Monday, April 23, 2018
Best-selling North Carolina author Charles Frazier talks about his new historical novel about the first lady of the Confederacy, and Hugh McColl shares thoughts about Charlotte, leadership and more.
Part One: Charles Frazier, Bestselling Author of Cold Mountain, Returns to the Civil War in Varina
When Charles Frazier finished Cold Mountain, a novel which follows a Confederate soldier back home to the Blue Ridge Mountains after the war, he said he never thought he'd write about the Civil War again. His first novel was a breakout success, winning the National Book Award, and was adapted into an Academy-Award winning film and even an opera.
But he was wrong, it turns out he wasn't done with the Civil War, or it wasn't done with him. His latest book, Varina, is an historical novel that follows the first lady of the Confederacy, Varina Davis, wife of Jefferson Davis, long after the end of the war.
Frazier felt compelled to write about this complicated, conflicted woman who found herself on the wrong side of history, but attempted to move forward in her thinking. After the death of her husband she moved north, vowing never to return to the South and later in life publicly declared the right side won the war.
What is it about the Civil War that has such a hold on Frazier, and on our culture? Mike Collins talks with North Carolina native Charles Frazier about that and much more.
Guest
Charles Frazier, Author of Cold Mountain, which won the National Book Award and was adapted into an Academy-Award winning film. His latest book is Varina, which became an instant bestseller when it was released earlier this month.
Related Event: Charles Frazier will speak Monday, April 23 at 7pm at Loray Mill in Gastonia.
Part Two: Hugh McColl on Leadership and Legacy
Mike Collins sits down for a visit with Hugh McColl to talk about Charlotte's past, but also its future, and the future of leadership in our city in the absence of the corporate titans who got the Queen City to where we are today.
What is McColl's vision for Charlotte's future and what is his legacy? We find out, in a conversation recorded at the Charlotte Talks 20th Anniversary Event on April 19th.
Guest:
Hugh McColl Jr., former chairman and CEO of Bank of America
