E. O. Wilson - Anthill |
E.O. Wilson is one of the preeminent biologists of the past 50 years, a renowned expert on the social behavior of ants, winner of a host of scientific and conservation prizes, including the National Medal of Science, and author of more than 20 books, including two Pulitzer Prize winners for nonfiction. Now, at age 80, he is a first-time novelist.
Raphael Semmes Cody of Clayville, Alabama, nicknamed Raff, wants to please his mismatched parents, but he isn’t comfortable with his working-class father’s rules for manliness or the ambitions of his mother’s wealthy family. He instead finds meaning, beauty, and a calling in a tract of old-growth longleaf pine forest surrounding Lake Nokobee, a rare and vulnerable swath of wilderness Wilson describes with bewitching precision and profound appreciation. A foremost authority on ants, an eloquent environmentalist, and the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for his exceptional nonfiction, Wilson has written a debut novel of astonishing dimension, acuity, and spirit. As Raff evolves from an ardent boy naturalist to a zealous student enthralled by a mound-building ant species to a Harvard-trained lawyer, Wilson dramatizes conflicts of great complexity and consequence within “parallel worlds,” becoming the veritable Homer of “Antdom” as he brings ant colonies in peace and at war to startlingly vivid life. As gentlemanly Raff walks a fine line in his heroic efforts to save the precious, pristine Nokobee Woods, violence, a force Wilson perceives as intrinsic to “this pitiless world,” percolates. With lyrical exactitude, empathy for all life, and a shocking conclusion, Wilson’s wise, provocative novel of the interaction between humankind and the rest of nature expresses a resonant earth ethic.
Tickets are $50 and include a signed copy of Anthill, free, indoor, secure parking, a lecture by Dr. Wilson, and following the lecture, a tour of "Naturescope", a half-million dollar exhibit inspired by E.O. Wilson.
There is also a private reception at 6:00 which includes two lecture seats, two signed copies, fine wine and food, and a meet-and-greet with Dr. Wilson. These tickets are $1,000.
For reservations to either event, call The McWane Science Center at 205.714.8300.
If you would like to listen to E. O. Wilson being interviewed about his new book on NPR's Talk of the Nation please Click Here
- Street:
- McWane Science Center
- Additional:
- 200 19th Street North
- City:
- Birmingham ,
- Province:
- Alabama
- Postal Code:
- 35203
- Country:
- United States
Rick Bragg in the Movies
Even though you weren’t able to attend the September 26, 2011, sold-out world premiere of Alabama’s Rick Bragg: Out of the Dirt, here’s your opportunity to view the entire movie at home, as well as much bonus footage not seen in the original documentary.
Listen in on distinguished Alabamaians, local friends and family tell inside tales on Rick as a child and award-winning best-selling author. Rick also gives his life’s philosophy in many scenes. Find out about his mother’s poetry; hear his aunt tell of dressing him as a girl when he was a tot. If ever there was a priceless gift, this is it.
You may order the two DVD (22.95) set through our secure, encrypted link Here
We also have signed copies of every edition of every Rick Bragg title ever written. You may view those by Clicking Here
