Erik Larson, three more best-selling writers headline Collier Friends of the Library breakfast lectures
The Nonfiction Author Series returns this winter with four rousing real-life adventures: a brazen billion-dollar art theft; a gutsy woman who tricked the Nazis into releasing thousands of Polish prisoners; the ominous day-by-day countdown to the opening shots of the Civil War; and the wartime bond between two iconic American heroes.
Presented by the nonprofit Friends of the Library of Collier County at the Hilton Naples, the four Monday morning lectures and book signings raise funds to help support the 10 branches of the Collier County Public Library system.
The popular series has already sold out, but the Friends is maintaining a waitlist for the possible sale of tickets to individual events. See the info box for details.
The featured speakers are
Michael Finkel, author of The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession, on Monday, January 20
Elizabeth White, author of The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles during the Holocaust, on Monday, February 3
Erik Larson, author of The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, on Monday, February 24
Adam Lazarus, author of The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams, on Monday, March 17.
Lew Paper, the chair of the Nonfiction Author Series committee, highlighted the excitement generated by the schedule of accomplished authors.
“We are extremely pleased with the riveting lineup we have for the 2025 Nonfiction Author Series,” Paper said, “and even more pleased that our enthusiasm is shared by the Naples community — series tickets sold out within a month! We will continue to maintain a waitlist and monitor the situation to determine if individual tickets can be sold for the four presentations.”
The 2025 sponsors of the Nonfiction Author Series are:
Platinum: Books-A-Million, Hilton Naples, Stock Development, The Club at Olde Cypress
Gold: Fidelity Investments, John R. Wood Properties
Silver: BrickTop’s Restaurant, J. Alexander’s Restaurant, Naples MacFriends User Group, The Capital Grille, Wynn’s Market
Nonfiction Author Series
What: Author lectures and breakfast that raise funds
for the Collier County Public Library system
Where: Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples
When: Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m.; the authors speak shortly after 9:15 a.m., followed by a book signing
Author lineup:
Michael Finkel: Monday, January 20
Elizabeth White: Monday, February 3
Erik Larson: Monday, February 24
Adam Lazarus: Monday, March 17
Cost: A waitlist is being kept because the series is already sold out. The series was priced at $350 for all four events for members of the Friends of the Library of Collier County and $395 for nonmembers. Friends memberships begin at $40/year and provide access and discounts to many other programs. Details at collier-friends.org. A portion of the
ticket purchase can be tax-deductible.
Get on the waitlist: The Friends will decide later whether to sell tickets to individual events. Call Marlene Haywood, the Friends’ Program Director, at 239.262.8135, or email Marlene at mhaywood@collier-friends.org.
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