but. "I thought it was incredible. A lot better than 'Gettysburg,'" said Rob Taylor, 19. His friend, Richard Moore, agreed. "There's no comparison (to 'Gettysburg'). It's fantastic," he said. "You can't put them in the same category.

Summer book suggestions, by grade Eighth grade "Crush: Stories" by Ellen Conford "Holes" by Louis Sachar "A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories" by Richard Peck "The Boxes" by William Sleator "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee "We All Fall Down" by Robert Cormier "Flour Babies" by Anne Fine "Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You" by Carol Weston "Fat Chance" by Leslea...

Meet romance writers BOONSBORO -- Washington Romance Writers mega event features authors Charlaine Harris, Nora Roberts, Gail Barrett, Heidi Betts, Susan Donovan and others. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe, 18 N. Main St. Call 301-432-4588. Tickets for a place in line will be handed out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 'Art in Bloom' Floral arrangements interpret paintings and sculptures in the museum. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Having lunch Friday with journalist Cokie Roberts was a laugh-filled affair at the Holiday Inn in Martinburg. Roberts' appearance attracted about 130 people to the kickoff event for the fourth West Virginia Book Faire at "Olde Towne Martinsburg," which continues today. Authors Dave Pelzer, Michael Shoulders, Jeff Shaara, Nancy Shaw and Walter Dean Myers are scheduled to attend the event. Other activities include an edible book contest at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, and music and puppets at the Martinsburg Public Library Roberts, who spoke for nearly 40 minutes before taking questions from the audience, used the opportunity to urge support for libraries, which she said are being stressed by increased use in difficult economic times and less funding.