Book signing on Saturday at Enchanted Books to feature Quincy native

QUINCY — Quincy native James Magner will hold a book signing at Enchanted Books, 532 Maine, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sat., Aug 12. Magner is an amateur poker player and will perform a few quick card tricks for the audience.

Published in April, Magner’s book titled “Curious Exploits: A Family Seeks Success in Nineteenth Century America,” is a work of historical fiction. Sharing harrowing stories of grit and perseverance, Magner’s historical saga transports readers back to a tumultuous time in the Midwest. A pragmatic German farmer, his clever wife, and their children escape political repression in Europe, but must learn about slavery, new currencies, American politics, and steamboats in this fact-based historical novel intended to educate and entertain.

“Curious Exploits,” set between 1846 and 1940, is a carefully researched 19th century American adventure story that follows three generations of a German immigrant family who overcame challenges as the nation faced epidemics, economic turmoil, the Mexican American War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War and rapidly advancing technology.

Magner attended St. Francis Elementary School and is a 1969 graduate of Christian Brothers High School