Come in, settle into a chair, listen and join a fascinating conversation! Doug Rooks and longtime colleague Bruce Bourgoine will discuss Doug’s latest book, "Transformational," taking in the career and legacy of Maine Governor Ken Curtis (1967-75.) Sponsored by the Readfield Library, the event will take place at the Readfield Town Office at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 8.

Doug will be online for a podcast interview with the folks from the Maine Historical Society at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 7.

Join Doug and State Rep. Gary Friedmann at the Jesup Library in Bar Harbor on Thursday, October first, at 5:30 p.m. for a chat, Q and A, and reading from his latest book, Transformational: Ken Curtis, Maine’s Reform Governor.

Join Doug for a reading and book signing at Bookspace on Columbia Street in Bangor - just around the corner from the Briar Patch bookshop! He'll be reading from his newest book focused on Maine history and politics. Special thanks to The Briar Patch bookshop and the Bangor Historical Society for hosting.

When elected in 1966 at age 35, Ken Curtis was the nation’s youngest Governor. He served eight years through war and social upheaval, a liberal Democrat who nonetheless transformed state government almost beyond recognition – all while working with a Republican Legislature. Creating Cabinet government, an income tax to fund the University of Maine System, vastly expanding public schools, conserving wilderness, and adopting landmark environmental legislation were just the beginning.

Ken Curtis was only 35 years old in 1967 when he was elected governor of Maine and went on to implement major reforms over two terms. Among them: the University of Maine system, the streamlining of state government, and the implementation of the state's first broad-based income tax to support education and infrastructure. Author Douglas Rooks argues that Curtis is the most significant governor in the state's history. He'll discuss his new biography of Curtis: Transformational: Maine's Reform Governor.

Panelist:
Douglas Rooks, editor, columnist, reporter; author of four books, including the latest, Transformational: Maine’s Reform Governor, a study of former governor Ken Curtis

Harold Pachios interviews Douglas Rooks about his newest book, Transformational: Ken Curtis, Maine’s Reform Governor.

Harold “Hal” Pachios worked for the Peace Corps as a congressional liaison, then held numerous positions in politics and government, including at the Democratic National Committee, VISTA, the White House (as associate White House press secretary), the Department of Transportation, and for Senator Edmund S. Muskie's vice presidential campaign.