Noted Author To Visit Scranton
Author David McCullough has spent a career researching and recording the lives of great Americans such as John Adams, Harry Truman and George Washington. This Thursday, he will be dispensing some of that knowledge he’s obtained over the years when he takes the stage at the Scranton Cultural Center as a part of the Lackawanna County Library System lecture series.
“We’re very excited to have Mr. McCullough coming, and he’s very excited to be coming to Scranton. He speaks everywhere, and he’s a great supporter of libraries. He’s served on a number of library boards, and has said that if it wasn’t for us doing our job, he wouldn’t be able to do his job,” said event coordinator Mary Garm.
McCullough has written a number of books dealing with famous historical figures, including “John Adams,” a biography on the life of president John Adams, and most recently “1776,” an account of the pivotal year in the American Revolution, which has been on the best sellers list since its publication in 2005.
When he’s not writing best sellers, McCullough is on the road trying to educate people with what he’s learned as part of his lecture titled, “Leadership and the History You Don’t Know,” where he tries to shed some light on some areas of American history the average person might not be aware.
This goes along perfectly with the library’s lecture series, which every year, with the help of money granted to them by the Lackawanna County Office of Education and Culture, brings in four writers of interest to speak on their area of expertise. And while a history lesson is not usually thought of as a wild night out, Garm assures me that McCullough is not your high school history teacher.
“He’s not just a great writer and historian, but he’s also a great storyteller, He can really make history come alive. He talks about these things so vividly that you really feel like you’re there,” added Garm. “He’s not only going to be telling us about the lives of men like Truman and Washington, but also giving us an idea of what they were like.
“Every year we look for one major writer, and three who we feel will have success with a particular audience, and this year McCullough is our major writer. He has it all. Not only is he a great writer, and respected as a historian, but he’s also been recognized with almost every non-fiction award an author can receive.”
Those awards include receiving the Pulitzer Prize twice, the National Book Award, and the Francis Parkman Prize by the Society of American Historians.
If you’ve never had the chance to read any of McCullough’s work, all of his books are available for purchase right now at Border’s, who have partnered up with the library for the event. And you can also purchase any of his books before the lecture, which he will be signing after he has finished speaking.
Tickets for the event can be obtained by visiting the any Lackawanna County library, the Scranton Cultural Center box office, or the Everhart Museum. They are free of charge, simply showing a valid library card.
“We will not be selling any tickets, but if you don’t have a library card, all you have to do is come to the library and we’ll sign you up for one,” said Garm.
Don’t let Garm’s eagerness to accommodate confuse you though. Tickets for the event are going fast, so you should try and get yours as soon as possible.
“We’re expecting a large turnout based on the success of his recent book, ‘1776.’ We’ve already given away around 1,200, and it’s still a week away, so they’re going fast.”
go:
Who: Leadership and the History You Don’t Know;
a lecture by David McCullough
Where: Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Avenue
When: Thurs., Sept. 21, 7 p.m..
Cost: Free
Info: Call the Scranton Cultural Center at 570.344.1111
