UMD News

Director of Public Relations:
Susan Beasy Latto, slatto@d.umn.edu
315 Darland Administration Bldg.
1049 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8830 Cell: (218) 348-5688
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June 20, 2006

Contact:
Susan Beasy Latto, Director of Public Relations 218 726-8830 slatto@d.umn.edu
William Henderson, director, UMD Alworth Institute for International Studies 218-726-8616 whenders@d.umn.edu

Alexander McCall Smith, author of the best selling book "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" will speak at UMD at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2006 in the Kirby Ballroom. The event is sponsored by the Royal D. Alworth, Jr. Institute for International Studies as part of its International Lecture Series.

McCall Smith's talk, "The Very Small Things of Life," will deal with the international and cultural aspects of his popular series, which is set in Botswana. His books capture the pace and wisdom of a traditional culture as it adapts to new and modern circumstances. His lecture will illustrate the situation of Botswana, with its successful democracy, economic stability, minimal corruption, and reputation for facing the AIDS crisis. All while other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa are experiencing civil war, disease and unpredictable violence. McCall Smith will share how he uses his main character, Mma Ramotswe, who faces life's problems with a cup of tea in her hand, to help his readers understand the values and struggles of ordinary Botswanan citizens.

McCall Smith has written more than 50 books, including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children's books. But he is best known for his internationally acclaimed No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, now with six books in the series and four million copies in print in the U.S. alone. The first installment, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, received two Booker Judge's Special Recommendations and received The Saga Wit Award.