UW Prepares for Author Erik Larsons Visit to Campus

The University of Wyoming is making special provisions for visitors who plan to attend next week’s presentation by award-winning author Erik Larson.

A master writer of narrative nonfiction, Larson will discuss his most recent book, “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania,” a best-seller about the 1915 sinking of the British luxury ocean liner by a German U-boat. Larson’s talk will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the UW College of Education auditorium.

The talk is free and open to the public, but those planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and seating. Doors will open at 1 p.m.

Parking will be available on campus behind the College of Education Building in the “A” lot, as UW Transit and Parking Services will not issue tickets in that lot in the afternoon. Free shuttle service from the south and east Express lots also will be available the afternoon of the event. For more information  about campus parking and shuttle services, visit www.uwyo.edu/tps.

Larson’s vividly written, best-selling books have won several awards and been published worldwide. His 2011 best-seller, “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin,” tells the saga of the American ambassador and his family in Berlin during the first years of Hitler’s reign.

His critically acclaimed book, “The Devil in the White City,” intertwines the stories of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and one of America’s worst serial killers. The book won an Edgar Award for nonfiction crime writing and was a finalist for a National Book Award. It remained on the New York Times Best-Seller hardcover and paperback lists for a combined total of more than five years.

During the presentation at UW, no audio or video recording or flash photography will be permitted. A book signing will follow Larson’s talk. The University Store will sell books before and after the talk.

The UW Libraries Development Board’s annual author event is funded by the McMurry-Spieles Endowment for Library Excellence.

For more information about Larson’s presentation, call UW Libraries at (307) 766-3279 or visit http://uwlibblogs.uwyo.edu/dustyshelves/erik-larson.