7pm - Rebel Falls: Civil War Espionage
Tim Wendel’s Rebel Falls transports readers back to 1864 as the American Civil War rages. The book follows a young woman who takes an assignment to act as a spy for the Union by traveling to Niagara Falls in order to thwart a Confederate plot. Author Burt Solomon says, “Well-written, smartly paced, and pleasurable to read, Rebel Falls brings to life a long-forgotten aspect of the Civil War with its sharply drawn characters and makes a convincing case that this little-known story might have altered the course of the war.” Sponsored by the Friends of Burke Center Library.

Location: Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke, VA 22015

7pm - Virginia’s Presidents
Eight U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia – more than any other state. From George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, to Woodrow Wilson and Zachary Taylor – public historian Heather S. Cole brings readers around the state to the museums and homes of these historic men in her book Virginia’s Presidents: A History & Guide. Sponsored by the Friends of Richard Byrd Library.  

Location: Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St, Springfield VA 22150

7pm - The Beck Environmental Lecture: Chelsea Henderson
Researcher and policy advisor Chelsea Henderson discusses her new book Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics, which examines the reasons why it took almost sixty years for the U.S. government to pass significant climate change legislation, and urges our elected officials to act in the face of the climate crisis. Environmentalist and author C. K. Westbrook says, “Rarely is a nonfiction book about climate legislation referred to as a gripping page-turner, but I found Glacial by Chelsea Henderson to be so. Glacial is compelling, well-researched, and riveting insider storytelling—the perfect climate change book for these times…I wish every American, no matter their politics, would read this book.” Sponsored by Robert & Lucy Beck.  

Location: Grand Tier III, Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030