Penfield Books

01/27/2025

Penfield Books and Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret are mentioned in this article:

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Forrest Heusinkveld a few weeks ago and

01/13/2025

This cold weather has us thinking about this 1988 release from Penfield Books! The author, Dr. Bernard Hillila, was a reverend, a professor at Valparaiso University, the president of Suomi College (Finlandia University), and a sauna enthusiast. This title is available for individual purchase on Amazon. For wholesale information, visit Penfield Books’ website.

Description:
Once again Bernard Hillila bares the importance of the sauna in the nature of “Finnishness,” with splashes of colorful as well as thoughtful insight. Bernie says,”...you may think ‘The Sauna Is’...something I’m too steamed up about! Nevertheless...if genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration, try thinking through your problems in a sauna!” For most Finns, the sauna is a way of life. Although growing in popularity throughout the world, the concept is sometimes misunderstood and misrepresented. This book defines the authentic sauna experience, and considers related historical, physiological, psychological, and moral issues. Information about sauna construction is also provided. It presents “some cold facts about that very hot place”...for the staunchest sauna advocates, sauna owner wannabes, and the curious. Read about the sauna strategy in governmental deliberations. Custonmarily the first item on the agenda for regularly scheduled meetings of the Finnish Cabinet is the sauna. Former President Urho Kekkonen has said of the sauna consultation, “It is a great leveler: there are no ministers, VIPs, laborers, or lumberjacks on the platform, only sauna mates.” Since the mood of the sauna is one of relaxation and shared enjoyment, the style of this book reflects that spirit, along with the author’s keen observations.

12/23/2024

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids IA have been selling our books, postcards, and magnets for decades. Here are some shots from their annual “Old World Christmas Market.”

12/03/2024

New works available by Marcia Wegman! Her book “Iowa Pastel Landscapes” was published by Penfield Books in 2014 and is still available.

11/16/2024

Michele Patrick served as a speech writer for the President’s Cabinet and the United States Senate. We published her book “Haunted Prague”, and her next book is underway. This video is from a Halloween appearance on WETA Classical in Washington DC. The discussion includes the importance of supernatural legends in Czech culture and the music of Antonin Dvorak. For the last several years Michele has hosted the Penfield Books table at the Czech Embassy Christmas Market in Washington DC.

09/30/2024

founder Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret is featured in today. She just received a posthumous award from and her name is going on a bridge in downtown Des Moines IA. A silver print of the photograph in the first slide is in the permanent collection of in NYC.

09/26/2024

Penfield Books founder Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret just received another posthumous award. A permanent plaque bearing her name will be installed on the iconic 'Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge' in downtown Des Moines IA.

08/19/2024

This story about Penfield Books' founder, Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret, is featured in Bob Campagna's exhibit at The History Center in Cedar Rapids IA!