Bistro Bookers
Next meeting: April 14, 2026
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Book title: Cyrenius Chapin: Buffalo’s First Physician and War of 1812 Hero
Author: Thomas C. Rosenthal
Discussed by: The author
Book summary from the publisher:
Cyrenius Chapin tells the story of life in the young American republic through the experiences of a local physician, land speculator, and patriotic citizen. Chapin arrived in Buffalo in 1803 blessed with a forceful personality, infuriating gall, and a caring nature. He became a leader in the growing community, tending to its sick, training its future doctors, and engaging in local politics. A determined Federalist, he challenged Joseph Ellicott of the Holland Land Company, raised a family, and was a personal friend of Native American leaders. During the War of 1812, Dr. Chapin single-handedly resisted the British advance on the city but ultimately failed to prevent Buffalo’s burning by the royalist forces. Pneumonia struck him down in 1838 following his third attempt to drive the British out of upper Canada. Extensively researched, this is the story about the age of revolution and a time when American independence and self-determination were inseparable.
Event details
Date and time: Tuesday, April 14 @ 4:00 pm
Venue: Amherst Center for Senior Services (370 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228)
Suggested donation of $2 per person is greatly appreciated. Your donation helps Bistro Bookers to continue to hold these reviews and donate back to our community literacy programs. Your donation also allows us to purchase the featured book if necessary and give the reviewer a gift for their time.
You MUST reserve your seat by 3:00 pm on Friday, April 10 for this event by calling 716-636-3051 and providing your name and phone number. If you call to reserve for more than one person, you must provide each person’s name and phone number.
Coming up
Tuesday, May 19: Double feature of The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, both reviewed by Carol Ann Sackett
Tuesday, June 9: Double feature of Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson and Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King, both reviewed by Robert Poczik
See you at the next review!