The Third Edition of The War Between the States: America’s Uncivil War, complete with new cover, artwork, and other updates, has arrived! To order your copy(ies) of this comprehensive, richly-illustrated one-volume saga of the causes, events & people, and consequences of America's epic conflict with itself, please contact the publisher, Western Conservatory for the Arts and Sciences, at orders@firstpacificmedia.com. Many thanks to Geoff Botkin and his team for making this happen!

John speaks to a full house on Abraham Lincoln: Stepfather of Our Country at the John Birch Society Business and Professional Luncheon in Dallas.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and encouragement with us through the long ordeal of securing the updated, third edition of The War Between the States: America’s Uncivil War.  First the bad news, then the good.  The fine folks at the Western Conservatory for the Arts and Sciences, producers of this edition, have informed us that the printing company paid to deliver it has apparently gone out of business, after having received payment in full for the WBTS books but not delivering them to Western.

The very good news is that our Western friends, at great expense to themselves, remain determined to get this book back into circulation.  They have now contracted with the splendid printing company who delivered the first edition of WBTS. We are hopeful of a release date for the new edition of no later than June 1. Please contact David Botkin at david.botkin@firstpacificmedia.com for more detailed information, and consult this site for further updates as we receive them.

John appears on the popular Generations Radio broadcast hosted by home schooling leader Kevin Swanson, discussing the issues addressed in his new article Abraham Lincoln, Stepfather of Our Country.

John's new article Abraham Lincoln, Stepfather of Our Country appears online in the New American Magazine. The print edition comes out the week after Thanskgiving. This piece, coinciding with release of the new movie Lincoln, builds on John's earlier work with the subject in his audio address of the same title and the War Between the States: America's Uncivil War book. It aims to provide a historically accurate account of the sixteenth president's views and actions related to the Constitution, slavery and African-Americans, and the post-war era.

Thank you for your continued patience regarding the much-anticipated arrival of the third edition of The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War. It is scheduled to arrive in early-mid-December, in time for Christmas gift deliveries! Please contact David Botkin at david.botkin@firstpacificmedia.com for more information.

The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War is back! Beginning NOW, and over the next couple of months, we are rolling out several versions of the Third Edition of this classic full color, one-volume chronicle of the causes, course, and consequences of America’s greatest tragedy. The brand new, unabridged eBook is available NOW in the Apple iBookstore.  To download it immediately, at a price significantly less expensive than the print edition, click HERE

By the end of August, eBook  versions will go live on both Amazon (www.amazon.com) for Kindle and Barnes & Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com) for Nook.  Check this website for immediate announcements of those releases.

Sometime in October, the full-color, 712-page Third Edition print version will release.  Please check this website for that announcement, too.

We appreciate the hundreds of individuals and organizations who have patiently awaited these exciting events.  John and everyone connected with The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War are grateful for your encouragement and support.

John continued teaching history and ethics courses at Southern Nazarene University, which he has done for many years. The picture to the right, taken by student Taylor Sourie, shows him sitting amongst his Oklahoma History (OH) class in the gallery of the Oklahoma State Senate while that group was in full session. "A Night at the State Capitol" is one of the features of John's SNU OH class, a course he designed.

John spoke again on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, at the annual American Christian Writers (ACW) conference in Oklahoma City. He has had the privilege to speak many times at ACW conferences in both OKC and Dallas, beginning in 1994. This time, he spoke on "Writing Historical Fiction," as well as "The Art of Interviewing." ACW is a wonderful organization for those interested in refining their writing skills, learning more about the publishing field, and networking with others who can help with editing, book proposals, finding a publisher, marketing a book, etc. Reg and Eleanor Forder do a great job leading ACW and presenting conferences around the country. The website to learn more, and to access ACW's enormous tape library of topics helpful to writers is ww.acwriters.com

We are nearly ready to share some momentous announcements regarding The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War, the book about which we are receiving a growing number of daily inquiries. Keep watch on this site for some big news about its return, coming soon! We deeply appreciate the scores of you who have inquired and encouraged us about this quintessential one volume, 700-page saga — featuring over 500 illustrations and nearly 100 biographical features — of the causes, course, and consequences of America's great and terrible war with itself.

Hear John's updated and expanded lecture on Jim Elliot: Martyr to the Indians. This presentation includes abundant additional material on the rare and sometimes controversial attributes that distinguished the legendary 20th-century American missionary from most Christians as he took the gospel into jungles where it had never been carried. Delivered at the Reformation Day 2011 celebration at Christ Presbyterian Church, Flower Mound, Texas.

John spoke to the South Oklahoma City Rotary Club about Oklahoma history heroes, including pioneer statesman and "Blind Orator" Thomas Gore, civil rights champion Clara Luper, and the Vietnamese Boat People, as well as his upcoming book The Oklahomans: The Story of Oklahoma and Its People. He is pictured with club President Ted Conway. He also spoke at Christ Presbyterian Church in Flower Mound, Texas, regarding the inspiring story of missionary "Jim Elliot – Martyr to the Indians."

"Abraham Lincoln — Stepfather of Our Country," John’s newest history presentation, reveals how the true story of America's most revered President is vastly more interesting — and controversial — than what most history books have taught us. Learn Lincoln's real opinions, in his own words, on numerous key subjects. And get ready for some surprises.

The War Between the States:  America's Uncivil War availability update: We are receiving daily inquiries from folks wishing to purchase The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War and its companion Study Guide. American Vision, which did such a stellar job publishing the Second Edition of WBTS, recently had their remaining stock purchased by another wholesaler. With no notice, this left them unable to supply new purchasers with the book. They prepared a special, leather-bound, 150th anniversary Commemorative Edition of WBTS they intended to release in November. Unfortunately, adverse economic circumstances forced them to cancel publication of this special Third Edition of the book. We are now working to find a new publishing home for it.

Please check back for updates on when this book will be available. Also, feel free to leave your contact information through the "Contact John" link if you wish for us to alert you when the Third Edition is available. And many thanks to Gary DeMar, Brandon Vallorani, Liz Darnell, and American Vision for their wonderful contribution in getting this book out to thousands more readers!

Daisy's Diary is probably the writing project closest to John's heart. Now you can read this story in its entirety, as written for the stage. John melds together his experiences and learning as a history teacher, author, theological seminary graduate, and student of current events in this unforgettable tale of contemporary America. The central characters are the Rankins, a Texas preacher’s family caught up in the danger, drama, and sense of destiny that accompany the nation’s struggle with terror and its war on Iraq. From the dynamic churches of evangelical America to the dusty, horror-filled alleys and streets of Iraq, where any step may be a soldier’s last, Daisy's Diary paints the myths and character that are the American people on a canvas as large as tha nation itself.

John's publishes a provocative new article, "Christianity and Avatar." In it, he examines the themes--spiritual and otherwise--of the blockbuster film, and Christian responses to them.

Many of you have requested an Answer Key for the "War Between the States" Study Guide. Now you have it. Just click here: It appears following the 38th and final chapter of Study Guide exercises. We have also improved, expanded, and updated the Study Guide: Click Here.

John has crafted extensive and informative Power Point slide shows for the Oklahoma Centennial Lecture Series addresses he is presenting to the Downtown College Consortium.  To access them, please click here.

John’s Oklahoma Centennial Lecture Series, sponsored by the Downtown College Consortium in conjunction with Oklahoma's 2007 Statehood Centennial celebration, continues. He presents “Oklahoma and the Great Depression:  Myth and Reality;” “Places Where We Cried:  The Story of the 19th-Century Cherokees,” and “Heroes of Oklahoma:  The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement and Others.”  For topics, dates, times, and locations, please click here.

The Steve Byas Book Shop hosted John for an August 4 book signing that featured all four of his books.  Thanks to Steve and the many folks from around Central Oklahoma who came, visited, and bought books!

On July 28, the Mardel Christian and Education Stores in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas, both hosted book signings for John and his novel When the Bluebonnets Come.  Special thanks to Plano Store Manager Carl Ritter and Fort Worth Store Manager Dallas King for arranging these events, where dozens of copies of the book were sold.

The Oklahoman, the largest circulation newspaper in Oklahoma and one of the five largest in the Southwest, features a color photograph and article on John’s new novel When the Bluebonnets Come on the front page of its June 21 Religion section.

Among the radio interviews on which John appears this month to discuss his novel When the Bluebonnets Comeare the Randy Renner Sunrise program on 50,000-watt AM station KOKC in Oklahoma City, and Salvadore SeBasco's The Inside View program on KNLE-FM in Austin, Texas.

John delivers a memorable Commencement Address entitled "Graduation Day" to an audience of 725 people at Coram Deo Academy, where he served for years as History Chair, in Flower Mound, Texas.

On May 5, the Mardel Christian and Education Stores in Edmond and Norman, OK, respectively, hosted book signings for John and in his new novel When the Bluebonnets Come. At both sites, many friends--old and new--turned out to visit and buy the book. Special thanks to Edmond Store Manager Steve Lyons and Norman Store Manager Jerry Pennybaker for arranging these events!

John’s new novel When the Bluebonnets Come is released by Bluebonnet Press at the annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival. John based the book on the people and events of the land where he lived for many years in the Texas bluebonnet country. It tells the poignant and humorous remembrance of a Texas woman looking back on an eventful few months in her childhood when the unwelcome forces of the outside world invaded her idyllic country life and changed it forever. She watched her father, once a football star and now pastor of a small country church, stand alone against a world dominated by big cities, big money, and big plans for paving over pastures and forests.

John launches his Centennial Lecture Series in speaking engagements at Oklahoma City Community College and Rose State College. The Downtown College Consortium, a group of Central Oklahoma colleges and universities, selected him to deliver the series in conjunction with Oklahoma's 2007 Statehood Centennial celebration. John will present additional lectures in the months ahead at the same schools, as well as the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Redlands Community College, and the Oklahoma History Center. For topics, dates, and locations, click here.

John joins some of America’s top Robert E. Lee scholars in speaking at the acclaimed Lee Bicentennial Symposium, in Arlington, Virginia.

John concludes teaching his Oklahoma History evening course in the Adult Degree Completion Program at Southern Nazarene University for this semester at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Wes Lane, former Oklahoma County District Attorney, speaks about city and county government and delivers a stirring message of seeing God’s hand in adversity, including a recent high-profile election he lost. State Representative Doug Miller leads the class on a fascinating tour of the beautiful and historic capitol building, and discusses the workings of state government. The class spends a portion of the evening sitting in legislators’ chairs in the House of Representatives chambers, hearing Doug and fellow State legislator Terry Harrison.

John's powerful and detailed examination of the Christian theory of just war, and whether America has abided by it, is posted on the acclaimed Lew Rockwell news and information website: www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/dwyer9.html

Five new audio CDs of popular lectures by John are released for sale on this site. They include Alfred  the Great: Defender of Christendom, about the peerless king who defended England from the pagan Viking hordes; Stonewall Jackson: Standing Like a Stone Wall, about the famed American soldier; The Great Revivals During the War Between the States, about how one of America’s greatest spiritual awakenings swept its armies during the country’s worst tragedy; Paul Schneider:  Apostle to the Nazis, about the German pastor Hitler feared more than any other; and Jim Elliot: Martyr to the Indians, about the legendary 20th-century American missionary.

The final three study guide exercise packages--chapters 29, 35, and 36—for The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War are posted in the Study Guide section of this site.

Two new audio CDs of popular lectures by John are released for sale on this site. They are Reconstruction or Deconstruction?, a penetrating analysis of federal government actions toward the defeated South in the post-Civil War and Reconstruction years; and Stand Watie and the Confederate Indians, a moving account of the Cherokee Indians and their experiences from before the Trail of Tears until after the War Between the States in Oklahoma.

John is named Adjunct Professor of History at Oklahoma City Community College.

John is named Adjunct Professor of History at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City.

Study guide exercises are posted for chapters 16-28 of "The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War."

The Downtown College Consortium, a group of Central Oklahoma colleges and universities, selects John to deliver their Centennial Lecture Series during the 2006-07 academic year, in conjunction with Oklahoma's 2007 Statehood Centennial celebration.

John spends two full hours live on the Iowa-based Faith and Freedom Network (www.kfffradio.org) radio talk show with Jamie Johnson.

Bluebonnet Press is pleased to announce that the respected and well-known American Vision (www.americanvision.org) organization, headed by Gary DeMar, has taken over distribution responsibilities for The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War.

Dr. Roger McGrath, distinguished author and retired professor of history (1982-1997) at UCLA, pens a splendid review of The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War in the New American magazine. Writes McGrath: "The War Between The States by John J. Dwyer, et al., is the best textbook for the high school, preparatory academy, or junior college I've ever read . . . . (It) is a stunning success. . . . the book is handsomely bound and well illustrated. If anyone is interested in a comprehensive and engaging, scrupulously fair and honest, one-volume text covering the American Civil War, its causes, conduct, and ramifications--and personalities, The War Between The States: America's Uncivil War is the one."

Study guide exercises are now posted for several more chapters--12, 14, 15, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, and 38. We shall continue posting these, and enlarging the packages for each chapter, in the weeks and months ahead.

John narrowly missed having one of his recent lectures filmed by famed cable channel C-Span for its Book Notes program. The network scheduled the event, then was unable to secure a local film crew in time. We'll post a schedule of showings when they reschedule John. Book Notes typically plays its programs four or five times over a two-month period.

Oklahoma friends! John is coming to Oklahoma City Thursday, December 22nd for a book signing at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Hosted by State Rep. Doug Miller, the signing takes place from 3-6 p.m. in room Room 412-C of the capitol building at N. E. 23rd and Lincoln Blvd. Come see John and visit with both old and new acquaintances.

Bluebonnet Press posts the first supply of Online Study Guide material for The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War, for students and teachers. The initial posting contains study packages for all eleven chapters in Part I (Causes of the War) of the book, including chapter summaries, identification terms, completion sentences, timelines, and essay topics. Chapter quizzes are included for some chapters, and will be added for others in coming weeks, as will lists of recommended resources, suggested projects and activities, and answer keys.

John spent a full hour live on the air October 28 with Jan Mikkelson, whose "Mikkelson in the Morning" program on WHO Radio in Des Moines is perhaps the most-listened-to radio program in Iowa.

John has a new (and growing) slate of radio and personal appearances set for the fall and winter months.

Easy and quick online credit card ordering for The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War becomes available through PayPal with only a couple of clicks and a few strokes of the keyboard at www.bluebonnetpress.com.

John's long-awaited blockbuster The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War is released by Texas-based Bluebonnet Press. The full color, hardcover, 712-page saga chronicles the many causes for the nation's greatest conflict, the events and people of the war itself, and the many and important consequences of the post-war years and Reconstruction. The book features editorial contributions from educators George Grant, Steve Wilkins, Douglas Wilson, and Tom Spencer; over 530 illustrations, including the incomparable paintings of historical artist John Paul Strain; a free online study guide for students and teachers; and nearly 100 biographical features on key figures of the period from all walks of life.

Another school year begins at Coram Deo Academy, the classical and Christian, university-schedule school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where John serves as History Chair. If that type of K-12 education, which combines 2-3 days a week of classroom instruction with home schooling the remainder of the week, interests you, and you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, please contact Coram Deo Academy at 972/318-5222.