Tuesday, November 4, 7 p.m.
GARRY WILLS
"'Negro President': Jefferson and the Slave Power". The distinguished historian (Pulitzer Prize winner for "Lincoln at Gettysburg") probes the heart of Jefferson’s presidency, revealing how the might of the slave states was a concern behind Jefferson's most important decisions and policies. Presented in conjunction with the American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives exhibit on view at Getty Gallery, Central Library.

Wednesday, November 5, 7 p.m.
SIMON WINCHESTER
"The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary." The author of "The Professor and the Madman" brings to life the myriad characters involved in the creation of the remarkable Oxford English Dictionary, from the appointment of the first editor, in 1879, to its triumphant publication in 1928.

Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m.
NATHANIEL PHILBRICK
"Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842." National Book Award winner for "In the Heart of the Sea," Philbrick tells the story of an astounding 87,000-mile exploration of the Pacific Ocean. Presented in conjunction with the "American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives" exhibit on view at Getty Gallery, Central Library.

Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m.
THOMAS CAHILL
"Sailing the Wine Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter." The author of "How the Irish Saved Civilization" brings his insight to the legacy of the ancient Greeks, those great gift-givers who entrusted to our keeping the singular treasures that make up the patrimony of the West.

Tuesday, November 18, 7 p.m.
LEO BRAUDY
Braudy will discuss his new work "From Chivalry to Terrorism: War and the Changing Nature of Masculinity" with Los Angeles Magazine Editor-in-Chief KIT RACHLIS. In a true tour de force, Braudy (Bing Professor of Literature at USC) ranges from Don Quixote to Napoleon to General Custer in describing the changing perceptions and images of masculinity as they relate to major wars and advances in technology.

Thursday, November 20, 7 p.m.
ALBERTO FUGUET
Novelist Fuguet unreels "The Movies of My Life (Las Peliculas de Mi Vida)." Dubbed the “Eminem of Chile” (New York Times), his ambitious new book reflects the dichotomy of a life alternating between Encino, California and Pinochet-ruled Chile.

Monday, November 24, 7 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH REVEREND BILLY
Direct from the Burning Man Festival and just in time for the holidays! The spiritual leader of the Church of Stop Shopping (aka New York performance artist Bill Talen) delivers credit card exorcisms and anti-consumerist raves with “the zeal of a street-corner preacher and the schmaltz of a street-corner Santa" (New York Times).

Tuesday, December 2, 7 p.m.
WILLIAM J. REHDER
Retired Los Angeles FBI agent once described as “America’s secret weapon in the war against bank robbers” discusses "Where the Money Is: True Tales from the Bank Robbery Capital of the World," a hard-boiled account (co-written with veteran crime reporter Gordon Dillon) on the creative pursuit of cash.

Wednesday, December 3, 7 p.m.
SIDNEY HARMAN - RESCHEDULED Thursday, January 8, 7 P.M.
Sidney Harman, CEO of Harman International and founder of the Program on Technology, Public Policy and Human Development at John F. Kennedy School of Government discusses his visionary ideas on leadership in "Mind Your Business: A Maverick's Guide to Business, Leadership, and Life."

Tuesday, December 9, 7 p.m.
FROZEN MUSIC
A slide photographic lecture by Gil Garcetti, former Los Angeles District Attorney, whose interpretive photographs of the steel skin of the Walt Disney Concert Hall evoke the mystery, fluidity, texture and form of Frank Gehry’s architectural lyrical shapes.

Friday, December 12, 7 p.m.
AN EVENING OF DUMMIES
Reconnect with your favorite blockheads! Join Kelly Asbury, director of the forthcoming Shrek 2 and the author of "Dummy Days: America’s Favorite Ventriloquists from Radio and Early TV," for an evening recalling the best of the Golden Age of ventriloquism. Surprise guests!