DOVER - The Dover Public Library will be hosting "World War II in Akron" author Tim Carroll this Thursday at 6:30 pm as part of its Meet the Author Series. 

"World War II in Akron" focuses on the northeast Ohio city's contributions to the war effort and how the men and women of Akron dutifully played their part in the epic struggle. It includes the story of Keyes Beech, who ducked grenades as Marines raised the American flag at on Iwo Jima; of newspaper magnate John S. Knight, who watched the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri just five months after his son was killed in Germany; and of Akron Beacon Journal cartoonist Web Brown, who pledged his talent and his pen to boosting morale at home and abroad. 

Carroll was born and raised in Akron and attended Case Elementary, Litchfield Middle School and Firestone High School before obtaining a history degree from the University of Akron. Both of his grandfathers, John M. Carroll and John F. Ward, were drafted before Pearl Harbor and served overseas in the Pacific during World War II. 

Library Director Jim Gill says Carroll's presentation is sure to fascinate and inspire. 

"The war effort in this part of Ohio was huge," he says. "So many of us had loved ones or friends who have connections to the Akron World War II story." 

A book signing will follow the program, which is free and open to all. For more information or to register, call the Dover Public Library at 330-343-6123. 

DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY