117 ratings | 2 reviews | avg rating:4.16

Chris’s Year In Books

Chris’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Chris’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Chris’s 2025 Year in Books

Chris Flanders’s Followers (11)

Chris’s Bookshelves

to-read (1)
currently-reading (97)
read (126)

Chris’s Friends

Chris hasn't connected with their friends on Goodreads, yet.

Chris Flanders

Goodreads Author

Born

in Jamestown, NY, The United States

Genre

Historical Fiction, Fiction, History

Influences

David McCullough

Member Since

November 2014

edit data

Chris Flanders is a historical nonfiction author dedicated to uncovering the forgotten stories, remarkable people, and transformative events that shaped 19th-century America. A retired Cardiac Nurse Practitioner with a lifelong passion for history, Chris combines rigorous research with deeply human storytelling to bring overlooked pioneers and regional histories back into the light.

Her love of history began with her father, Bill, who always had something for her to read whenever she visited—whether it was a clipping from last night’s newspaper or a bookmarked section from an 1868 tome on Civil War weaponry. His mission was simple: get her hooked on history. And it worked.

When Chris retired, her father revealed that he had nearly completed t Chris Flanders is a historical nonfiction author dedicated to uncovering the forgotten stories, remarkable people, and transformative events that shaped 19th-century America. A retired Cardiac Nurse Practitioner with a lifelong passion for history, Chris combines rigorous research with deeply human storytelling to bring overlooked pioneers and regional histories back into the light.

Her love of history began with her father, Bill, who always had something for her to read whenever she visited—whether it was a clipping from last night’s newspaper or a bookmarked section from an 1868 tome on Civil War weaponry. His mission was simple: get her hooked on history. And it worked.

When Chris retired, her father revealed that he had nearly completed the family genealogy. Instead of handing her the finished tree, he asked her to join Ancestry.com and begin with herself, her children, and whoever she could enter without help. Slowly, he gave her more and more branches to add. The process of typing each name, birth year, and life detail drew her in deeply—transforming genealogical research into personal discovery and sparking a richer understanding of the lives that came before her.

That early love of history and genealogy continues to inspire her writing.

Chris’s first book—a detailed history of the Bemus Point–Stow Ferry—was written as a gift to her community. All profits from the book supported the ferry’s major hull restoration in 2020, reflecting her dedication to historical preservation in Western New York.

Her newest book, The Image Maker, focuses on three real men who played defining roles in America’s first oil boom: photographer John Mather, industrialist Charles Miller, and writer Patrick Boyle. Drawing from archives, period materials, and regional history, Chris offers a vivid, narrative-rich portrait of 19th-century Pennsylvania and the rise of the early petroleum industry.

When she isn’t writing, Chris enjoys gardening, birding, volunteering with environmental organizations, and spending time with her two sons and their growing families. Every summer, she attends the Chautauqua Institution’s nine-week literary season, which continues to fuel her passion for historical research and storytelling.

Chris writes both historical fiction and narrative nonfiction, guided by a desire to honor overlooked pioneers, preserve regional heritage, and bring America’s past to life for modern readers. ...more

Combine Editions
Chris Flanders’s books

Average rating: 4.92 · 24 ratings · 18 reviews · 4 distinct works

	The Image Maker 4.94 avg rating — 17 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Book of Fretz: An Emigrant's Story by Chris Flanders (Goodreads Author), William Flanders (Editor) 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Image Maker: Three Men Follow Their Dreams in the Pennsylvania Oil Fields it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	6 Knots it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2011	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Chris is Currently Reading

Chris Flanders is currently reading

None Stood Taller - The Complete Box Set: One of greatest love stories of World War Two

by Peter Turnham (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dec 10, 2025 08:19PM

Chris Flanders is currently reading

The Last Reunion

by Kayte Nunn (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dec 07, 2025 04:34PM

Chris Flanders is currently reading

Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1)

by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Aug 17, 2025 02:45PM

rss
Chris’s Recent Updates

Chris Flanders shared a quote “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots. -Marcus Garvey-” Chris Flanders
Jan 15, 2026 12:17PM · like · more quotes by Chris Flanders
Chris Flanders rated a book it was amazing Twist by Colum McCann (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 06, 2026 08:59AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Twist by Colum McCann. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Twist by Colum McCann <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders rated a book really liked it Sweet Water by Cara Reinard (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 06, 2026 08:59AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sweet Water by Cara Reinard. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sweet Water by Cara Reinard <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders rated a book really liked it Our Mothers' War: American Women at Home and at the Front During World War II by Emily Yellin (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 06, 2026 08:59AM · like
Chris Flanders is currently reading None Stood Taller - The Complete Box Set: One of greatest love stories of World War Two by Peter Turnham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 10, 2025 08:19PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of None Stood Taller - The Complete Box Set by Peter Turnham. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — None Stood Taller - The Complete Box Set by Peter Turnham <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders is currently reading The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 07, 2025 04:34PM · like
Chris Flanders is currently reading Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 17, 2025 02:45PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders rated a book really liked it Tart: Misadventures of an Anonymous Chef by Slutty Cheff	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 17, 2025 02:44PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Tart by Slutty Cheff. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Tart by Slutty Cheff <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders rated a book it was amazing The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 12, 2025 06:27PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Chris Flanders rated a book it was amazing Last Patient of the Night (An AJ Docker Medical Thriller, #1) by Gary Gerlacher (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 01, 2025 07:10PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Last Patient of the Night by Gary Gerlacher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Last Patient of the Night by Gary Gerlacher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">