Author Talk with Timothy Egan

Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Timothy Egan will discuss highlights of Edward S. Curtis’ quest to document tribes across the nation.

The presentation is the signature event of the Whatcom Museum exhibition Mingled Visions: Images from The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis, on display through May 10, 2015.  Egan’s talk will give context to the Museum’s exhibition and share background on Curtis’ life and work, which spanned decades and resulted in 20 published volumes of more than 40,000 images.

Egan’s book, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward S. Curtis, is a riveting biography of the famous photographer. The book is the recipient of many awards and has appeared on many bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly and The Christian Science Monitor.

Describing Curtis as “Indiana Jones with a camera,” Egan details the photographer’s ambitious quest and journey “from detached observer to outraged advocate.”  At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, Egan’s book follows him throughout Indian country, from desert to rainforest, as he struggled to document the stories and rituals of more than eighty tribes. Egan’s book has been described by various reviewers as “riveting,” “hauntingly beautiful,” “marvelous and rollicking,” and “a gracefully written biography and adventure story.”

Egan’s presentation, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the Bellingham Public Library, the Whatcom Museum and Village Books, with funding from the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library. Seating is first come-first served, and doors open by 6:30 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. event. Village Books will provide copies of Egan’s books for purchase, and his talk will be followed by a book signing. More information at www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org and www.whatcommuseum.org.