If you’re a member or facilitator of a book club who’s looking for a great historical novel and dynamic presenter for your upcoming schedule, consider The American Zone by award-winning author Howard Shrier.
Set during construction of the Panama Canal in 1906, the novel is timely, thought-provoking and a thrilling read: “A masterpiece of historical crime fiction,” according to the Seaboard Review of Books, July 2025.
Author Howard Shrier is a dynamic speaker and presenter.
It blends real figures like President Theodore Roosevelt and Chief Engineer John Stevens with a fictional cast that brings to life the challenges and complexity of life in the U.S. Canal Zone. A two-time winner of Canada’s highest crime fiction prize, Shrier brings his gift for settings, characters and dialogue to this wild landscape with great effect.
Whether in person or via Zoom, Howard Shrier can offer your book club an unforgettable presentation that opens his writing process, his expansive research and informative takes on the racism and exploitation of Black workers that underpinned the Canal’s success. A trained stage actor, improvisor and teacher, he can handle any setting or situation with humour and heart.
“I don’t think I’ve read a better book that captures so much of the Zone’s dynamism—and I’ve been writing about the region for 30 years.” — Kirwin D. Shaffer, Professor of Latin American Studies, Penn State University
“Howard Shrier is a tremendous storyteller with a gift for weaving fact into fiction. The American Zone plunges the reader into history and brings it alive. By the end, you’ll not only know more about the digging of the Panama Canal, you’ll feel you were there when it happened.” – Trevor Cole, award-winning author of The Whisky King.
“Book clubbers: be sure to contact Howard Shrier to arrange an author visit. He was personable and so informative, providing additional information about the building of the canal and his research and writing process. Such a treat to have an author speak about his work.” — Book Club Facilitator Barb Rose, August 2025
“Our members in four U.S. states and two Canadian provinces thoroughly enjoyed both reading the book and hosting Howard on Zoom. He was an engaging, knowledgeable speaker who enriched our understanding of the Panama Canal and the politics behind its creation.” – Book Club Facilitator Julia Drake, June 2025
To book Howard for your club in person or via Zoom, or request a book club guide,
please email info@howardshrier.com
Upcoming Appearances and workshops: Mississauga Literary Festival, Sept. 12, 2025; North York Book Club, Sept. 16, 2025; Kingston Writers Festival, Sept. 20, 2025; Richmond Hill Book Club, Jan. 2026; San Miguel Writers Conference, Feb. 11-16, 2026.
