Writers Bloc with Simon Sebag Montefiore | May 31

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 — 7:30 pm

History has never been as fun or wild as in British historian and novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore’s hands. He has the audacity to write the history of humanity. The World: A Family History is monumental in its boldness, creativity, and sheer breadth of great storytelling. This is the epic history of human civilization from multitudes of angles, many of them extraordinarily shocking, and many of them just terribly funny. He brings us to dynasties many of us have never had the pleasure to meet, with family skeletons to spare. A Moroccan pirate queen, an Arab empress, a beggar who founded the all-powerful Ming dynasty. Besides palace intrigues from the very international ruling class, Montefiore showers us with tales of artists (real and con), criminals, scientists, charlatans, and more. He gives us a taste of the present as well, with family histories of figures such as Indira Gandhi, Vladamir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Barack Obama, and others. History has never been this wild or fun. Trust us.

Simon Sebag Montefiore is renown and admired for his ability to make any history or biography he tackles a most surprising, thrilling experience. Take advantage of his rare public appearance in Los Angeles.

In conversation with history buff Patt Morrison. Patt is an award-winning journalist and commentator, sharing in two Pulitzers, countless Emmy Awards, and legions of fans at the Los Angeles Times. Patt’s columns in the LA Times illuminate the endlessly interesting history of Los Angeles. She hosts the podcast, Patt Morrison Asks, and is the author of several books, including Don’t Stop the Presses: Truth, Justice, and the American Newspaper.

NOTE: Masks will be required for this program.