First Oprah, Now Barnes & Noble- New Author has the Timing Right

Oprah, Barnes and Nobles and everyone else are going back to the classics of literature. A new book shows even a schlub from the suburbs has something to learn.

When Oprah Winfrey decides that its worth going back to the Classics, theres something going on.

When Barnes and Noble dedicates a new publishing line to Classic Literature, theres REALLY something going on.

When 10 bookstores throughout the Midwest agree to host appearances by an unknown author before the book is even released, IT"S OFFICIAL.

A funny and insightful new book, A Phlistines Journal- an Average Guy Tackles the Classics" agrees. Release date for the book is MAY 1, 2003. Written by Wayne Turmel, and published by New Leaf Books (www.newleafbooks.net) the book outlines what happens when an average 40-year old suburbanite finally decides to read all the classics he should have read in college in one year. In A Philistines Journal-an Average Guy Tackles the Classics" the results are funny, enlightening and relevant to just about everybody.

A Philistine's Journal is a clever and pleasing launch into the wide and wonderful world of the classics! I trust you will find that The Great Books" may never have been addressed in such a candid way before!", says Agrippina Magazine.

Says Chris Wolak, of Borders Books and Music in Bolingbrook, IL, People are returning to the classics in droves, and Wayne has a wonderful, non-academic approach. Because hes just a regular guy with a stand-up background the signings are fun, non-threatening and were excited about holding them". So excited, in fact, that shes booked 6 of them in the first weeks of release. (Full list available upon request).

Part standard books-store signing, part revival meeting, Turmel tells the audience how he rediscovered the Dead White Males", then leads the creation of a group reading list, encouraging people to tackle the books theyve always wanted to read but havent- yet.

A Philistines Journal" is the work of Wayne Turmel, a former standup comic and broadcaster and currently a full time corporate drone living in the suburbs of Chicago. On his 40th birthday, he realized he hadnt read many of the books a well-educated person should have- from Homer to Emerson and Lucretius to Robert Browning. So he dove in, keeping a journal along the way. He tackles questions both universal (What is God?) and peculiar to his unique take on the world (if Rome is in Italy, why are Romans always played by English actors?).

What began as a personal mid-life crisis became a shared experience as he discovered more and more Americans in their 40s returning to the classics of literature to see what they missed the first time. Readers of A Philistines Journal" can share in the learning as each chapter contains source material so they can at least claim theyve read Cicero- or John Locke- or Robinson Crusoe. Its perfect for Jeopardy addicts and those who love them.

By turns thoughtful, funny and just plain goofy, this book is a great introduction to the Classics as well as an entertaining look at life, marriage and the modern suburban mind.

As Jack Whyte, author of The Camulod Chronicles," says, A Philistines Journal", is a jewel for anyone who has ever felt intimidated and disadvantaged by his or her failure to read Great Literature and Classical Philosophy. The Journal, an average guys run at the Classics, is a pleasure to read and its message is simple. It says, So what? Get over it and just look at it from this point of view…" and then it goes on to bring the unreachable into your grasp"

More information on A Philistines Journal" available at www.achismarketing.com

Teresa Basile, Publisher, New Leaf Books (www.newleafbooks.net) (630) 832-8337

Wayne Turmel (wayne@achismarketing.com) (630) 347-8369