General News: Breadmaker-Author to Speak at Library
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| William Alexander talks about his pursuit of the perfect peasant bread. |
May 26, 2010
Imagine tasting the perfect loaf of bread in a restaurant, then trying to recreate it using just four ingredients – water, flour, salt and yeast. Local author, William Alexander, will present his views on that process at Cornwall Public Library on Monday, June 7th, when he discusses his latest book – 52 Loaves, One Man’s Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust.
Bill, when not burning bread, under-watering his garden, or writing, is the director of technology at a psychiatric research institute, where he has spent the past 28 years as a researcher. He attended Duke University until, after spending two years in the basement of the engineering building trying to get a picture on the oscilloscope, he changed his major to English Literature, transferring to the University at Albany, where he graduated in 1974. Unable to find work related to his field he did a short stint as a math teacher, finally re-entering the technology field as the computer age dawned in 1981.
Bill became interested in baking bread when, at nearly the age of 50, he had his first taste of “real” bread — his first artisan loaf. As he describes it in 52 Loaves:
“This bread didn't ball up in your mouth like white bread and, like the crust, it was yeasty, just slightly sweet, and exhaled (yes, the bread exhaled) an incredible perfume that, cartoon-like, wafted up from the table, did a curl, and, it seemed, levitated me from the table. I was seduced, body and soul, my senses overloaded.”
Five years later, Bill embarked on a mission to re-create this perfect loaf of bread, the subject of his second book, 52 Loaves. His first book, The $64 Tomato, also drew rave reviews!
In addition to baking and gardening, his other hobbies include cooking, woodworking, kayaking, and swimming. His former hobbies include home renovation and child-rearing. Bill and his family live in New York's Hudson Valley. In addition to discussing his epic story, Bill Alexander will sign copies of his book, 52 Loaves, will be available for purchase. The event will begin at 7:00 on Monday, June 7th in Cornwall Library’s Community Room. Registration is required. Please call the library at 534-8282.
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