L. Edward PurcellL. EDWARD PURCELL is an independent historian, editor, and journalist who has written over a dozen books and numerous articles, many of them on historical topics. He is currently an adjunct lecturer in American history at both Drake University, Des Mines, Iowa and Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa. He has worked in publications and historical publishing for more than 25 years, holding posts as editor-in-chief of a large state historical society and director of communications for a prominent non-profit public interest group. He was also editor of The Palimpsest, an award-winning illustrated history magazine. Mr. Purcell has taught history and writing at several colleges and universities and serves as a consultant on publishing and historical interpretation. Read More Read Less