Tucson Festival of Books 2010
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A quick, all too quick, week in Tucson centered around this year’s Festival of Books, a huge event bringing together 400 authors, untold volunteers–and something like 80,000 visitors, all of them enjoying the sunshine, the food, the music, and tent after tent after tent of books.
Wandering around was half the fun, but the real meat of the event was in the panel discussions. I moderated one with Jon Dunn and Elizabeth Rosenthal on the history, significance, and future of the field guide. With good questions from the audience of half a hundred, we touched on topics including Roger Tory Peterson, Ralph Hoffman, birding and conservation, art and illustration, and (briefly indeed) e-guides.
After our conversation, Liz and Jon signed books in the general tents and then again for Tucson Audubon. 
With his wonted generosity, Jon also led a free bird walk the next morning at Sweetwater Wetlands. I missed it, but my e-mail has been packed with notes from friends and acquaintances telling me what a good time it was.
No surprise!
