New York Society Library

This three-session event takes place on November 11, December 9, and January 11, at 11:00am.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Henry James wrote his three late, great novels. The Wings of the Dove was published first in 1902 and remains for many readers one of his most rewarding achievements. It concerns the attempt... of an American heiress to achieve a sense of personal meaning as she confronts her own nature and the complexity of European culture, manners, and morals, in places - especially England and Venice - that have the power to influence her as much as the poeple she meets.

The novel will be introduced in the first session with some related works, including "The Aspern Papers" (1888), a story that points to the very essence of James' idea of fiction, and Colm Toibin's The Master (2004). The second and third sessions will cover The Wings of the Dove directly.

Books for Discussion:

November 11, 2009: "The Aspern Papers," "The Beast in the Jungle," and "The Jolly Corner" by Henry James, and The Master by Colm Toibin

December 9, 2009: The Wings of the Dove by Henry James

January 11, 2010: The Wings of the Dove by Henry James

The Master and The Wings of the Dove are available for purchase from the Library; information about purchasing books will be sent to registrants. The Modern Library edition of The Wings of the Dove is strongly recommended. The other selections will be sent to registrants free of charge.

Tickets: $40 for all three sessions (recommended); $15 per session.

UPDATE: Registration for this event is at capacity; contact the Events Office (212-288-6900 x230; events@nysoclib.org) to be placed on the wait list.Read More

Johanna Hurwitz is one of the most popular children's authors in the country, and her books are especially appreciated in New York City, where she lived and worked as a librarian for many years. Her stories of Central Park in the Park Pals Adventures, and city life in Riverside Kids show a true New York spirit. "At a v...ery young age I began making up stories and writing them down," she says. "Being an author was my dream since childhood...having achieved it, it feels great." In this visit, Ms. Hurwitz will read from some of her books and talk about how she creates them.
Johanna Hurwitz went from a thirty year career as a children's librarian to write more than sixty popular children's books including Pee Wee's Tale, Busybody Nora, Russell and Elisa, and The Hot and Cold Summer. She has won many literary awards chosen by children and travels extensively, inspiring young people to read and to write.

Tickets: $5.

Children's Library events are open to members and their guests. To reserve spaces, contact the Children’s Library at 212-288-6900 x234 or children@nysoclib.org.Read More

The Landmark editions of Thucydides and Herodotus have become the new standard for elegant and accessible editions of classical works. To this monumental work, editor Robert B. Strassler now adds Xenophon's Hellenika, the major primary source for the events of the final seven years and aftermath of the Peloponnesian Wa...r, completing an ancient narrative of the military and political history of classical Greece.In this event, Mr. Strassler will introduce both Herodotus and Xenophon and show their pleasure for the reader, as well as their importance to the study of the ancient world.

Cicero called Herodotus "the father of history," and his only work, The Histories, is considered the first true piece of historical writing in Western literature. With lucid prose, Herodotus's account of the rise of the Persian Empire and its dramatic war with the Greek city states set a standard for narrative nonfiction that continues to this day.

Hellenika covers the years between 411 and 362 B.C.E., a particularly dramatic period during which the alliances among Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Persia were in constant flux.

Robert B. Strassler is an unaffiliated scholar who holds an honorary Doctorate of Humanities and Letters from Bard College and is chairman of the Aston Magna Foundation for Music and the Humanities.

Tickets: $10 in advance/$15 at the door.

Space for this event may be limited; reserve your seats at the advance rate by calling or e-mailing the Events Office (212-288-6900 x230 ; events@nysoclib.org), or by submitting a completed registration form via mail or fax, or at the Circulation Desk.Read More