Revelatory New Book Details U.S. World’s Fairs

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History and Expo Enthusiast Mike Gregory Catalogues Past History and Present State of World’s Fairs

Las Vegas, NV, July 24, 2009 — The World’s Fairs and Expositions have become an American tradition ingrained into our culture for over 150 years. The lasting effect of these fairs, held in almost every major city in the U.S., can be seen in the architectural artifacts left behind and the mark of the fair left on each state’s unique history. Many fairs brought to light new innovations in technology and architecture that are essential to our understanding of these areas today. History and exposition (expo) enthusiast Mike Gregory brings readers up close to the excitement and feat of organization that was each World’s Fair in his new nonfiction book, “Expo Legacies: Names, Numbers, Facts & Figures” (published by AuthorHouse).

As a young boy, Gregory visited his first World’s Fair with his family as they drove through Washington and stopped at the 1974 Exposition in Spokane. Years later, Gregory became a self-professed aficionado of all things World’s Fair of the U.S. In keeping with his disposition, “Expo Legacies” catalogues the fairs and expositions that have been held within the U.S. in chronological order, citing statistics and the remnants of the fairs that can still be found today.

Easy to read and understand, each chapter in “Expo Legacies” focuses on one of 36 fairs that took place throughout the U.S. between 1853 and 1992. Following a brief history of the organization and construction involved, Gregory provides readers with a section of informative statistics. He includes information about opening and closing dates, the site and buildings, exhibitors, attendance, participating world nations and financial information. Lastly, Gregory delves into the evolution of these constructions once the fair has ended.

The vestiges of these grand affairs have been virtually erased and left unknown to posterity, except for a couple hundred buildings and pavilions scattered across the U.S., down from what were originally a few thousand. Gregory seeks these out to find those architectural artifacts that have withstood the test of time, chronicling their evolution from World Fair to the present. For the once-treasures of the fair, he presents those still standing or repurposed as landmarks or parks used by hundreds of people today. Ideal for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts and exposition fans alike, “Expo Legacies” offers a fascinating, encyclopedic summary of the U.S. World’s Fairs’ history and legacy.

Mike Gregory was born in Battle Creek, Mich., and attended Western Michigan University intent on teaching history and geography at the secondary level. He taught in Takasaki, Japan before moving to Las Vegas to teach at the elementary level. His travels to World Fairs have taken him all over the world, including Australia, Asia, Europe and throughout America. He currently lives in Las Vegas with his son, Kaven. “Expo Legacies” is his second published work after “Forgotten Years of Battle Creek.”

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

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