Monday, July 22, 7 pm, at Boswell:

Journalist Carson Vaughan, a native Nebraskan, chats about his book with former Marquette Professor (and author of many wonderful novels) Larry Watson. Zoo Nebraska is the true story of small-town politics and community perseverance and of decent people and questionable choices.

Vaughan's elevator pitch, from his interview with the Los Angeles Review of Books: "I usually tell people that it’s topically about the rise and fall of a roadside zoo in rural Nebraska, and of course I mention the chimpanzee escape to hook them. But I’ve always viewed this book as more of a community portrait, and I keep telling people that I wouldn’t have spent 10 years writing a book about Royal if I didn’t think it served as something of a simulacrum for small towns everywhere. The issues I found simmering beneath the surface of Royal and its biggest attraction — obsession, isolation, big dreams, and big failures — were themes I have come to recognize in communities across the country."

Michael Wert, author of Samurai: A Concise History
The idea of the sword-wielding samurai, beholden to a strict ethical code and trained in deadly martial arts, dominates popular conceptions of the samurai. This legacy remains with us today in the legendary Akira Kurosawa films, the shoguns of HBO's Westworld, and countless renditions of samurai history in anime, manga, and video games. Marquette University Associate Professor of East Asian History Michael Wert brings to life the history of the real samurai, both famed and ordinary, who shaped Japanese history.
Love podcasts? Wert was recently on Historically Thinking with Al Zambone.

Charles Benjamin Schudson, author of Independence Corrupted: How America's Judges Make Their Decisions
Former Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Charles Benjamin Schudson explores the decision-making process of judges, going behind the bench to hear judges forging appellate decisions about life and death, multimillion-dollar damages, and priceless civil rights.

As political attacks on judges increase, Schudson calls for reforms to protect judicial independence and for vigilance to ensure justice for all. Independence Corrupted is invaluable for students and scholars, lawyers and judges, and all citizens concerned about the future of America's courts. If you'd like a taste of Schudson, here's an essay on the National Judicial College website about the practice of judge substitution.

Tom Miller, author of The Philosopher’s War
The Madison-based and Wauwatosa-born author returns to Boswell to talk about the second book in his thrilling adventure series that began with The Philosopher’s Flight.
The Philosopher’s War is the electrifying next chapter in Robert Weekes’s story, filled with heroic, unconventional women, thrilling covert missions, romance and, of course, plenty of aerial adventures. As a rookie Rescue and Evacuation flier on the front lines of World War I in France, Weekes came to save lives, but has no idea how far he’ll have to go to win the war.

Our bookseller-at-large Kelli O'Malley is also a big fan. We've been talking it up to the Harry Potter for grownups crowd (and I should note that one member replied "Harry Potter is for grownups") and others who liked Lev Grossman's The Magicians series.

Veronica Rueckert, author of Outspoken: Why Women’s Voices Get Silenced and How to Set Them Free
Peabody winner Veronica Rueckert, former host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s Central Time and now National Media Relations Specialist for University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses how women can claim the power of their voices and what needs to change so they can be heard. This event will feature a musical introduction by Boswellian and instrumentalist Olivia Valenza and vocalist Amanda Schoofs. C-Span will be taping this event.


Charles Springfield, author of The Less Is More Approach to Wine, in conversation with Vivian L King
Spend a delicious evening with certified sommelier and wine educator Charles Springfield, who offers a digestible serving of wine education, sprinkled liberally with generous pinches of entertainment, that will take you a journey from the origins of wine thousands of years ago to the present day. Let us know you're coming for this grapey good evening - RSVP right here today!
When equipped with the proper information, wine lovers can feel confident and empowered to make decisions that are better suited for their own personal enjoyment - not what someone else tells them they should or should not like or drink. Springfield offers an ideal guide for anyone getting into wine for the first time or people who've worked with wine for some time and want to deepen their understanding.
Springfield wants to make wine accessible, approachable and fun, both with his book, his wine classes, and his food and wine pairing events. He is part of a growing number of wine intellectuals and leaders of the new school in wine education throughout the United States that want to democratize wine for the enjoyment of the masses. You can get a taste of Springfield through his web series Maneuvering Wine with Style.

Monday, July 29, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Joey Grihalva, author of Milwaukee Jazz
Milwaukee music and cultural critic Joey Grihalva takes us on a jazz odyssey through his hometown, illuminating the histories and influence of local luminaries. This special evening will also feature songs performed by Milwaukee singer and author of the book’s foreword, Adekola Adedapo.


More on the Boswell upcoming events page.
Photo credits:
Tom Miller credit Abigail Carlin
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