Bookseller Profile

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McGowan Book Co.

McGowan Book Company has been in existence since 1987 specializing in Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War: books, autographs, photographs and objects of the period. Our inventory is not limited to our area of specialty. We also offer a wide array of Americana, which includes African-American history, Church History and Military history.

Bookselling is not the easiest way to make a living. What keeps you doing it?
I find books fascinating. Like any business bookselling has its headaches and there are some areas I do not especially enjoy such as the packing of orders. However, each week brings in a new item that I have never seen before. The books appeal to me as objects unto themselves and I find the bibliographical research on important titles most interesting. Handling one truly great book is the antidote for many headaches.

How did you choose your specialty?
When I first started in the book business in 1987 one of the first stores I visited was Goodspeed's in Boston. While there Bailey Bishop advised me to specialize in something that interested me. He said that was critical because it would allow me to enjoy becoming an authority in my area of specialty. It was some of the best advice I ever received. I had been interested in the Civil War in particular and military history in general since I was a child so for me the choice was an easy one.

What do you collect? Anything besides books?
I collect Civil War photographs. I also collect books written by John McGowan, a prominent 19th century Scottish theologian. (He is a relation and the namesake of the business).

Lots of people have "shop pets". Do you have one? Several?
No shop pets here unless you count the dust mites.

What is the most unusual book you ever bought?
Robert E. Lee's personal campaign Bible. This Bible was obtained by Lee when he was a Captain of Engineers during the United States Army's victorious entry into Mexico City. He inscribed the title page: "R. E. Lee, City of Mexico, Sept.1847." It traveled with him for a period of eighteen years and was taken from his Head Quarter's baggage train by a New Jersey soldier on April 5th, only four days before he surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. To own such an important personal possession of this famed commander was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the high spot of my career as a bookseller thus far. One can only imagine how often Lee found comfort and strength from this Bible; consulting it before dividing his forces in the face of the enemy at Chancellorsville; seeking solace after the death of Stonewall Jackson; searching for reassurance before ordering Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. Though Lee did not make any marginal annotations, it obvious that he read his Bible often. To hold this Bible in my hands and read it knowing that Lee had held it in his hands and read it made me feel a true connection with him both militarily and theologically. It was an honor to own such an important piece of Americana.

Do you have any legendary stories you tell about incidents in your store?
No legendary stories, but I do have a favorite humorous incident which happened while I was on the road book shopping. I went into a store, which shall remain nameless, and asked where the Civil War section was. The owner, who was obviously in his cups, asked me which one. He then proceeded to give me a lengthy and disjointed lecture on the fact that there were three Civil Wars in America. The American Revolution qualified because it was Englishmen fighting Englishmen. The War of 1812 qualified because it was essentially the same. Naturally, the War Between the States was the third. Since I had been listening patiently for some time I jumped at the chance to say that that was the Civil War I was interested in. He gave me directions which I followed and after hearing the long discourse on the need for specification I found that area of the store labeled with a large sign that read simply: CIVIL WAR.

- Doug Sanders, McGowan Book Co.

The views of the author, expressed above, are not necessarily those of the Advanced Book Exchange