Maryville Talks Books

Presented by Maryville University Library

Maryville Talks Books features lectures by noted authors. Admission is free and open to the public.
Seating is open on a first come, first served basis.For more information, contact Chris Hollenbeck; 314.529.6854.

Upcoming Presentations

May 10 – Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams - You Have No Idea *
7:00 p.m., Lecture/Q&A/Book Signing
Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. in St. Louis

A discussion and book signing with entertainer Vanessa Williams and her mother, Helen Williams.

When Vanessa Williams was growing up, she had a plan to become a Broadway star, and her mother was determined to help her achieve her goal. When Vanessa became the first African-American woman to win the title of Miss America but had to resign ten months later due to a nude photo scandal, their lives took some unexpected turns. Vanessa survived this setback, and many others to come, to enjoy a thirty-plus-year career as an award-winning singer and actress. “You Have No Idea” is an empowering celebration of the love between a mother and daughter and the life of a woman who beat the odds to achieve her destiny.

Ticket packages are $30 and include seating for two at the talk and book signing, as well as a copy of their book, “You Have No Idea.” For the Williams event, tickets are available at:https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/241196

*This is a ticketed event.

May 11 – Senator Bill Bradley - We Can All Do Better
7:00 p.m. – Lecture/Q&A/Book Signing
Auditorium, Maryville University

From one of the foremost political and cultural thought leaders of our time, New York Times best-selling author Senator Bill Bradley, comes We Can All Do Better, a game-changing and thought provoking book about how we can break our present cycle of despair, frustration, and cynicism permeating our country, and how American voters now have a unique opportunity to partake in a more participatory form of democracy. At this event, Senator Bradley will also acknowledge members of our community who are making a difference.

Bill Bradley has been a three-time basketball All-American at Princeton, an Olympic gold medalist, a Rhodes scholar, and a professional player for ten years with the New York Knicks. Elected to the Senate from New Jersey in 1978, 1984, and 1990, he has authored extensive legislation, including the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Bradley is the author of five other books, including several New York Times bestsellers.

May 30 – Frank Deford - Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter
7:00 p.m., Lecture/Q&A/Book Signing
Maryville University Auditorium

Acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford has written and reported for Sports Illustrated since 1962 and is well known for his commentary on NPR’s Morning Edition and his work on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He is also known for his work to combat cystic fibrosis, after his daughter, Alexandra, died from the disease in 1980.

His book, Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter is as wide-ranging as Frank Deford’s remarkable career, in which he has chronicled figures from just about every sport in nearly every medium. From the Mad Men-like days of Sports Illustrated in the 1960s to Deford’s visit to apartheid South Africa with tennis great Arthur Ashe, Over Time is packed with intriguing people and stories.

Upcoming Authors

June 4 – Douglas Brinkley – Cronkite
June 11 – Buzz Bissinger – Father’s Day

2011-12 Author Visits

Alexander McCall Smith
Lisa See
Luis Urrea *
Howard Markel *
Charlene Bry
Stacy Schiff *
Daniel H. Wilson *

2010-11 Author Visits

Justin Cronin *
Sister Madonna Buder, ’52
Helen Simonson *
Wes Moore
Michele Norris
Ron Chernow
Steven Johnson
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri

Past authors in the Series

Anna Quindlen
Daniel Pink
John Grogan
Ken Robinson

* More videos of the author can be seen in the HEC-TV series, A Conversation With.

Maryville Talks Books is also available on iTunes.