On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Fairfield University Inspired Writers Series in a Community Partnership with the World Affairs Forum in Stamford, presents Samantha Power, author of the nationwide bestseller, "Chasing the Flame: One Man's Fight to Save the World," the full story of the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Vieira de Mello, killed by a suicide bomber in Baghdad. The reading and discussion takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center Oak Room. Tickets are $15 and the necessary reservations can be made by calling University College at (203) 254-4110.

The Irish born Power, who is a practicing journalist and the Anna Lindh Professor of Global Leadership and Public Policy Practice at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the 2003 book, "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide."

Her latest book, "Chasing the Flame" received penetrating reviews when it was released in hardcover. The Washington Post stated, "The strength of the book lies in Power's use of Vieira de Mello's life (and death) as a well-placed window on the international community's successes and failures ... An ambitious effort ... (that) succeeds brilliantly." The Chicago Tribune review spoke to the book's importance to future foreign policy decisions; "Power's insightful book should remind us how much our world needs new international institutions. Building these institutions - and perhaps restructuring the UN in the process - should be a priority for the next American president." And Vogue lauded the author's impressive writing capabilities; "In unsentimental prose, Power portrays Vieira de Mello not as a martyr but as a man who knew too much, a tragic emblem of squandered opportunities in Iraq ... In eloquently asking who will keep (the flame) alive, Power proves herself a worthy candidate."

"Chasing the Flame" will be released in paperback on Dec. 2 and books may be purchased at the event for Power to sign.

Posted On: 11-13-2008 10:11 AM

Volume: 41 Number: 135