Education

Book club forming in advance of visit from best-selling author Vowell

In anticipation of an upcoming visit from best-selling author Sarah Vowell, the College of Education is organizing a book club for persons interested in reading her work.

Vowell, The New York Times’ best-selling author of five nonfiction books on American history and culture, will be visiting Penn State on April 9 to discuss her most recent book, "Unfamiliar Fishes" (2011).

By examining the connections between the American past and present, Vowell offers personal and often humorous accounts of anything 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 is the intriguing history of Hawaii, which was 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.

To join the book club, contact Heather Decker at had3@psu.edu, or phone 814-863-1489 by March 12.

The event is sponsored by the College of Education, with support from the College of the Liberal Arts and Schreyers Honors College.
 

Last Updated January 9, 2015

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