Jodi Solomon Speakers: Authors and Writers

AUTHORS AND community reads

TED CONOVER Winner of the National Book Critics Award for his book, Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing. Ted Conover’s extreme experiences on the edge of American life have given him plenty of stories, and storytelling is what he brings to his presentation: tales of the adrenaline- filled halls of Sing Sing, of crossing the border with Mexican illegals, of “the kind of risks you sometimes need to take to learn something new.” NURUDDIN FARAH International award winning Somali novelist, whose themes focus on women's liberation and political and individual freedoms in his homeland. Widely recognized as the best contemporary African writer of our time, his stories are vivid reminders of living through cultural conflicts. LINDA HOGAN Linda Hogan is a Chickasaw poet, novelist, and essayist. She is the author of several books of poetry and a collection of short fiction. Her books have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize as well as the National Book Critics Award. Her works include Mean Spirit, The Book of Medicines, Rounding the Human Corners and The Woman Who Watches Over the World. More on this speaker. (PDF 388K) DR. CHARLES JOHNSON National Book Award winner Charles Johnson is a storyteller who ingeniously braids history, philosophy, and imagination in making post-modern fiction of the highest order, weaving intellect and artistry to express his belief in the power of the past to shape the present. A philosopher, literary critic, cartoonist, essayist, novelist, short story writer and screenwriter, his books include Middle Passage, Dreamer and Dr. King’s Refrigerator: And Other Bedtime Stories. More on this speaker. (PDF 300K) DAN MOLDEA An unrelenting investigative journalist, best-selling author Dan Moldea focuses on the world of organized crime in America in the highly acclaimed Hoffa Wars and Dark Victory. His controversial book Interference linked the NFL to the Mafia and embroiled Moldea in a landmark legal battle. He has also published the definitive books on the murder of Robert Kennedy, the O.J. Simpson case, and Vincent Foster's suicide. alfred lubrano Lubrano speaks from both personal experience and his work as a journalist about the role of class, culture and education across generations. The author of the books Limbo: Blue-Collar Roots, White-Collar Dreams and Sons on Fathers, and a feature writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, he has won more than a dozen journalism awards. neil degrasse tyson As Director of the Hayden Planetarium and host of the PBS magazine “NOVA Science NOW”, Dr. Tyson is one of the most high profile astrophysicists in America. He hopes to use the state-of-the-art Hayden to capture the scientific curiosity of a new generation of young people. His recent books include One Universe: At Home in the Cosmos, Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries, and Origins, the companion book to his acclaimed four-hour miniseries on the PBS program “NOVA.” ira rifkin Globalization has changed the world, but not to everyone’s liking. Some are angered by globalization’s challenge to traditional religious and cultural patterns; others decry its aggressive capitalism. Will the tensions produce a full-blown clash of civilizations? What do the leading religions say? Rifkin, an award-winning journalist, is the author of Spiritual Perspectives on Globalization: Making Sense of Economic and Cultural Upheaval.		PATRICE GAINES An award winning former Washington Post reporter, Ms. Gaines works to empower girls and young women at risk, drawing from her experiences on the streets and in prison. She is co-founder of Brown Angel Center, providing formerly incarcerated women and their families with the tools to renew their lives. Gaines is author of Laughing in the Dark and Moments of Grace: Meeting the Challenge to Change. She currently is doing commentaries for National Public Radio. PAM HOUSTON Pam Houston is the author of Cowboys Are My Weakness and the novel Sight Hound, and editor of the anthology Women on Hunting. A part time river guide and hunting guide, her narratives navigate the landscape of relationships against the backdrop of the Rockies. Pam's articles appear regularly in Elle, Allure, Vogue, Food & Wine, Mirabella, and Travel and Leisure. View a video clip of this speaker. CHARLES cameron MANN A powerful storyteller, Mann’s most recent book 1491 explores the history of the Americas before Columbus. A three-time National Magazine Award finalist, he has received awards for his articles and books on everything from emerging technologies to the business of medicine to endangered species. LISA SEE Drawing on the history of her own family and community, See draws her readers into the rich tapestry of life in both China and the United States through her acclaimed novels Flower Net, The Interior, Dragon Bones and, most recently, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family, was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book. http://www.lisasee.com RICHARD RODRIGUEZ Essayist Richard Rodriguez discusses how America – and every American - is shaped by the continual interaction of cultures, blurring boundaries between “black” and “white”, Hispanic and Anglo. He is the author of the critically acclaimed books Hunger of Memory, Days of Obligation: An Argument With My Mexican Father and Brown: The Last Discovery of America. View a video clip of this speaker. More on this speaker. (PDF 108K) eugene linden Endangered animals, the biodiversity crisis, threats to water supplies, global deforestation, and the politics of the environment are just some of the issues Linden tackles in his research and writing. His new book Winds of Change shows how civilizations become prosperous and complacent during good weather, only to collapse as a result of drastic climate changes and their consequences. damali ayo Author, radio essayist and performer, her work generates a fresh dialogue on race and diversity. Her satirical book How to Rent a Negro has been acclaimed as "one of the most trenchant and amusing commentaries on contemporary race relations." Ayo brings stories, humor, and a unique insight to help audiences find their own solutions to pressing challenges of diversity in their communities. http://www.damaliayo.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damali_ayo View a Video of this speaker More on this speaker. (PDF 1.9 MB) Are you ready to fix racism? (PDF)
For additional writers and authors...please call our toll free number 1-800-669-2857 or email us at jodi@jodisolomon.biz