In 1681, just twenty-eight humble log cabins built around a marshy green made up what is today Waterbury, Connecticut. The town flourished, and by 1850, its brass- and button-making industries welcomed the Industrial Revolution. When the call came for the Civil War and World Wars I and II, Waterbury gave generously: buttons, to adorn United States military uniforms; and young soldiers, to fight for freedom and become heroes. A Brief History of Waterbury details the ebb and flow of this Connecticut town the climb to its height, the struggles through adversity and scandal and the glory of modern-day triumphs. In this endlessly intriguing account, authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray uncover the true reaches of Waterbury's dynamic spirit.
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In its early days, Waterbury was a muddy swamp, a breeding ground for pestilence and mosquitoes. Yet the town’s early settlers rarely strayed from the path of Puritan righteousness. By the turn of the twentieth century, however, this rigorously policed, morally upright community had become what one politician called a “crossroads of slime and evil.” Authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray document the major episodes that gave Waterbury the nickname “Sin City.”
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The John Bale Book Company is owned and operated by Dan Gaeta and his wife Edith Reynolds. Dan is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers of America Association (ABAA) and a regular participant of bookfairs throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Our specialties include fine bindings, Americana, and ephemera items. Our inventory includes more than 20,000 volumes within our retail space, 45,000 online, and a hearty selection of prints and ephemeral items.
The John Bale Book Company Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Most Saturdays 10-3. The menu includes sandwiches, soup, salads, and desserts as well as freshly brewed coffee drinks, teas, and cold beverages.
If you're not in the mood to eat, feel free to browse our retail books.
To get on our list for the daily soup and specials, give us a call with your email address. Copies of our menu are available at the counter.
Our cafe uses the freshest ingredients from local suppliers: Boars Head meat, Sweet Maria Cookies, Passalaqua espresso, Harney teas, Redding Roasters Coffee, and fresh produce from Jarjuras.
