Sarah Vowell, New York Times bestselling author, will be visiting Penn State to talk about her most recent book, Unfamiliar Fishes. The Paterno Fellows Program is co-sponsoring her visit, so fellows and aspirants will have several opportunities to attend her talk, or to meet with her in a small group setting.
Sarah Vowell is the New York Times’ bestselling author of six nonfiction books on American history and culture. By examining the connections between the American past and present, she offers personal, often humorous accounts of everything from presidents and their assassins to colonial religious fanatics, as well as thoughts on American Indians, utopian dreamers, pop music and the odd cranky cartographer.
Vowell’s most recent book, Unfamiliar Fishes (2011), is the intriguing history of our 50th state, Hawaii, annexed in 1898. Replete with a cast of beguiling and often tragic characters, including an overthrown Hawaiian queen, whalers, missionaries, sugar barons, Teddy Roosevelt and assorted con men, Unfamiliar Fishes is another history lesson in Americana as only Vowell can tell it – with brainy wit and droll humor.
For more information about Sarah Vowell, please go to: http://barclayagency.com/vowell.html
Public Talk – No registration required
Thursday, October 4, 7:30 p.m., 101 Agricultural Science and Industries Building
Sarah Vowell will talk about her most recent book, Unfamiliar Fishes, at this event which is free and open to the public.
Small Group Opportunities
Students will have two opportunities to meet with Sarah Vowell in a small group setting. These events will be of special interest to students who are familiar with Vowell’s work, and who would like to learn more about her writing, including the writing process and the way she engages the media. She will be discussing Unfamiliar Fishes. Paterno Fellows will be joined by students from the College of Education in each of these sessions.
Participants must register in advance by sending an email to Barb Edwards <bae1@psu.edu> or by calling 814-863-4395. Space is limited to the first 12 students to reply for the 3:00 p.m. class, and the first 3 students for the 5:00 dinner. Please be sure to indicate which of the events you would like to attend. Registration closes on October 2.
Class Session – Registration required
Thursday, October 4, 3:00-4:00 p.m., 208 Chambers Building
Students who attend the class are encouraged to attend the public talk.Dinner with the Author – Registration required
Thursday, October 4, 5:00 p.m., The Nittany Lion Inn
Students who attend the dinner are required to attend the public talk.