The Celebrity Lecture Series

Lectures by David Halberstam, Garry Wills, and Tom Wolfe discuss aspects of this decade, broaching such topics as the turbulent world of politics, the civil rights movement, and the changing field of journalism.

Derek Walcott and August Wilson, among others, expound on the distinctions of being African Americans within both academia and in society. They explain aspects prevalent to the African American experience, including art, history, culture, and politics. David Halberstam shares his thoughts on the civil rights movement, especially those events in the 1950s.

Speakers including David McCullough, Jane Smiley, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., discuss the complexity of cultural experience in the United States, including the pessimism that can pervade American society and the suppression that threatens to destroy liberal thought.

Authors, including Arthur Miller and Amy Tan, read from their autobiographies and share biographical stories in order to share their style and writings with the audience.

This topic covers a range of lectures, from William Kennedy's discussion of the cultural traditions of governing forces in Albany during the largely Irish Catholic Democrat rule, to Isabel Allende reflection upon the importance of fictional creation across cultures.

Phillip Roth, Richard Ford, Pat Conroy, among others share the significance of family in their lives and work.

Authors Tony Hillerman and Paul Theroux, among others, discuss how their works were translated into film.

Writers address the role of form and structure in the creative process. John Irving explains the structure of his writing and his methods for giving voices to characters. He gives specific examples from A Widow for One Year (1998). Norman Mailer, who is also included in this topic, shares his writing process with the audience.

Speakers from various perspectives addresses the question of history in some facet during their lecture. Literary author, Carlos Fuentes shares his views and experiences on Latin American culture and history; David McCollough, a historian, stresses the importance of understanding history in order to understand ourselves and our society today.

These speakers address the topic of journalistic writing and representation. For example, Tom Wolfe explains the nuances of New Journalism which debuted in his novel The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby (1968) and the typicality of a writer becoming a new journalist in the 1960s. Tony Hillerman clarifies how journalism affected his ability to write fiction.

Speakers broach the topic of translation, and how the act of translation is simultaneously an act of interpretation and rewriting. Joyce Carol Oates shares her views on how language becomes legend, and Richard Ford reflects on how language usage and style will shift within different contexts.

Writers Isabel Allende and Carlos Fuentes discuss their Latin American heritage, and reflect upon how this heritage has affected their writing.

David Halberstam and Susan Sontag examine the role of the mass media in contemporary society, especially in regards to the representation of pivotal historical moments. Lectures by Tom Wolfe, David Halberstam, and John Updike also touch upon this issue.

Novelists John Irving, Philip Roth, Tony Hillerman, and Isabel Allende, among other speakers, read from their latest works.

Speakers such as Joseph Heller, Jane Smiley, and Margaret Atwood, for example, share insights into the craft of being a writer, offering practical advice for aspiring writers.

Playwright Arthur Miller reveals behind-the-scenes insight into the first run of his renowned play Death of a Salesman (1949). Edward Albee discloses his struggles with being a creative artist in the United States. Other speakers to address play-writing include Paul Theroux, Derek Walcott, and August Wilson.

Maya Angelou reads from her poetry and explains her theory to discuss poetry is to reflect on love and the human condition. Derek Walcott discusses the similarities between poetry and theatre and how these parallels have driven his career. Other authors such as Margeret Atwood and Norman Mailer address the role of poetry in writing.

Speakers from varying perspectives address the issue of politics in their lecture. Historian Garry Wills expounds on the policy of politicians from Abraham Lincoln to Jesse Jackson, for instance, while author Jane Smiley shares her views on writing as a political tool.

Each of these speakers reflects on the significance of art within contemporary culture. Dancer Judith Jamison gives insight into expressing emotions with dance and reflects on the challenge of making expressive art without words. Playwright Edward Albee shares his experiences with the censorship of art in the Soviet Union.

Speakers address the issue of social change, especially in regards to the role of the writer or cultural critic. Terry McMillan, for instance, reveals her views on how the roles of men and women are dramatically changing in society and David Halberstam discusses the struggles of the civil rights movement.

Norman Mailer, Joseph Heller, Tony Hillerman and John Iriving are among those who specifically address the writing process in their lectures.

The series included a profusion of women writers, many of whom reflect upon the representation and roles of women in their works. Lecturers include Amy Tan, who depicts strong Asian-American women characters in her work, Terry McMillan who specifically addresses the trials and tribulations of African-American motherhood. and Isabel Allende, an author noted for her striking portrayal of Latin American female characters.

Speakers address the role of cultural boundaries within their work. Carlos Fuentes, for example, shares his views on how the novel acts as a medium of communication between cultures. Paul Theroux explains his experiences with traveling in order to immerse ones self in the distinctive traditions and societies of the destination.