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Milton Reads 2017 – Agent Zigzag

Milton Reads

Agent Zigzag – Milton’s Choice

The Milton Public Library is pleased to announce a full schedule of events to celebrate Milton Reads 2017.  All programs take place in the month of March and compliment the town-wide reading of Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal by Ben Macintyre.  Copies of the popular book are available at the Library’s circulation desk.

Programming kicks off on Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30pm, with the critically acclaimed film Eye in the Sky (2016), starring Helen Mirren, as Colonel Katherine Powell who is in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya.  Her mission escalates when a young girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.  Rated R, the film runs 1 hour and 42 minutes.  On Thursday, March 16, from 7-8pm, Library Director Will Adamczyk will lead a book discussion on Agent Zigzag in the Library’s Conference Room

Triple Cross, a 1966 film starring Christopher Plummer and Yul Brunner, will appear on the Library’s big screen on Tuesday, March 21, at 6:30pm.  The film is based on the true story of safecracker Eddie Chapman as he convinces the Germans to use him to spy on the British. When he arrives home to England to carry out his mission, he convinces the English to use him as a double agent. So begins the hair-raising story of a professional thief who turns patriot. Rated PG, the film runs 2 hours and 20 minutes.

 Spy Night @ Steel & Rye, takes place on Sunday, March 26, from 5-7pm.  Wear your favorite spy costume (trench coat and sun glasses qualify), enjoy a Zigzag beverage, spy themed appetizers, and games that will test your covert tactics.  Prizes for costumes and game winning will be awarded. Suggested donation of $10 at the door covers light refreshments. Reserve your space at www.miltonlibrary.org, click on events.

Boston University Professor Joseph Wippl, closes out the Final Chapter of Milton Reads, on Tuesday, March 28, from 7-8pm. A former CIA agent, Mr. Wippl spent a 30 year career as an operations officer in the National Clandestine Service (NCS), serving around the globe.  As a professor at the Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies, Mr. Wippl speaks and writes widely on issues regarding National Security, Intelligence and Terrorism.

For more information about Agent Zigzag or the Milton Reads programs, please visit the library at 476 Canton Avenue in Milton, the library’s Facebook page or website at www.miltonlibrary.org, or email MPLMiltonReads@gmail.com with questions.

 

Milton Reads 2017: The Announcement

In December, the Milton Public Library received more than 300 votes from the community to determine the 2017 Milton Reads book title.  Although voting was close, the 2017 selection is Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal by Ben Macintyre.

Agent Zigzag is an historical thriller that tells the story of Eddie Chapman, a British man who served as a double-agent during World War II. Based on recently declassified files, Agent Zigzag is a gripping tale of deception, love and intrigue which provides readers a glimpse into the life of a spy.

“I am really excited for this year’s Milton Reads,” says Will Adamczyk, Director of the Milton Public Library. “This is our second year of asking the community to pick a book, and we saw a lot more interest and many more votes than last year. Agent Zigzag is a great choice. The themes of spy craft, security, and espionage are topics still on the front pages today.”

Now in its sixth year, the Milton Library invites residents to participate in a shared cultural activity by exploring the same book together in a unique town-wide initiative. The public is encouraged to borrow Agent Zigzag from the library and attend events for adults and families including guest lecturers, film presentations, and a book discussion with all events to be held in March. Milton Reads and its programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Library.

For more information about Agent Zigzag or the Milton Reads programs, please visit the library at 476 Canton Avenue in Milton, the library’s Facebook page or website at www.miltonlibrary.org, or email MPLMiltonReads@gmail.com with questions.

About Milton Reads

Milton Reads is an annual program offered by the Library and sponsored by the Friends of the Library to promote a community conversation around a shared reading experience.

Milton Reads includes books discussions, lectures, movies and other programs. Beginning in 2015, Milton Reads has been held during the month of March.

Beginning in 2016, the Milton Reads book has been chosen by the community. The Milton Reads committee chooses a short list of titles, using suggestions from the public, and puts the finalists up to a vote.

Previous Titles

  • 2016 – Dead Wake
  • 2015 – The Boys in the Boat
  • 2014 – Sherlock Holmes
  • 2013 – The Gardner Heist
  • 2012 – To Kill A Mockingbird