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Great Books - January
The Sparrow - book cover

The Sparrow

by Mary Doria Russell
January 13, 2010

In 2019, humanity finally finds proof of extraterrestrial life when a listening post in Puerto Rico picks up exquisite singing from a planet that will come to be known as Rakhat. While United Nations diplomats endlessly debate a possible first contact mission, the Society of Jesus quietly organizes an eight-person scientific expedition of its own. What the Jesuits find is a world so beyond comprehension that it will lead them to question the meaning of being “human.” Not until 2059 does anyone on Earth learn about the mission’ s results.

Menu

Appetizers: Puerto Rico empanadillas
Soup: Lobster bisque
Entree: Spaghetti Purmesiad with fried cod fish and fresh vegetables
Dessert: Tembleque (coconut pudding)

Presenter

Judith Steininger is a professor emeritus at MSOE.  She has also taught at UW-Milwaukee, Boston College and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, East Africa. She is a free lance writer both locally and nationally and is a regular contributor to Milwaukee Public Radio’s “Lake Effect” program.  Her bachelor’s degree is in chemistry from the University of Kentucky and master’s in literature from Boston College.  Steininger taught the first Great Books discussion, Arrowsmith.  Other discussions have included Cold Mountain, Love in the Time of Cholera and The DaVinci Code. The Milwaukee Press Club awarded her cover story “Hot Stuff” the Best Feature Length Magazine Article for 2006 in a statewide competition.

Registration

You may download this Great Books registration form (Adobe Acrobat Reader software required) to fill out and mail in. To receive a Great Books brochure or for more information about the Great Books Series, contact Cathy Varebrook at (414) 277-4523 or via e-mail.