Ann Arbor's own Dr. Robert Bartlett will reflect on his amazing career as a doctor, inventor and, most recently, a writer of fiction. For many years, Dr. Bartlett was professor of surgery at the U-M Medical School, director of critical care/general surgery, and director of surgical intensive care at the U-M Health System. One of his greatest achievements, however, is as a pioneer in the development of prolonged extracorporeal circulation, including development of the technique for respiratory failure in newborn infants and children.

Mr. Shadid, the only journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Iraq, will discuss the world of Iraq and his award-winning book, 'Night Draws Near: Iraq's People In The Shadow of America's War,' a riveting account of ordinary people caught between the struggles of nations. Shadid went to war in Iraq neither embedded with soldiers nor briefed by politicians. Because he is fluent in Arabic, Shadid -- an Arab American born and raised in Oklahoma -- was able to disappear into the divided, dangerous worlds of Iraq.

Twenty-five years ago, Grace Shackman began writing articles about Ann Arbor's buildings, events, and people for the "Ann Arbor Observer." Her latest book compiles the best of these articles into eight sections: public buildings and institutions; the University of Michigan; transportation; industry; downtown Ann Arbor; recreation and culture; social fabric and communities; and architecture. Shackman will discuss her book, including her research methods, local history sources, and her experience with writing local history.

Michigan author and American Book Award winner Thomas Lynch will discuss his newly-released book, 'Booking Passage: We Irish and Americans,' in which he reflects on his journeys to Ireland and the binding ties of family, language and home place.

Jane Hamilton, award-winning author of "The Book of Ruth" and "A Map of the World," is back in top form with a richly textured novel, now in paperback, about a tragic accident and its effects on two generations of a family. She will make this special appearance to read from and discuss her compelling work "When Madeline Was Young." A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of cosponsor Shaman Drum Bookshop.Jane Hamilton lives, works, and writes in an orchard farmhouse in Rochester, Wisconsin. Her first novel, "The Book of Ruth," won the PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction.

David Barsamian is founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent award-winning weekly series based in Boulder, Colorado. In "Targeting Iran," Barsamian argues that Iran and the U.S. are on a collision course. Through interviews, the author presents the perspectives of three experts on Iran (Ervand Abrahamian, Noam Chomsky, Nahid Mozaffari); Iran's history, internal dynamics, competing forces and relations with Iraq and Afghanistan; and the consequences of U.S. policy.

Nancy Pearl, retired executive director of the Washington Center for the Book, is the model for, believe it or not, a new librarian action figure. She is also the author of Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason and its sequel, More Book Lust. Ms. Pearl will explain how her love of reading was fostered, how she became an author and why (why?!), she is now an action figure.

The Library is proud to host Joseph Lelyveld, executive editor of The New York Times from 1994 to 2001, as he discusses his new memoir and his illustrious career. Mr. Lelyveld held high leadership positions at The New York Times for twelve years. He has been a correspondent for The New York Times in London, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Washington, D.C. and South Africa.In his memoir, 'Omaha Blues: A Memory Loop,' Lelyveld unravels the tangled story of his father, a rabbi, and mother with equal measures of candor and tenderness.

Elizabeth Kostova's debut novel, "The Historian," has captured the top of several nationwide bestseller lists, including the local list for Ann Arbor. Its literary approach to horror and the Dracula legend has proved fascinating for the public. Join us as Elizabeth leads a discussion of this fascinating book.The story opens in 1972 Amsterdam when a teenage girl discovers a medieval book and a cache of yellowed letters in the library of her diplomat father. This find involves her in the legend of Dracula and horrors that she could not have forseen.

During the past few years, two new slave manuscripts have surfaced. Each is an authentic, handwritten memoir of the escape to freedom of a young male slave during the Civil War. David Blight, Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition at Yale University and the nation's leading expert on race during and after the Civil War, was commissioned to combine these narratives into his book, "A Slave No More." Blight will discuss his newly published groundbreaking work.