A Presentation of Cycling, History, and Victorian Adventure...

For more than four years, Annie’s great-grandnephew, Peter Zheutlin, has painstakingly reconstructed Annie’s audacious journey using hundreds of old newspaper accounts and long lost letters, scrapbooks, and photographs. With no family lore to guide him, Peter chased Annie through snow-covered cemeteries, across cyberspace, and along countless miles of highways and by-ways that eventually united him with Annie’s only grandchild. The result is a new book, Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride (Citadel Press).

Now, you are invited to share Annie’s improbable and daring ‘round the world journey with Annie’s great-grandnephew as your guide. Travel through the 1890s, a time of ragtime jazz, women’s liberation, and Wild West outlaws. Join Annie as she fends off bandits in France, dodges bullets on a Chinese battlefield, and trudges across the California desert with a broken down bicycle.

Peter’s lively and richly illustrated PowerPoint presentation includes many original images Annie herself used to illustrate lectures she gave about her travels as she crossed the United States in 1895. Included are several rare photographs of 19th century Jerusalem. The presentation can be tailored for adult audiences, children of all ages, or audiences comprising both children and adults.

Peter's presentation addresses these important social, family and historical themes:

• How changes in bicycle design opened the sport to women and how the cycling craze of the 1890s energized the women's suffrage movement
• Cycling and the Jewish community in the late 19th century
• Genealogy, family roots and the search for meaning
• How advances in communications and transportation technology in the late 19th century changed the world and fueled a mania for 'round the world travel of all kinds
• Sensationalism in late 19th century American journalism

For children the presentation includes lessons in:

• Women's and American history
• Geography
• Technology and social change

Join Peter and Annie for high Victorian adventure at the turn of the 20th century and a modern story of a search for family roots. And expect the unexpected for the adventure ends with the revelation of a stunning family secret!

Presentations can be arranged by emailing:
Peter Zheutlin

"Using dynamic photographs from the 19th century, colorful anecdotes, and a masterful blend of social history and travel narrative, Peter Zheutlin brings to life the unheralded story of Annie Londonderry's audacious cycling journey around the world and what it represented to the women of her time. Zheutlin is a marvelous storyteller who captures rich historical moments with humor, wit, and insight."

-- Jordan Namerow, Jewish Women's Archive, Brookline, MA

"A thoroughly captivating story and presentation."

-- Kathy Morris, Director, Phinehas S. Newton Library, Royalston, MA

"A dynamic and insightful presentation. Peter lit a spark that ignited the interest of a diverse Tucson audience."

-- Susan Silverman, Director, Arts & Culture, Tucson Jewish Community Center

“After every presentation at our community library, we ask audience members to evaluate the program. Peter's enthusiasm for his topic was evident and the response from all who attended was unanimous: all rated the presentation 'excellent.'"
-- Kendall Curtis, Public Services Librarian, Leach Library, Londonderry, NH

“An enlightening, informative and well crafted talk by a great public speaker.”
-- Andy Lebowitz, President, Temple Beth Sholom Brotherhood, Manchester, CT

“Peter’s talk was a big hit at our Sisterhood Dinner. Our usually chatty crowd of over 100 women listened attentively and greatly enjoyed this interesting presentation!”
-- Judy Ravech, V.P. for Programming, Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Needham, MA

 

For Book Clubs!

To have Peter join your book club by telephone for a discussion of Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride, contact him at the e-mail address above.