Famed presidential biographer Douglas Brinkley will make an exclusive guest appearance to speak about his latest book, Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America, on Wednesday evening, March 3, 7:30 p.m. at BIG ARTS' Schein Performance Hall, as part of the “Ding” Darling Bookstore’s 2010 Lecture Series..

In his groundbreaking epic biography, Brinkley draws on never-before-published materials to examine the life and achievements of "our naturalist president."

By setting aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, Theodore Roosevelt made conservation a universal endeavor. Tracing the role that nature played in Roosevelt's storied career, Brinkley brilliantly analyzes the influence that the works of John James Audubon and Charles Darwin had on the young man who would become our 26th president.

His 940-page opus -- what the New York Times called a “vast, inspiring and enormously entertaining book” -- is available at the “Ding” Darling Bookstore. Tickets for his presentation are on sale at the BIG ARTS box office: $20 for adults, $10 for students. A book-signing reception will follow Brinkley’s presentation.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, BIG ARTS, and ‘Tween Waters Inn. partner to bring this nationally acclaimed author to the islands.

For more information, call the “Ding” Darling Bookstore at 472-1100 ext. 241 or BIG ARTS at 395-0900.