Pulitzer Prize Winning Author to Address Gathering of the Groups at FPL | Arts & Culture

The Fayetteville Public Library will host the 9th annual Gathering of the Groups with featured speaker, Pulitzer Prize winning author David K. Shipler on Friday, October 26th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Shipler, author of The Working Poor: Invisible in America will discuss his work with members of Northwest Arkansas book clubs as part of the One Book, One Community project at the University of Arkansas. Members of local book clubs are invited to attend the lecture and book discussion. Space is limited and registration is required.

The Working Poor: Invisible in America, a national best seller, profiles dozens of people in this country who have jobs, work hard, but can't seem to escape the cycle of poverty. Shipler's book is based on his stated premise that "nobody who works hard should be poor in America."-white and black, Asian and Latino, citizens and immigrants-and considers both the failed social systems and their own "bad choices" that together keep them trapped in poverty. Shiper carefully examines the social and political issues involved and offers solid recommendations for ways to attack the interlocking causes of this national crisis.

 The One Book, One Community project chose the national bestseller, The Working Poor: Invisible in America, due to the timeliness of the topic with the importance the economy and jobs are having on the current presidential race and other national political contests. One Book, One Community project hopes to foster discussion of the issue throughout Northwest Arkansas. To help achieve this initiative, book clubs across Northwest Arkansas were encouraged to read the work and join the discussion at Gathering of the Groups at the Fayetteville Public Library.

On Thursday, October 25th Shipler will give a public lecture at 6:30 pm in the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Union. There will be a question and answer session and book signing afterwards. The event is free and open to the public.

Gathering of the Groups is open to all Northwest Arkansas book clubs. Book clubs wishing to attend Gathering of the Groups should contact the Help Desk at FPL at 479.856.7250.