Powers, Dennis M.

Person

Staff Only

Biography

Dennis M. Powers first began writing poetry while practicing law in Santa Barbara. Later his work expanded to include newspaper and magazine articles, fiction, and nonfiction books.

His early nonfiction works include Legal Street Smarts (1994), Beating the Tough Times (1995), Legal Expense Defense (1995), The Office Romance (1998), and The Internet Legal Guide (2001). In 2005, Dennis published The Raging Sea, his first book about maritime stories and events. Other books in this genre include Treasure Ship (2006), Sentinel of the Seas (2007), Taking the Sea (2008), and Tales of the Seven Seas: The Escapades of Captain Dynamite Johnny O'Brien (2010).

Living in Ashland, Oregon inspired Dennis to research local history. He wrote hundreds of scripts and historical treatises for local radio programs. He created the local history book, Images of America: Gold Hill (2010) to benefit the Gold Hill Historical Society. He also created an audiobook, “Past and Present: What You Might Not Know (But Want To) About Southern Oregon History" (2013) and used the proceeds to contribute to local charitable causes.

Dennis received a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Colorado in Boulder, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Law School, and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. He is Professor Emeritus of business law at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon and resides there with his wife, Judy.

Found in 352 Collections and/or Records:

Material request/permission forms and correspondence (14 of 14), 1870-2006, bulk 2006

File — Box 08: Series MSS043:02 [Barcode: 35138008124171], Folder: 11

Identifier: MSS043:02.08.11

Scope and Contents These materials include various reproduction request forms and permission of use forms (largely for photographs), as well as several letters of correspondence between Powers and the various institutions from whom he was requesting materials, as well as the editors and publishers of his books. Also included are reproductions of the multiple photographs and documents from said institutions, some of which date back to the nineteenth century. Most of these materials are related to shipbuilding...

Dates: 1870-2006, bulk 2006

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers / Materials regarding the books “Treasure Ship" and “Taking the Sea”

Materials on the Cresent City tsunami, 1964, 1985

File — Box 03: Series MSS043:01 [Barcode: 35138008124015], Folder: 9

Identifier: MSS043:01.03.09

Scope and Contents

The materials relate to the earthquake originating in Anchorage, Alaska that caused the tsunami in Crescent City and stories about the damage. Powers has designated and ordered the reports by type. These types include clean up, politics, ham radio, gasoline, security, and fires.

Dates: Majority of material found in 1964, 1985

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers / Materials regarding the book “The Raging Sea”

Materials regarding “Tales of the Seven Seas: The Escapades of Captain Dynamite Johnny O’Brien”, 1851-2010

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS043:04

Scope and Contents

The series contains materials related to Dennis Powers' historical research and the writing of the book “Tales of the Seven Seas: The Escapades of Captain Dynamite Johnny O’Brien." The materials include papers concerning the publication and the promotion for the book.

Dates: 1851-2010

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers

Materials regarding the book “The Raging Sea”, 1999-2000s

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS043:01

Scope and Contents

The series contains materials related to Dennis Powers' historical research and the writing of the book “The Raging Sea." The materials include papers concerning the publication and the promotion for the book. “The Raging Sea" was published in 2005.

Dates: 1999-2000s

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers

Materials regarding the books “Treasure Ship" and “Taking the Sea”, 1916-2009

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS043:02

Scope and Contents

The series contains materials related to Dennis Powers' historical research and the writing of the books “Treasure Ship," and "Taking the Sea." The materials include papers concerning the publication and the promotion for the book. “Treasure Ship" was published in 2006. “Taking the Sea,” was published in 2009.

Dates: 1916-2009

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers

Mega Disasters

File — Box 11: Series MSS043:01 [Barcode: 35138008124098], Object: 15

Identifier: MSS043:01.11.15

Scope and Contents

A digital video disc from Creative Differences Productions entitled "Mega Disasters West Coast Tsunami."

Dates: 1999-2000s

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers / Materials regarding the book “The Raging Sea”

Michaela Hamilton, publisher, 2004

File — Box 05: Series MSS043:01 [Barcode: 35138008124031], Folder: 1

Identifier: MSS043:01.05.01

Scope and Contents

The correspondences between Dennis Powers and Michaela Hamilton, his publisher, concerns the book "The Raging Sea."

Dates: 2004

Found in: Southern Oregon University, Hannon Library / Dennis M. Powers maritime papers / Materials regarding the book “The Raging Sea”

Mixed Media Maritime Research materials (1 of 8), 1968-2009

File — Box 14: Series MSS043:02 [Barcode: 35138008124239], Folder: 1

Identifier: MSS043:02.14.01

Scope and Contents

The materials include mostly images, both in digital (CD-ROM) and print form related to Powers' research for both "Treasure Ship" and "Taking the Sea." Also included is audio from interviews with Powers about his books and some conducted by Powers with other individuals.

Dates: 1968-2009