November 1, 2005

The University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum is proud to announce its 10th season with veteran journalist R.W. "Johnny" Apple. Apple has been associated with The New York Times for over four decades, writing extensively on a variety of topics, including politics, foreign policy, economic issues, food, wine, arts and travel. The incredible range of his subjects is reflected in the wide range of his awards, which include the George Polk Award for foreign reporting, a James Beard food writing award, and the Lowell Thomas award for travel writing. Tom Brokaw, anchor of "NBC Nightly News" for twenty-one years, now NBC News Special Correspondent, and one of the most respected figures in broadcast journalism, will interview Mr. Apple.

In Apple's America: The Discriminating Traveler’s Guide to 40 Great Cities in the United States and Canada, Johnny Apple deftly turns his adventurous enthusiasm and endless curiosity toward forty great American cities - including our own Louisville, Kentucky. His commentaries capture the tone and style of life in his favorite urban communities, while exploring the hidden treasures, famous landmarks, arts and architecture, business, history and present-day realities that make each city unique. The book offers unpretentious, sophisticated, and always appetizing advice from a celebrated authority.

Apple's essays are portraits of many of the most interesting American cities. They evoke each locale's essence, pace and local flavor, historical pasts and present-day realities. Crime, pollution, urban sprawl and unemployment are frankly discussed. Art is featured prominently in many of the city-portraits, reflecting the importance of culture in the revival of American cities. Local government is critically appraised; the mayors who have successfully inspired urban renewal are lauded.

Who could better synthesize each city's history, politics and culture in roughly 10 pages than R.W. Apple Jr.? At the Times, Apple is known as a master at writing a kind of news-analysis piece known as a Q-head, which provides historical context for a newsworthy event. Few can match his skill. He writes about the best bacon in Wisconsin with the same enthusiasm and endless curiosity that he expresses when examining life in Washington D.C

Now associate editor of the New York Times, Apple served previously as chief Washington correspondent, Washington Bureau chief and chief correspondent and bureau chief in Albany, Saigon, Lagos, Nairobi, London and Moscow. Since joining the Times in November 1963, he has written from more than 100 countries. He covered the Vietnam war, the Biafran war, the Iranian revolution and the overthrow of Communist governments in Czechslovakia, East Germany and Hungary. He headed the Time’s coverage of the Gulf war in 1991.

At home, he has been involved in the coverage of 22 national conventions and 10 presidential elections and served as national political correspondent from 1970 to 1976. Prior to joining the paper, he covered the civil rights movement in the American South.

A frequent contributor to British, French and American magazines, Apple also appears frequently on television programs such as NBC’s “Meet the Press” and as lecturer on major college campuses. Aside from reporting on war and politics, his keen observations also include culture, travel and, especially, food.  Among reporters Apple stories abound; accounts of his staggering expense account or prodigious appetite. He's the stuff legends are made of--flamboyant, abrasive and incredibly talented.

His new book follows Apple's Europe, an Uncommon Guide. Arranged by country, it tells much about European cuisine, art, history, and music and nothing at all about cruises, ski resorts, and rental villas. Apple’s prose touches on a variety of subjects: dining out in Budapest, Dostoevsky's haunts, Parisian bistros, Churchill's England, "unknown" places to visit, Wren's churches, and, best of all, a packing list that tops them all. He provides a collection of advice, erudition, and anecdotes to entertain and guide travelers everywhere.

Interviewer Tom Brokaw has traveled the globe to interview world leaders and to bring breaking news to his television audience. At home, he has covered every American presidential election since 1968, and has anchored all of NBC's political coverage since 1984. His insight and integrity have earned him numerous journalism awards for both his regular newscasts and his documentary reporting. In 1998 he became a best selling author with The Greatest Generation.

Brokaw has an impressive list of “firsts,” including the first report of the beginning of the Iraq war, first interview with President Bush after the declaration about the end of major combat, first exclusive interview with Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, first and only anchor to report from the scene the night the Berlin Wall fell, among others. His “NBC Nightly News” has been a repeat recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast.

Event & Ticket Information -- SOLD OUT, TICKETS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

10 a.m. Discussion with R.W. Apple Jr., moderated by Tom Owen, associate archivist     with the U of L Libraries, at the University of Louisville, Ekstrom Library Auditorium. Limited to university students, faculty and staff.

The Kentucky Center
5 Riverfront Plaza, Downtown Louisville

5 p.m. Carmichael's book sale and wine and cheese reception provided by Brown- Forman, Lobby

6 p.m. Interview, R.W. Apple with Tom Brokaw, Bomhard Theatre.

Live taping with WFPL 89.3 and KET, The Kentucky Network, and "The Spoken Word," which will carry the audio version of the event to 39 public radio stations throughout the southeast and 1.1 million listeners.

Master of Ceremonies is Forum Editor Keith Runyon of The Courier-Journal

7 p.m. Q & A followed by book signing on stage, set and design by Bittners' (Designing for the Way You Live)

A $17 ticket includes the above three events. A limited number of discounted tickets of $5 each are available for U of L students, faculty and staff at the KCA box office --U of L photo ID is required.

8:15 p.m. Dinner with R.W. Apple Jr. and Tom Brokaw, in the Humana Building, 25th floor, hosted by the University of Louisville President James Ramsey. A $100 package ticket includes all evening events, including dinner (Proceeds go to the nonprofit Kentucky Author Forum; $35 is tax-deductible.)

Tickets are available at The Kentucky Center, 502-584-7777 (1-800-775-7777) or online at www.kentuckycenter.org.

A taped version of the event will be made available at The Louisville Free Public Library, St. Matthews/Eline Branch, 3940 Grandview Ave., at 2p.m., Friday, November 4. There is no fee involved, but those interested must sign up in advance due to limited seating. Call the library directly at 574-1771 for further information.

WFPL 89.3 FM and Kentucky Educational Television (KET) will record the event for future broadcast, which will be distributed nationally to PBS affiliates nationwide, under the title: "Conversation with R.W. Apple Jr."

NOTE TO TV AND PRINT MEDIA: You may cover Johnny Apple live at the University of Louisville between 10 and 11 p.m. on November 1. Access to a live Kentucky Author Forum feed during the evening interview is always available through KET. If interested, please contact Duncan Hart at 859-258-7296.

The Kentucky Author Forum series is produced by Mary Moss Greenebaum and sponsored by the University of Louisville, Brown-Forman and The Humana Foundation, in cooperation with Bittners, Carmichael's Bookstore, The Courier-Journal, KET, WFPL/89.3 FM, “The Spoken Word” and the Kentucky Center. Questions should be directed to the Kentucky Author Forum office at 502-589-2884.

624 West Main, Second Floor
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Phone 502.589.2884
Fax 502.589.4334
email KYFORUM@aol.com