Remarkable Planet

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. This was a surprisingly fun lecture where I learned a lot of interesting things about the natural world. Author Theodore H. Fleming explored the nuances of nectar-feeding bats and birds, while author Neil Shubin shared insights about being a researcher at the planet’s poles. As aContinue reading “Remarkable Planet”

Religion, Politics and Money 

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. The panel included authors Sarah Jones, Katherine Stewart, and Sarah McCammon. While the saying goes that religion, politics, and money are three topics that should never be brought up at a dinner party, these experts were ready to engage in a lively discussion about these subjects.Continue reading “Religion, Politics and Money “

Crazy Iconic

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. From the iconic Grand Canyon to the people and places showcasing Arizona’s wild side, authors Richard Grant, Kyle Paoletta, and Yolonda Youngs shared their perspectives on historical and contemporary subjects. Overall, the lecture was enjoyable and filled with various stories about Arizona. A significant portion focusedContinue reading “Crazy Iconic”

Thrillseekers and Wanderers

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. This was easily my favorite lecture of the entire festival. I could have listened to Hampton Sides and Kevin Fedarko banter for hours; it was truly a shame this conversation lasted only one hour. When Kevin Fedarko was asked to define was adventure was, he saidContinue reading “Thrillseekers and Wanderers”

Past as a Lens to the Future 

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. Three historians—David Daley, Jeffrey Toobin, and Craig Unger—explored key moments in the history of the Republican Party over the past several decades. Their analysis aimed to shed light on the current direction of our country and what we might anticipate for the future. They covered topicsContinue reading “Past as a Lens to the Future “

Divided We Stand

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. This lecture explored political party affiliation, ideological beliefs, and the exercise of First Amendment freedoms. Highlighting significant divisions within American society, the authors approached these topics from diverse perspectives.  This event was recorded if you’re interested in watching the panel discussion. The lecture began with JonathanContinue reading “Divided We Stand”

Our New Status Quo

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. I arrived early to get a good spot in line for this talk because I feared it would fill up quickly and I would be turned away, just like I was for a previous lecture by Ryan Mac about Elon Musk. I wasn’t alone in myContinue reading “Our New Status Quo”

The Dangerous Manipulators

Here’s another installment from my Tucson Festival of Books series. This lecture was about how misinformation and disinformation are hardly new tools for American politicians. These three authors (Clay Risen, David Rohde, and Michael Tackett) shared tales about three master manipulators: Joseph McCarthy, Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell. Overall, this was a very insightful discussion. InsteadContinue reading “The Dangerous Manipulators”

Tucson Festival of Books, 2025

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing some highlights from the Tucson Festival of Books I attended on March 15-16. The first lecture I attended was titled “The Metals Powering Our World.” It featured authors Vince Beiser and Ernest Scheyder, who sat down with geologist Carmie Garzione to discuss the complexities and unintendedContinue reading “Tucson Festival of Books, 2025”