The Selma-Dallas County Public Library’s Lunch at the Library begins another great season on Thursday, Sept. 18 at noon, when the library welcomes author and attorney, Herbert Lewis. He is author of the Clearing the Thickets: A History of Antebellum Alabama.

Lewis earned his B.A. in history, and his law degree, from the University of Alabama. He clerked for Associate Justice Robert B. Harwood of the Supreme Court of Alabama, served in the U.S. Air Force in the Judge Advocate General’s Office and practiced for 26 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Birmingham.

In April 2006, the Alabama Review published his article concerning one of Alabama’s earliest attorneys, and Jim has contributed or edited numerous articles to the comprehensive Encyclopedia of Alabama. In March 2013, Jim’s first book, Clearing the Thickets: A History of Antebellum Alabama was published by Quid Pro Books of New Orleans.

The book begins by exploring the various ways Alabama has been affected and influenced since statehood and even before inclusion into the United States. Starting with the European influences of Spain, France and England and of course the Native Indian community, he reviews the contributions of each group.

Primarily done from an academic background, the book is still entirely readable and gives any Alabamian a chance to see first hand how our state has evolved and grown through the contributions of so many cultures.

Complete with footnotes that can lead to other historical readings, this is a great book for a history lover and anyone who wants to know more about Alabama.

The program also features a great lunch. Tickets are $8 and reservations can be made by calling the library 874-1725. Book sales and autographs take place before and after the event.