About the Event
The Wisconsin Book Festival, presented by Madison Public Library in partnership with Madison Public Library Foundation, presents free, public author events that celebrate books and spark conversations. Each year, the festival presents stand-alone events throughout the year with a culminating celebration each fall. The 2025 Fall Celebration runs October 23-26.
This year the Wisconsin Historical Society is proud to once again welcome the Festival to our headquarters for a full day of events on Saturday, October 25. Join us in our auditorium for the following author readings:
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10:30 AM: Dean Robbins discusses Wisconsin Idols: 100 Heroes Who Changed the State, the World, and Me
Dean Robbins's new essay collection offers a unique perspective on transformative figures with often surprising connections to Wisconsin, including the Beatles, Georgia O’Keeffe, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Harrison Ford, Joni Mitchell, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, Bob Dylan, Jackie Robinson, Orson Welles, and many more. Robbins puts a personal spin on these stories, based on interviews, intensive research, and lifelong obsessions. Readers tag along to every corner of Wisconsin as Robbins relates astonishing examples of courage and integrity, providing inspiration for an age desperately in need of heroic role models.
Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival
https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/wisconsin-idols
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Noon: Mark O'Connell discusses The Year Science Changed Everything: 1957's International Geophysical Year and the Future of Our Planet
In 1957, 6,000 scientists from 66 nations achieved the impossible: they erased political borders for 18 months to unlock Earth's greatest mysteries—and changed science forever. The International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957 marked humanity's first unified effort to understand our planet, launching the space race, discovering the Van Allen radiation belts, and producing groundbreaking climate research that shapes our world today. In his new book, author Mark O'Connell reveals how this historic collaboration offers a blueprint for tackling today's environmental challenges.
Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival
https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/year-science-changed-everything
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1:30 PM: Jack Lohmann discusses White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus-in Our Cells, in Our Food, and in Our World
A profound and lyrical reflection on the cyclical nature of life, what happens when we break that cycle, and how to repair it—told through the fate of phosphorus. In 1842, when the naturalist John Stevens Henslow discovered the potential of that rock as a fertilizer, little did he know he’d spawn a global mining industry that would change our diets, our lifestyle, and the face of the planet. A mesmerizing swirl of ecology, geology, chemistry, history, agricultural science, investigative reporting, and the poetry of the natural world, White Light invites us to renew our broken relationship not just with the Earth but with our own death—and the life it brings after us.
Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival and Wisconsin Public Radio
https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/white-light
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3:00 PM: Laura Poppick discusses Strata: Stories from Deep Time
The epic stories of our planet’s 4.54-billion-year history are written in strata―ages-old remnants of ancient seafloors, desert dunes, and riverbeds striping landscapes around the world. In this brilliantly original debut work, science writer Laura Poppick decodes strata to lead us on a journey through the global transformations that made our lives on Earth possible. A work in the tradition of John McPhee, Strata allows us to observe how the planet has responded to past periods of environmental upheaval, and shows how Earth’s ancient narratives could hold lessons for our present and future.
Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival
https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/strata
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4:30 PM: “The Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary: A Celebration In Books” with authors Scott Spoolman, Betsy Korbinyr, and Randy Hoffman
Celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System with three award-winning authors who highlight the natural history, beauty, and transformative power of our fifty state parks. Join Scott Spoolman, Betsy Korbinyr, and Randy Hoffman as they share their experiences exploring our state parks and inspire you to set off on your own outdoor adventure!
Scott Spoolman’s Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History takes readers on a tour of twenty-eight parks, forests, and natural areas, detailing the geologic processes—from volcanic eruptions to crushing glaciers— that shaped these unique and breathtaking landscapes over the course of billions of year. With hiking suggestions and trail maps, Wisconsin State Parks allows readers to see for themselves the evidence of these ancient geologic forces and gain a deeper appreciation of our parks.
Betsy Korbinyr's Time, Beauty, and Grief is part trail guide, part memoir, and part conversation on the adventure of becoming a senior citizen. A woman turning sixty-five ends up with one of her hiking boots in the grave as she embarks on a Quest to complete five miles in all fifty Wisconsin State Parks in one year. This engaging collection of essays offers you fresh perspectives on the parks and new insights into your own coming-of-age.
Great Nature Wisconsin is a comprehensive guide crafted by Randy Hoffman, a seasoned nature expert, and the Stingleys, who are passionate about introducing their children to the natural world. This essential guide is designed to help nature enthusiasts of all ages and interests. The guide first identifies prime vacation spots categorized by desired experiences, making it easy to plan your ideal getaway. The second section provides a breakdown, by county, of destinations perfect for weekend adventures. Finally, the book concludes with a selection of favorite places ideal for daily activities.
Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival
https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/wisconsin-state-park-system-125th-anniversary-celebration-books
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