An Evening with Eric Weiner, Author of The Geography of Genius

Travel the world with Eric Weiner, when he comes to speak at The Ferguson Library, DiMattia Building on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Talking about his new book, The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley, he journeys from Athens to Silicon Valley—and throughout history, too—to show how creative genius flourishes in specific places at specific times.

The Geography of Genius is currently #7 on the New York Times Culture Bestseller List and #5 on the New York Times Travel Bestseller List.

In the new book, he explores the history of places, like Vienna of 1900, Renaissance Florence, ancient Athens, Song Dynasty Hangzhou, and Silicon Valley, to show how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity. And, with his trademark insightful humor, he walks the same paths as the geniuses who flourished in these settings to see if the spirit of what inspired figures like Socrates, Michelangelo, and Leonardo remains. In these places, Weiner asks, “What was in the air, and can we bottle it?”

“Weiner is a superb travel guide: funny, knowledgeable, self-deprecating and always up for sharing a bottle of wine…[His] idiosyncratic approach made me feel afterward as if I’d been on an odd but very satisfying vacation.” — The Washington Post

“The book is a witty, entertaining romp. Weiner’s vivid descriptions of modern-day life in each locale make the spots feel like must-­visit destinations.” — The New York Times

Eric Weiner is a philosophical traveler and recovering malcontent. His books include the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss and Man Seeks God. A former foreign correspondent for NPR, his work has appeared in Slate, Quartz, Foreign Policy, the BBC, AFAR, The Best American Travel Writing, and elsewhere. For some reason, he lives in the Washington, DC, area.

Refreshments. Book sale and signing. For more information, call 203 351-8231.

The Ferguson Library, DiMattia Building is located at the corner of Bedford and Broad Streets, Stamford.

(Author photo credit: Justin Tsucalas)