Outlander: the Television Series

On a day when people are focused on the Presidential Election, the history nerd in me comes out in another way.  Today, while on Facebook, I came across this post by one of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon:

"EXCLUSIVE: Starz has closed a deal to develop Outlander, a drama series based on Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling fantasy/romance/adventure series of books. Battlestar Galactica developer/executive producer Ron Moore will write the series adaptation, with Jim Kohlberg’s Story Mining and Supply Co producing. Sony Pictures TV is behind the project after acquiring rights to the books in the summer and attaching Moore, who is under an overall deal at the studio, to develop and write a series targeted for cable networks."

I actually had to suppress a scream of delight, not only because it would be strange, but also because I was "studying" in the library when I got the news.  The inner geek in me came out, and I got so excited that I simply had to share it with has many people as possible as soon as possible in hopes that someone would feel the same way I do about this wonderful and amazing series.

For those of you who are wondering what the heck the Outlander series is, let me give you the Reader's Digest version (which is a huge feat since each of the seven books published so far are about 700-1,000+ pages).  Long story short, the series follows Claire and Jamie.  Claire is a former war nurse living in England right after World War II.  She goes with her husband, Frank, on a second honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands to spend some time together after being separated by the war (he was a soldier and she was a nurse).  While exploring one day, Claire touches a henge (like Stonehenge only smaller and even more secluded...if that's even possible), and she's transported back to 18th century Scotland where she meets the incredibly good looking Jamie Fraser.  Claire eventually falls in love with Jamie, but she's torn because she still loves her husband, Frank.  The duration of the series chronicles Jamie and Claire's relationship.  Jamie becomes in the Bonnie Prince Charlie Rebellion, and Claire uses her knowledge of the future to help her Scottish husband survive in the tumultuous time, not just during Bonnie Prince Charlie but also the American Revolution and other important events of the time.

These books come highly recommended, although they are incredibly long, so keep that in mind.  Check them out though.  They shouldn't be too hard to find in the bookstore or the library.