Donate
|
Michael Lewis is an Author at the Top of His Game  Lewis is the best-selling author of 14 books that include Liar's Poker, Money Ball, The Blind Side and The Big Short and is considered one of the most gifted non-fiction writers in America. In less than eight weeks, on October 23rd, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Library Foundation will present business journalist and best-selling author, Michael Lewis, the prestigious Carl Sandburg Literary Award for non-fiction. Presented annually, the Sandburg Award recognizes acclaimed authors for their outstanding contributions to the literary world and honors a significant body of work that has enhanced the public's awareness of the written word. At 53-years old, Lewis has authored 14 books that include best-sellers-turned-Hollywood-hits, Moneyball and The Blind Side and, coming to a theatre near you, Liar's Poker, his first best-seller from 1989 an auto-biographical, cautionary tale, about his life as a bond salesman for Solomon Brothers. Lewis is considered one of the most gifted non-fiction writers in America for various reasons: he finds a story where other writers don't, he has a craft for explain complex concepts in an understandable and entertaining way, and he's quick witted and funny even when lambasting a character or situation. His experience at Solomon Brothers provided him with a front row seat to what he calls the "ridiculousness" of Wall Street, which he is more than happy to explain to the rest of the world through his books and stand-out characters. Liar's Poker is an account of Wall Street during the 80's and the creation of the mortgage bond market as seen through his eyes and a cast of eccentric characters. The Big Short describes several of the key players in the creation of the credit default swap market that sought to bet against the collateralized debt obligation (CDO) bubble and who profited from the financial crisis of 2007–2010. In Boomerang, Lewis visits "developed" countries causing the European economic collapse in what he describes as "financial disaster tourism". "His recent book, Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World, [is] a collection of hilarious reported essays he wrote for Vanity Fair that finger Icelandic elves, greedy Greek monks, and a German obsession with scheißen as a few of the culprits for the European economic collapse." (It's Good to be Michael Lewis, Jessica Pressler, New York Magazine, October 2, 2011) You can see and meet Michael Lewis on October 23 alongside novelist and memoirist, Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits, The Stories of Eva Luna, Ines of My Soul) who receives the Carl Sandburg Literary Award for fiction. Michael and Isabel will appear in conversation with National Public Radio host and critically acclaimed author Scott Simon. Christine Sneed receives the 21st Century Award presented to an emerging Chicago author. Visit our website for event details and ticket information. |
|
|