Common Read

Exclusive programs focused on initiating reflection and discussion through a shared experience

Common Read

Designed to help foster community among first year students, Common Read programs promote shared values and create a sense of academic cohesion, connecting faculty and students by enhancing the classroom experience.

To create a more robust experience, GTN recommends a broad selection of fiction and non-fiction books appropriate for first-year and common reading programs. All of the authors featured are available to visit college campuses and communities as part of a first-year program.

Common ReadPrograms by

(212) 645-4200 www.greatertalent.com

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FeaturingWarren St. John, Outcasts UnitedPage 3

Joshua Foer, Moonwalking with EinsteinPage 4

Sebastian Junger, WarPage 5

Byron Pitts, Step Out on NothingPage 6

Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and DimedPage 7

Max Brooks, World War ZPage 8

Exclusively Represented by GTN 212.645.4200 www.greatertalent.com [email protected]

“I’ve been involved in the planning and implementation of these types of events for almost a decade now, and I can write, without exaggeration, that this was the most successful. His comments were pitched perfectly for the event, as he related his book to the experiences of college freshmen in some creative and unexpected ways. His remarks were thought-provoking and the students responded very positively. He is an excellent speaker and also comes across as very approachable.”

—University of North Florida

Warren St. John Best-Selling Author & New York Times Feature Writer

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Warren St. John is a feature writer for The New York Times and best-selling author of Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Road Trip into the Heart of Fan Mania (2004). His latest book Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town (2009) was released to rave reviews.

In Outcasts United, St. John explores the impact of the radical change on refugees and townspeople through the story of a Clarkston youth soccer team called the Fugees. The team, coached by a Jordanian-

born woman named Luma Mufleh, consists of players from more than 15 different war-torn countries, who, despite their differences and hurdles placed in their way by locals opposed to resettlement, find ways to connect and cohere across broad cultural divides.

St.John’s discussion of Outcasts United focuses not only on the inspiring story of the Fugees, but also on the lessons the team and Clarkston provide on the question of how we build commu-nity in environments in which people seem to have little in common. He discusses the ways in which the fresh perspectives of newcomers allow us to reexamine our own way of life, as well as the role volunteerism can play in building bridges across social chasms. His talk is motivational but firmly rooted in his reporting on this extraordinary community, which he calls “a laboratory in getting along.”

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“Josh was a fabulous speaker — he was engaging, humorous, had the audience with him the entire time! Josh was a pleasure to work with- a very genuine, down to earth individual- the students LOVED him and he did an exceptional job working with them in small groups.”

—Lehigh Carbon Community College

Joshua FoerScience Journalist & Author, Moonwalking with Einstein

Foer’s unlikely journey from chronically forgetful sci-ence journalist to U.S. Memory Champion explores the vast, hidden impact of memory on every aspect of our lives. On average, people squander forty days annually compensating for things they’ve forgotten. Joshua Foer used to be one of those people. But after just one year of intensive memory training, Foer won the U.S. Memory Championship and competed internationally. Even more im-portant, Foer found a vital truth we too often forget: In every way that matters, we are the sum of our memories. He chronicled his

story in Moonwalking with Einstein.

At the podium, Foer delves into the lessons learned from Moonwalk-ing with Einstein, inspiring audiences to become a master at their own game even in the classroom. Sharing the memory techniques that earned him the unlikely title of U.S. Memory Champion, Foer discusses what it takes surpass the competition and become an expert through mindful practice. Describing how he overcame the “OK Plateau,” Foer shares how perseverance, concentration and creative think-ing are crucial to overcoming limitations. He also demonstrates a variety of memory techniques — pioneered by the Greeks and Romans — to help train the brain and enhance our ability to remember.

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Sebastian JungerAward-Winning Journalist & Best-Selling Author

“We couldn’t have been more pleased with the way in which that book provoked and informed a vigorous-and intellectual substantive-discussion among our students and faculty, both in and beyond the classroom. And I couldn’t have been more impressed with the way in which Mr. Junger went further even in his remarks, sharing insights and experiences that were not already available in his written narrative. 1 know that the sustained standing ovation he received from the students was heartfelt, and it reverberated around campus for days and weeks after he departed.”

— George Washington University

Sebastian Junger is the internationally acclaimed, best-sell-ing author of WAR, The Perfect Storm, A Death in Belmont and Fire. As a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and as a contributor to ABC News, he has covered major international news stories and has been award-ed the National Magazine Award and an SAIS Novartis Prize for Journalism.

Junger engages students with a powerful, emotionally compelling and vivid portrait of the impact of war. Drawing upon his prolific career of more than 20 years of international report-ing, Junger shares personal anecdotes and direct experiences from the trenches of Afghanistan. A witness to some of the most heroic, disturbing and life-affirming events that represent the conflicted nature of war, Junger explores the emotional experience of combat and the impact of war on our everyday lives.

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Exclusively Represented by GTN www.greatertalent.com/SebastianJunger5


Byron Pitts CBS News Chief National Correspondent & Author

“I simply cannot describe the impact of Byron’s message or how pleasant and engaging he is personally. Our students, faculty, staff and community members were so inspired. I saw students in the auditorium sitting forward in their seats, taking in every word. His frankness, humor and engaging dialogue were simply beyond compare. It was an honor and privilege to host him at Austin Peay. The event was a huge success and I am very grateful to you for all your assistance and support.”

— Austin Peay State University

Known for his thought-provoking coverage and his com-mitment to exceptional storytelling, Byron Pitts has been a multiple Emmy award winning journalist for over 20 years. As Chief National Correspondent for CBS Evening News With Katie Couric, Pitts was an embedded reporter cover-ing the Iraq War and was recognized for his work under fire. Pitts was also CBS’ lead correspondent at Ground Zero immediately following the September 11th attacks and won an Emmy for his cover-age. Other major stories include the war in Afghanistan, the after-math of Hurricane Katrina, the military buildup in Kuwait and

the refugee crisis in Kosovo, to name but a few.

Pitts’ many achievements are all the more extraordinary when he tells of the many obstacles he faced as a child as chronicled in his book Step Out On Nothing: How Family and Faith Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges. Raised by a single mother in a working class neighborhood in Baltimore, Pitts was illiterate until the age of twelve and had a persis-tent stutter. Capitalizing on his desire to play football, his mother mandated he receive Bs or above in school in order to play. With that focus, Pitts learned to read and went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. By staying focused, setting simple and achievable goals and finding strength in faith, Pitts overcame his powerful odds and his disability.

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Exclusively Represented by GTN www.greatertalent.com/ByronPitts 6

Exclusively Represented by GTN 212.645.4200 www.greatertalent.com [email protected] Represented by GTN www.greatertalent.com/BarbaraEhrenreich

Barbara Ehrenreich Political Activist & Author, Nickel and Dimed

Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of 21 books, including the New York Times best seller, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America (2001). Millions of Americans work full time, year round, for poverty-level wages. In 1998, Ehrenreich decided to join them and go undercover as an unskilled worker to reveal the dark side of American prosperity. Moving from Florida to Maine to Minnesota, she worked as a waitress, a hotel maid, a cleaning woman, a nursing-home aide, and a Wal-Mart sales clerk, living in trailer parks and crumbling residential motels. Very quickly, she discovered that no job is

truly “unskilled,” and that one job is not enough; at least if planning to live indoors. Ehrenreich offers a unique perspective and for a rare view of how “prosperity” looks from the bottom.

At the podium, she reflects with biting humor on her journey as a writer and activist, taking audiences inside her Nickel and Dimed experience and sharing anecdotes and lessons learned from each of her powerful books. Audiences will be brought to their feet by Ehrenreich’s deep rooted passion, profound ability to spur discussion, and her signature sense of humor that audiences have come to expect.

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“Dr. Ehrenreich was bold and broke the traditional rules of journalism by actually living the life of a minimum wage worker. After hearing about her experiences, I respect her even more and believe in what she has to say.”

— Point Park University

Exclusively Represented by GTN 212.645.4200 www.greatertalent.com [email protected] Represented by GTN www.greatertalent.com/MaxBrooks

Max BrooksPreeminent Zombie Expert & Best-Selling Author

“What an event last night! Max was great! We had over 1000 people filling the ballrooms for his hysterical, high-energy talk. The laughs continued through the Q&A with his rapid-fire answers to every zombie question you could ever imagine being asked. Then all those fans stood in line to buy a book and get an autograph and Max stayed until midnight, taking a moment to speak with each fan and stop writing for a quick photo. And he was a joy to work with too.”

— Iowa State University

Max Brooks is considered by many to be one of the world’s foremost Zombie preparedness experts. As we all know, the world we live in has become a rather scary place, and the global increase in the number of Zombie attacks isn’t helping matters any. According to the Office of Homeland Security, Brooks is the preemi-nent authority on dispatching the relentless, flesh-eating armies of Zombies that seem to be everywhere these days.

In his New York Times best-seller World War Z, soon to be made into a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt, Brooks tells the story of the world’s desperate battle against the zombie threat with a series of first-person accounts “as told to the author” by vari-ous characters around the world. Publishers Weekly called the novel “surprisingly hard to put

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Other Great Authors

Nicholas SparksBestselling Author of The Lucky One & The Notebookwww.greatertalent.com/NicholasSparks

Tom WolfeLegendary Author & Social Chronicler

www.greatertalent.com/TomWolfe

Po BronsonBest-Selling Author & Social Commentatorwww.greatertalent.com/PoBronson

Marcus LuttrellDecorated Navy SEAL & Best-Selling Author of Lone Survivor

www.greatertalent.com/MarcusLuttrell

Nell Irvin PainterAward Winning Scholar & Writerwww.greatertalent.com/NellIrvinPainter

9 Exclusively Represented by GTN www.greatertalent.com

Looking for more suggestions? GTN is also partnered with the Hachette Book Group and

Simon & Schuster Publishers

Please check out www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or www.simonspeakers.com for more great authors. Featured speakers include:

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Peter GodwinJournalist and Author of When a Croco-dile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa

Annie JacobsenInvestigative Journalist and Author of Area 51

Anthony SwoffordAuthor of Jarhead and Hotels, Hospitals, and Jails

Cal NewportProfessor and Author of So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Sheril KirshenbaumConservationist and Author of The Sci-ence of Kissing

Ben SkinnerJournalist and Author of A Crime So Mon-strous: Face-to-Face with Modern Day Slavery

Shane LopezExpert on Hope, Author of Making Hope Happen

Tracie McMillanJournalist and Author of The American Way of Eating

Deborah DavisHistorian and Author of Guest of Honor

Reyna GrandeAuthor of the memoir The Distance Between Us

Jay LeutzeEnvironmentalist and Author of Stand Up that Mountain

Sam KeanPopular Science Historian and Author of The Violinist’s Thumb

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GLOBAL AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES: Spencer Abraham • John Avlon • Cory Booker • Wesley Clark • Richard Clarke • Roger Cressey • Monica Crowley & Alan Colmes • Adrian Fenty • Harold Ford, Jr. • Louis Freeh • Brigitte Gabriel • Richard Gephardt • Alberto Gonzales • Margaret Hoover • Zachary Karabell • Bernard Kouchner • Connie Mack • Mary Bono Mack • Meghan McCain • Judge Andrew Napolitano • Vali Nasr • Ehud Olmert • Reza Pahlavi • George Pataki • Ron Paul • Janet Reno • Dan Senor • Jose Antonio Vargas • Valerie Plame Wilson • Joseph Wilson

PRINT AND BROADCAST JOURNALISM: Jonathan Alter • Carl Bernstein • Campbell Brown • Tina Brown • Barbara Ehrenreich • Sir Harold Evans • Bruce Feiler • Joshua Foer • Susie Gharib • Sebastian Junger • Steve Kroft • Lara Logan • Kati Marton • Peggy Noonan • Byron Pitts • Bob Simon • Lesley Stahl • Jeffrey Toobin • Ali Velshi • Gideon Yago

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: Neal Baer • Bob Balaban • Elizabeth Berkeley • Susie Essman • John Forté • Danny Glover • Lee Hirsch • Carson Kressley • Anthony Rapp • Brett Ratner • Mo Rocca • Peter Sagal • Sissy Spacek • David Steinberg • Ben Vereen • Vanessa Williams • Henry Winkler • Anthony Zuiker • Alan Zweibel

MOTIVATION, INSPIRATION, ADVENTURE: Chaz Bono • Dewey Bozella • Kris Carr • Ntiedo (NT) Etuk • Mia Farrow • Ronan Farrow • Cheryl Cohen Greene • Rory Kennedy • Marcus Luttrell • Don Mann • Marlee Matlin • T.K. Mattingly • Luma Mufleh • Petra Nemcova • Michael Oher • Apolo Anton Ohno • Nell Irvin-Painter • Dolvett Quince • Bill and Giuliana Rancic • Capt. Winston Scott • Caroll Spinney • Esera Tuaolo • The Tuohy Family

BUSINESS, ECONOMY, MANAGEMENT: Ben & Jerry • Jared Bernstein • Billy Beane • Jordan Belfort • Mark Burnett • Paul DePodesta • Donald Fehr • Susie Gharib • Seth Godin • Peter Greenberg • Peter Guber • Mitch Joel • Liz Lange • Joe Nocera • Frank Partnoy • Steven Rattner • Cynthia Rowley • Michael Silverstein • Greg Smith • Howard Stringer • James Taylor • Jonathan Tisch • Omar Wasow • Meredith Whitney • Michael Woodford

BEST SELLING AUTHORS:Po Bronson • Max Brooks • Candace Bushnell • Neil Gaiman • Emily Giffin • David Grossman • Pete Hamill • Homer Hickam • Oscar Hijuelos • Michael Lewis • Wendy Mogel • Michael Moore • PJ O’Rourke • Richard Preston • Nicholas Sparks • Jennifer Weiner • Tom Wolfe

Documents

Common Read