(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The gruesome death of a freelance journalist by terrorists that changed his grieving mother's life trajectory unfolds in Colum McCann's stunning book, American Mother. Meet Diane Foley, the title subject, along with the National Book Award-winning author in a special Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 2:00pm.

In 2014, Diane Foley’s son Jim was captured and beheaded by ISIS operatives who recorded the execution on video and created one of the starkest images of the early 21st century. Diane’s three days in a Virginia court house with the killer formed the foundation of one of modern literature’s most compelling narratives.

Diane founded the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation a month after her son’s death. She continues to lead efforts to rescue hostages of global terrorism and support groups including Hostage US and the International Alliance for a Culture of Safety. She was instrumental in a Presidential directive that reorganized U.S. hostage recovery policies.

Colum McCann’s seven novels, three story compilations and two nonfiction works have earned him international recognition including the U.S. National Book Award, France’s Chevalier des Artes et Lettres and the International Dublin Literary Prize of his native Ireland. He presides over Narrative 4, the story exchange forum that he co-founded.

Please register at https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary to attend this free program, to view the upcoming schedule, and to view previous talks. Registrants will receive links to the program by email and may submit questions for the author when signing up.

American Mother is available at the Ocean County Library.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Eagle