History Happy Hour with Steve Berry
Steve Berry, a master of thrillers with a historic twist, will launch the national tour for his latest book, The 14th Colony (Minotaur Books, April 5, 2016), at a History Happy Hour on Friday, April 1 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue. One need not be a member of the University Club to attend.
The History Happy Hour will be followed by “Lessons from a Bestseller” at the New York State Museum on Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the New York State Museum, and more information on the writer’s workshop is online at www.universityclubalbany.com.
Berry is an author and philanthropist whose foundation, History Matters, raises funds for a wide variety of historic preservation projects around the world. He is a fixture on the New York Times bestseller lists with 20 million books in print in 40 languages in 51 countries.
In his latest book, The 14th Colony, Berry asks the question, “What happens if both the president and vice-president-elect die before taking the oath of office?” The answer is nothing short of total political chaos. Steve Berry’s trademark mix of fact, fiction, history and speculation is all here in this provocative new thriller. Kirkus Review writes, “Cotton Malone of the Magellan Billet, the Justice Department’s elite intelligence group, once again yanks the U.S. back from the precipice of annihilation.”
History Happy Hour is the fourth in a series of popular events presented in partnership with the Museum Association of New York (MANY); Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center; and Partners for Albany Stories (PASt); and sponsored by the Albany Institute of History & Art; Historic Albany Foundation; Friends of Schuyler Mansion; Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area; and the City of Albany Office of Special Events and Cultural Affairs. The event is hosted by the University Club of Albany Foundation.
History Happy Hour includes a Meet the Author reception at 5:30 p.m. with savory hors d’oeuvres followed by a talk featuring Berry’s well-known wit and historical insight at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door. Books will be available for purchase and signing for $25 courtesy of the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza. Reservations may be made by calling the University Club at 518-414-3555 or online at www.universityclubalbany.com.
Guests are invited to stay for an after-party with music from Geo Doody in the Grille Room from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Geo plays the music from the 1940s to today, a mix of Rock, Pop, R&B, and Irish Pub Standards. He’s a self-described history nerd – perfect for History Happy Hour!
Steve Berry and his wife, Elizabeth, have traveled the world researching Steve’s many books, and saw the effects of dwindling funds dedicated to preserving our heritage. They launched History Matters to assist communities around the world with historic restoration and preservation. The foundation supports the cost of their travel and he accepts no appearance fee.
The University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was established in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property. A portion of the proceeds from the event will support heritage tourism efforts in the City of Albany.
In 2012 and 2013 Steve’s devotion to historic preservation was recognized by the American Library Association, which named Steve their spokesperson for National Preservation Week. Among his other honors is the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award; the 2013 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award given by Poets & Writers; the 2013 Anne Frank Human Writes Award; and the Silver Bullet, bestowed in 2013 by International Thriller Writers for his philanthropic work.
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