TONIGHT
Stephen Colbert, I Am America (And So Can You!). Looking for some truthiness in Washington? Faux news correspondent Colbert is in town to promote his gutly new book and explain once and for all how to fix this country’s ills. Special excerpts from the book include a full transcript of his 2006 White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech and useful charts, like “Things That Are Trying To Turn Me Gay.” 7 p.m. Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, 730 21st St. NW. 202-633-3030. Tickets $35.
Oct. 20
Mark J. Penn, Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Big Changes. Penn’s day job may be adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), but he’s also found time to write a book that has become a political best-seller. By breaking Americans down into sub-categories, he tries to explain how 70 “microtrends” could fundamentally shift our political culture. Among his examples: “Caffeine Crazies,” “Archery Moms” and “Neglected Dads.” 6 p.m. Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.
Oct. 21
David Sandalow, Freedom from Oil: How the Next President Can End the United States’ Oil Addiction. A Brookings Institution fellow and former State Department official, Sandalow has come up with bold prescriptions for kicking our oil dependence: plug-in cars, bio-fuels, and more investment in advanced energy technologies, to name a few. 5 p.m. Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.
Oct. 23
Paul Krugman, The Conscience of a Liberal. Krugman, who has had one of the most vaunted media platforms in recent years as columnist for The New York Times, as usual pulls no punches. In a conversation with political commentator E.J. Dionne, Krugman will explain how inequality has made a comeback in recent years after declining sharply following World War II. 7 p.m. Temple Sinai, 3100 Military Road NW. Tickets $12, sponsored by Politics & Prose. 202-364-1919.
Oct. 24
Richard Feldman, Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist. Feldman’s book sounds like another Washington satire by Christopher Buckley, but he is, in fact, the real deal: a life-long member of the National Rifle Association. Feldman will discuss how the group became such a lobbying powerhouse, and how it has managed to stay so influential in this country despite tragedies such as the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings. 7 p.m. Olsson’s Books & Records at Dupont Circle, 1307 19th St. NW, 202-785-1133.
Compiled by Helen Fessenden. Future book events may be sent to hfessenden@digital-stage.thehill.com