SCENERY HILL, Pa., March 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- James Spurr, author of the "Great Lakes, Great Guns" Historical Series, has been appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to the Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
Spurr is a native of Portage, Michigan and serves as Director of the Michigan Maritime Museum and crews as First Officer aboard Friends Good Will, the Museum's historical tall ship of the 1812 era, which sails out of South Haven. He also serves as Board President for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and is a member of the Maritime Heritage Alliance and the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History. He holds a United States Coast Guard Master's License.
His appointment to the Commission officially commenced on February 27, 2008, and will continue until December 31, 2010. In her letter appointing Spurr, Michigan Governor Granholm expressed every confidence that the state of Michigan would benefit from his background and experience.
Spurr's writing series begins with the fact-based and fast-paced "Sworn for Mackinaw," which features the tall ship Friends Good Will and focuses on the onset of the War of 1812. His second volume, "One Sloop and Slow Match," continues into the heart of the war and is due to be released by Double Edge Press in April 2008. A third title bringing the War of 1812 to its conclusion is scheduled for 2009.
Spurr began writing while still in college at the University of Michigan. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School. He signed with Double Edge Press Publishing of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania and "Sworn for Mackinaw" was released by Double Edge Press in April 2006.
Double Edge Press is an independent publisher established in 2005. Spurr's work was only the third title they released. They have since tripled in size with nine titles of varying subjects available and have four further works scheduled for release in 2008. Since their inception, they have proven to be connoisseurs of major up and coming talents, with one of their titles consistently hitting the top ten best seller list on Amazon/Waldenbooks for Religious fiction and another title winning the 2007 DWAA Maxwell Award on February 10, 2008.
Rebecca Melvin, CEO of the publishing house, is unsurprised at the appointment of Spurr to the Commission. "Jim's understanding of that period of time from the battles to the political underpinnings that brought the war about, and his ability to convey his knowledge is possibly unsurpassed. I'm certain that he will do the people of Michigan proud in his appointment. His dedication to anything he undertakes is immediately apparent."
For more information on James Spurr and his writing go to http://doubleedgepress.com.
For more information on the Michigan Commission Appointments go to http://michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192--186529--,00.html.
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