Banned Books Week Event: To Kill A Mockingbird Discussed By Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker Mary McDonagh Murphy - Author Of 'Scout, Atticus & Boo: A Celebration Of Fifty Years Of To Kill A Mockingbird'

In observance of Banned Book Week (September 25 - October 2) as well as the 50th anniversary of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Mary McDonagh Murphy, will show excerpts from her new documentary 'Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird' and discuss the documentary and her book 'Scout, Atticus & Boo: A Celebration Of Fifty Years Of To Kill A Mockingbird.' She will also cover the controversies surrounding 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' and why it has been one of the most challenged books in America.Mary McDonagh Murphy's new documentary and book explore the novel's power, influence and popularity. With reflections from Anna Quindlen, Tom Brokaw, James McBride, James Patterson, Wally Lamb, Oprah Winfrey and more, they chronicle the many ways the novel has shaped lives and careers. Harper Lee has not given an interview since 1964, but Murphy's reporting, research and rare interviews with the author's sister and friends add new details and photos to the remarkable story of an astonishing phenomenon. A book signing will follow and books will be available for sale at the event.

University of California-Santa Barbara Professor Nelson Lichtenstein Discusses His Book 'The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business'

Wal-Mart is the world's largest company and it sets the standard, both socially and commercially, for a huge swath of the global economy. UCSB History Professor Nelson Lichtenstein will demonstrate how the company's success has spread evangelical Protestantism into the workplace, made South China an American workshop, and pushed American politics to the right, when he discusses his widely-praised book, 'The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business.' This event, which is co-sponsored by the University of Michigan's Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies, will include a book signing and books will be on sale at the event.

Best-selling Author Linda Greenlaw Discusses Her New Book 'Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea'

Linda Greenlaw, America's only female swordfish boat captain, whose life was featured in the book and film 'The Perfect Storm,' will discuss her new book, 'SEAWORTHY: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea.' She has written three New York Times bestselling nonfiction books about her life as a commercial fisherman, and has also written a cookbook and two mysteries. This new book marks her return to non-fiction and aptly chronicles her return to one of the world's most dangerous professions: swordfishing. This event will also include a booksigning and books will be on sale, courtesy of Border's.

Michael Erlewine Discusses His Book 'Blues in Black & White: The Landmark Ann Arbor Blues Festivals'

Michael Erlewine, the award-winning archivist of popular culture, who founded and built the largest music review database in the world, All-Music Guide, has written a fascinating new book that chronicles the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival.The first Ann Arbor Blues Festivals, in 1969 and 1970, brought together the greatest-ever selection of blues performers and helped bring modern blues music to a wider audience. Never before had such a far-reaching list of performers been assembled. These groundbreaking festivals were the seed that grew into the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, which was continued annually for many years.

Kris Carr, Author of "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips," Presents From Illness to Activist

When Kris Carr was diagnosed in 2003 with a rare liver cancer (Stage IV) with metastasis to the lungs, she decided to exert control over the things there were in her power: her attitude, her diet, and her lifestyle. In the process, she has become an outspoken advocate for living your best life with cancer, promoting a message that focuses on health and wellness and motivating her audiences to become empowered participants for change.Kris chronicled her journey with cancer in the 2007 documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, and has written two books, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, and Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor: More Rebellion and Fire for Your Healing Journey. Kris has been featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. At this event, she will discuss her remarkable journey and show clips from her documentary.Two medical professionals from the University of Michigan will join Kris after her presentation for a panel discussion focusing on the nutritional and psychological aspects of living life with cancer: Zora Djuric, PhD, is a Research Professor at the University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine and performs research at the Cancer Center in the U-M Medical Center. Laurel Northouse PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Mary Lou Willard French Professor of Nursing at the University of Michigan. She is also Co-Director of the Socio-Behavior Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.A book signing will follow and books will be on sale at the event. This event is made possible through a Partners In Research grant from the National Institutes of Health and is cosponsored by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach Office, Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, the UM Taubman Health Sciences Library, and the Ann Arbor YMCA LIVESTRONG Program.

Andrea Lyon Discusses Her Memoir: Angel of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer

Andrea Lyon, a nationally recognized expert in the field of death penalty defense and the first woman in the nation to serve as lead defense attorney on a death penalty case will discuss her fascinating new memoir 'Angel Of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer.' Over the past 30 years Lyon has defended and tried more than 130 murder cases, all for clients who could not afford a lawyer, nineteen of which were death penalty cases (she won all 19).

Author Doug Stanton Discusses His Book - Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story Of A Band Of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan

Bestselling author Doug Stanton will discuss the amazing story of the small band of Special Forces soldiers who went on a secret mission to battle the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan immediately following September 11th, and achieved victory.

National Library Week Author Event: Grant Brown Discusses His Michigan Notable Book 'Ninety Years Crossing Lake Michigan: The History Of Ann Arbor Car Ferries'

In 1892, the Ann Arbor Car Ferries shook the transportation world by doing what was then deemed impossible, carrying loaded railroad cars by ship across the 62 miles of open water between Frankfort, Michigan and Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Crossing the lake with loaded freight cars was a treacherous task that presented daily obstacles.

Who Is Anton Chekhov?

Join Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Michael Makin and Residential College Drama Lecturer Katherine Mendeloff as they examine Chekhov's role in Russian literature and society and as transformer and innovator of Russian drama. U-M acting students will also perform several scenes from Uncle Vanya featuring costume, live music and other scenic elements, setting the stage for a lively discussion of Chekhov's classic play and the challenges set forth for actors and directors in mounting this production.

Author Gregory Orfalea Discusses His New Book: Angeleno Days - An Arab American Writer on Family, Place & Politics

There are more than 400,000 Arab Americans in Los Angeles--the largest contingent in America outside of Detroit. In his new book, 'Angeleno Days: An Arab American Writer On Family, Place And Politics,' Gregory Orfalea explores his own community and its political and social concerns. He agonizes over another destruction of Lebanon and examines in searing detail a massacre of civilians in Iraq. Books will be on sale at the event, which will also include a booksigning.Gregory Orfalea directed the Writing Program at Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges, and currently teaches Arab American Literature at Georgetown University.