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Best-selling science writer visiting APSU for free talk Feb. 7

Sam Kean(Posted Jan. 30, 2019)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – On a March morning some 2,000 years ago, Julius Caesar had a bad day. A few senators, and some supposed friends, stabbed the Roman emperor in one of the most famous assassinations in human history. The story may be old – often taught in literature and history classes – but scientist and New York Times best-selling author Sam Kean recently argued that the events of that day still linger.

According to Kean, “the story of (Caesar’s) last breath is still unfolding; in fact, you’re probably inhaling some of it now. Of the sextillions of molecules entering or leaving your lungs at this moment, some might well bear traces of Cleopatra’s perfumes, German mustard gas, particles exhaled by dinosaurs or emitted by atomic bombs, even remnants of stardust from the universe’s creation.”

For the last several years, Kean has taken fascinating, though complex, scientific concepts, and made them entertaining and accessible to the general public with books like “Caesar’s Last Breath,” “The Tale of Dueling Neurosurgeons” and “The Violinist’s Thumb.” At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, he will visit Austin Peay State University’s Sundquist Science Complex, Room E106, for a lecture and book signing.

Kean books

According NPR, “Kean is one of America’s smartest and most charming science writers, and his new book could be perfect for summer readers who prefer some substance with their fun.”

“Caesar’s Last Breath” was named the Guardian science book of the year in 2017, while “The Disappearing Spoon” was a runner-up for the Royal Society book of the year. Both “The Violinist’s Thumb” and “The Dueling Neurosurgeons” were nominated for PEN’s literary science writing award.

Kean’s visit to APSU is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the APSU College of STEM, the APSU Department of Chemistry and the APSU Office of Student Research and Innovation. Refreshments will be provided, and a few copies of “Caesar’s Last Breath” will be given away at the reading.