Abigail Adams
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Time: 12:00:00 PM–1:00:00 PM

Woody Holton, associate professor of history at the University of Richmond, will discuss and sign his latest book. Abigail Adams not only offers a surprising new perspective on the famous events of Adams’s life but demonstrates that family dramas—from unplanned pregnancies to untimely deaths (three of Abigail’s five children died before she did)—could be just as heartbreaking, significant, and inspiring. The untold story of Adams’s domestic struggles often reads like a Jane Austen novel, and Holton, the winner of numerous prizes for his previous books, is just the person to tell it. A beautifully written, nuanced portrait of an undoubtedly complicated and fascinating woman, the book sheds new light on a much beloved icon of American history and brings the modern reader to a better understanding of one of the best-known but least understood characters on the country’s early political stage.

How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Time: 12:00:00 PM–1:00:00 PM

Marietta McCarty, an educational consultant and assistant professor of philosophy at Piedmont Virginia Community College, will discuss and sign How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most. She shows how the heartbeats of philosophy—clear thinking, quiet reflection, and good conversation—are essential ingredients in a well-lived life. McCarty has been introducing philosophy to children and guiding parents and educators to do the same for nearly 20 years. McCarty's last book, Little Big Minds, was a New York Times best-seller and explained why children from kindergarten through the 8th grade should be introduced to philosophy in order to help develop critical thinking skills and deepen appreciation for others.

MINING THE TREASURE HOUSE TALK
Greetings from Richmond: Early 20th Century Postcard Collections
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Time: 12:00:00 PM–1:00:00 PM

Tom Ray (collections management coordinator at the Library of Virginia) and Ray Bonis (archival assistant for reference and Richmond history, Special Collections and Archives, Virginia Commonwealth University's James Branch Cabell Library) will discuss and sign their new book, Greetings from Richmond. The book invites you to step back in time to enjoy nearly 250 color postcard views of Virginia's capital city and its architecture as it looked during the first half of the 20th century.

For previous book talks please visit our calendar of events.