DR. EDWARD hARRIS, who is executive director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum and also a Mid-Ocean News columnist, has published his second volume of Heritage Matters, a collection of essays that explore Bermuda's rich history and culture.

This second collection follows closely on the heels of Dr. Harris' first volume, which was published last year.

Dr. Harris, a trained archaeologist who is also a visiting professor at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, converted 52 weeks of his newspaper column from 2005 and 2006 to complete each volume, respectively.

According to the preface of the 111-page book, Heritage Matters Volume 2 "explains the integral role that war played in the development of Bermuda, the historical significance of the Casemates Barracks and the frequent visits by literary hero Mark Twain, who is quoted calling Bermuda his 'Isles of Rest'."

Dr. Harris is also adding another volume to his collection due out next May, in time for Heritage Month and the island's 400th anniversary celebrations.

Asked how many volumes readers can expect in the future, Dr. Harris wryly replied: "I have to catch up with Peter Woolcock (cartoonist and illustrator) who has several volumes of cartoons available."

Both volumes of Heritage Matters have been sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda Foundation and were designed by Paul Shapiro of Brimstone Media Ltd.

The front cover features a picture of the Mary Celestia, a Civil War blockade runner painted by a mysterious artist by the name of Edward James, who painted several pictures during this time period and then promptly disappeared.

"Edward James came to Bermuda for five years during the Civil War and painted some fantastic pictures," Dr. Harris said. "But we don't know where he came from or where he went when he left. All we have are these pictures he left behind."

Dr. Harris is also honing his cinematography skills in the hope of turning several of his historical essays into a short film.

He added that thanks to the sponsorship by Bank of Bermuda Foundation "several thousand" complimentary copies of Volume 2 will be given to schools, bus drivers and individuals involved with the island's tourist industry.

The book is available for purchase at $20 at local bookstores.