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The Speakers Series is open to the public by subscribing to the Series. The lectures are held from 8-9:30pm on seven Wednesday evenings, from October through April.

Become a subscriber to the Boston Speakers Series to guarantee your seats to all 7 lectures. You will have the chance to interact with each speaker, as each event will conclude with a question and answer session. Please note that the Boston Speakers Series is only sold by subscription to the entire series - single tickets to individual lectures will not be sold.

2012-2013 Boston Speakers Series
at Boston Symphony Hall


The Boston Speakers Series invites you to join us at Boston Symphony Hall to experience the ultimate in cultural engagement -- seven evenings of diverse opinions, profound insights and fascinating discussion on a broad scope of issues. Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders, statesmen, distinguished journalists, authors and other celebrated personalities will enlighten and inspire you. Join us this season and enjoy a season of heroes and legends. You'll be delighted you did!


The speakers for the 2012-2013 season, which begins this Fall, are:

President Bill Clinton

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States

October 3, 2012 - Wednesday, 8pm


President Clinton served the United States during a time of unprecedented prosperity and change. Now, President Clinton is a powerful voice for progress as he shares his unique insights and observations with audiences around the world. President Clinton addresses the challenge of globalization, emphasizing our growing interdependence, and points the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values.

Jeannette Walls

JEANNETTE WALLS
Bestselling Author of The Glass Castle

October 24, 2012 - Wednesday, 8pm

In her New York Times bestselling memoir The Glass Castle, this award-winning author describes the nomadic, dysfunctional and colorful family life of her childhood. After leaving her family and attending Barnard College, she worked as a journalist in New York for 20 years, writing for New York Magazine, USA Today and MSNBC.com.

Lisa Ling
Sponsored by
Whole Foods

LISA LING
Journalist and Host on National Geographic & the Oprah Winfrey Network

November 28, 2012 - Wednesday, 8pm


Known for her passionate and in-depth coverage of difficult stories that mainstream media tend to overlook, this American journalist has balanced international reporting with hosting her own series, Our America with Lisa Ling on the Oprah Winfrey Network, her role as host of National Geographic Explorer, and earlier as a cohost of The View.

P. W. Singer

P. W. SINGER
21st Century Warfare Expert

January 16, 2013 - Wednesday, 8pm

Currently a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, he is the preeminent specialist on 21st century warfare. In his work he explores how science fiction, with its emphasis on robotics and other technologies, is now playing out on modern day battlefields, and the implications of these developments on war, politics, ethics and law in our time.

Erskine Bowles

ERSKINE BOWLES
Co-Chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

February 20, 2013 - Wednesday, 8pm


Along with Sen. Alan Simpson, he was named by President Obama to co-chair the bi-partisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commonly referred to as Bowles-Simpson. Former posts have included president of the University of North Carolina system, White House Chief of Staff to President Clinton and administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Vicente Fox
Sponsored by
North Hill

VICENTE FOX
President of Mexico (2000-2006)

March 20, 2013 - Wednesday, 8pm

The first president elected from an opposition party since 1910, Fox served as president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. Prior to running for the presidency, he served as governor of his home state, Guanajuato, from 1995 to 1999. Before entering politics, he worked for the Coca-Cola Company, rising from delivery truck driver to president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Nando Parrado

NANDO PARRADO
Miracle Survivor of the Infamous Plane Crash in the Andes Mountains

April 24, 2013 - Wednesday, 8pm

On a flight from Uruguay to Chile for an international rugby tournament, he and 16 of his teammates survived for two months in the Andes Mountains, where their plane crashed at 18,000 feet. The story of their ordeal and his ten-day trek through the Andes that led to the group's rescue was told in the book and ensuing motion picture, Alive.

The Boston Speakers Series is modeled after the highly acclaimed Philadelphia Speakers Series. The Philadelphia series, now entering its eighth season, has been "Sold Out" since its very first season. Each year, there is a waiting list of hundreds of people trying to get tickets.


Here is what our subscribers have to say...


“This Series is incredible!  It’s like an elite continuing education course where the ‘guest lecturers,’ season after season, are some of the best and brightest minds of our time.”

“Intellectual, amusing and cultural...a great combination!"”

“We were delighted to attend last night's lecture. It accomplished what I think was the goal... a night of reflection, discussion, and intellectual pursuit -- something we rarely get to do in our busy lives. We can't wait to attend the rest... we're hooked!”

“It just keeps getting better and better!”

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