Event and Book

Join the National Writers Series for an inspiring conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. He will talk about his latest book, The Fate of the Day, with New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton. 

A riveting narrative exploring the pivotal middle years of the American Revolutionary War, the publication of Fate of the Day marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution.  Atkinson’s brilliant account of the lethal conflict between the Americans and the British offers not only deeply researched and spectacularly dramatic history, but also a new perspective on the demands that a democracy makes on its citizens. It is the second volume of his American Revolution trilogy.

Atkinson is the author of seven previous works of history, including The British Are Coming, the first volume of his American Revolution trilogy. He is also the author of The Long Gray Line, the Liberation Trilogy (An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light).

Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music and a cash bar, and the conversation begins at 7 p.m. This presentation includes a Q&A session with both the live and livestream audience, and an author signing event following in the lobby. Please note: books are not available to pick up prior to this live event.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tier One indicates premium seating options with the best views, available on the main floor closest to the stage along with premium sections of the balcony.
Tier Two indicates standard seating options, available on the main floor and most of the balcony.

Individual Tickets
Tier One: $63
Tier Two: $53
Admits one person to the live event and each ticket comes with one signed hardcover edition of Rick Atkinson’s The Fate of the Day (retail value $42).

Two-Ticket Package
Tier One: $90
Tier Two: $70
This two-ticket option admits two people to the live event and comes with one signed hardcover edition of Rick Atkinson’s The Fate of the Day (retail value $42). Perfect for couples or friends who want to share a book together.

Virtual Tickets
$51
Virtual tickets are $15 plus a book. You can choose to pick up your book at Horizon Books in Traverse City at 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684, or you can pay to have it shipped to you.

Group Tickets:
For discounted rates on ticket packages of 20 or more, please contact [email protected]

Student Tickets: $10
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student tickets admit one person to the live event. Books are not included.

Which Ticket Package to Choose?
If you and a partner or friend are attending together and only need one book to share, choose our Two-Tickets/One-Book package.

About Our Book Sales
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show. Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal. If you already own the featured book, the one you receive with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or you can donate it back to us at the National Writers Series, and we’ll distribute it to libraries and young writers in Northern Michigan. We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.

Virtual Option
Even if you can’t make it to the City Opera House, you can still enjoy National Writers Series events from the comfort of your own home on event night or later on-demand when it’s more convenient. Please go to www.nationalwritersseries.org for ticketing information.

FAQS:

Why do I have to buy a book with my tickets?
NWS will often include a book with every ticket (or two tickets). We sometimes bundle a book with a ticket to lure a high-profile author to our fine small town. This is now a common practice with authors on book tours—their publishers require the bundle, not only to introduce the author to his or her readers, but also to sell books. Please note, all books are 20 percent off.

What if I already purchased the book?
If you already have the book, the book with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or, you can donate your book by contacting our office manager at [email protected].

Is this event kid friendly?
Most of our events are not appropriate for children.

A winner of Pulitzer Prizes for history and journalism, Rick Atkinson has produced a remarkable oeuvre of bestselling history that includes the Liberation Trilogy (the first volume, An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942–1943, received the Pulitzer in History), The Long Gray Line, Crusade, In the Company of Soldiers, and, most recently, The British Are Coming, the critically acclaimed first volume of his eagerly anticipated Revolution Trilogy. A multi-week New York Times bestseller, The British Are Coming won the George Washington Prize (awarded by Mount Vernon and its partners), the New-York Historical Society’s Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize, the Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History Book Award, and the Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award.

Guest Host Doug Stanton is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of In Harm’s Way and 12 Strong, made into a major motion picture by Jerry Bruckheimer, and The Odyssey of Echo Company. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Esquire, and Outside. He was awarded the 2021 Steven Ambrose Oral History award. He attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Hampshire College, and received an MFA from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. He created the National Writers Series in 2009 with his wife, Anne, and attorney Grant Parsons. He and Anne have three children and live in Traverse City.