Author of three books about New England, Ted Reinstein has always had his eye out—and his heart open—to the region’s true “underdogs:” people who have had to overcome harsh challenges and sometimes brutal setbacks, but who have survived, and even triumphed, in the face of adversity. And sometimes, the triumph is simply to have come out from darkness into light, and able to move forward, living a life of dignity and purpose. 

Meet underdogs like New Bedford’s Lynn Donahue, who seemed destined growing up to go the way of drugs and crime, but instead ended up adding the word, “Dr.” to her name. Meet Mabray “Doc” Kountze, who defied the odds against him to become the first Black sportswriter to receive a Red Sox press pass. And sometimes an underdog can be an entire city, like Gloucester, which has found a way to forge on from a heyday long gone, and a future that’s uncertain. It’s an hour-long visit around New England with some of the most inspiring, warm—even funny stories (Rich Benoit defied Tesla and built his own car!)—you’ve never heard. 

Complete with great photographs, and a Q&A with Ted. Register for this event and a Zoom link will be emailed the afternoon of the program.

Sponsored by the Billerica Public Library Foundation.