3 Book Events to Check Out This Week

Heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Sussman

Jeffrey Sussman @ Gershman Y | Tuesday, February 7
Boxer Max Schmeling never officially joined the Nazi Party, but in 1920s Germany the Nazis touted the heavyweight champ as a symbol of German racial superiority. In the early ’30s, according to his 2005 obituary in the New York Times, Hitler invited him over for dinner. A few years later, Jewish boxer Max Baer knocked Schmeling out in 10 rounds at Yankee Stadium wearing shorts decorated with a big Star of David. Jeffrey Sussman recounts that storied fight and other details from Baer’s life, along with tales of fellow Jewish boxer Barney Ross, who worked for Al Capone, in Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing. He’s at the Gershman Y on Tuesday talking about the book.

The Curious Incidence of the Dogs in Our Lifetimes @ Parkway Central Library | Wednesday, February 8
This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia pick is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. And since we’re already in the events portion, you’ll have to read it ASAP — no waiting until the stage version comes to the Academy of Music at the end of the month. On Wednesday, the Free Library is highlighting the relationships between dogs and their people: See working dogs in action, watch a training demonstration, and met some pups looking for homes. On Thursday, the Franklin Institute is tying its popular monthly Night Skies in the Observatory evening to the book. Check out all of the Curious Incident happenings here.

Overdue and Appointment Television @ Parkway Central Library | Saturday, February 11
Watch and listen to two witty culture podcasts live at the Free Library. First, the crew from Appointment Television will break down books on TV and educational TV, and then Andrew Cunningham and Craig Getting will be discussing “the books you’ve been meaning to read” in Overdue. The after-party is nearby at Kite and Key.

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