This June, please join as at Philadelphia's storied Pen And Pencil Club for a conversation with author Devin O'Shea hosted by Robert Skvarla. O'Shea's new book "The Veiled Prophet" out this month from Haymarket Books is the culmination of his extensive research and reporting on a secret St. Louis society. From the book description: "Every December in downtown St. Louis, the city’s upper crust attend a garish costume party that doubles as a debutante’s ball. The daughters of high society are paraded to the throne of a cloaked monarchical figure, and bow to the Veiled Prophet of Khorassan. At first glance, the event seems outdated and clownish, but in truth the Veiled Prophet Society has functioned as an exclusive club for the “city fathers,” where solidarity is built between wealthy men who head major U.S. corporations, banks, and control whole industries. At the Veiled Prophet’s Ball, these titans of capital come together to crown one of their daughters the Queen of Love and Beauty, and celebrate the breaking of strikes, the sabotage of protests, and the enforcement of racial hierarchies." O'Shea's voice will be familiar to the many listeners of such podcast hit shows as Chapo Trap House and True Anon. We are so excited to welcome O'Shea to Philadelphia!Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event, as well as on the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lotfortynine.com/products/the-veiled-prophet-secret-societies-white-supremacy-and-the-struggle-for-st-louis"> Lot 49 Books </a>website for pre-order. RSVP does not guarantee admittance, but it does get you updates on the event.

The Veiled Prophet: a conversation with author Devin O'Shea

Want to understand more about what causes oil prices to rise, and their wider effect on the political economy of the United States and the world? Will it ever be possible to escape the clutches of the fossil fuel industry?Please join us for a five week class and discussion group centered around Adam Hanieh’s new history of oil, Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market. Together we will learn “how oil greases the wheels of global capitalism,” and where that comes into your own life, with instruction from economics professor Owen Steinberger. This is an accessible, community-oriented class featuring discussion, and supplemental reading with no prerequisites or prior knowledge required. Tuition is sliding scale. It supports the instructor and the bookshop.Classes start June 9 - July 7 6:00PM About the instructor: Owen Steinberger is an adjunct lecturer and professor of economics, specializing in Marxist political economy and economic history. He teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, where he received his masters degree in Spring of 2025. He also bakes bread. / contact: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:owen.steinberger@gmail.com">owen.steinberger@gmail.com</a>

Capitalism and Black Gold: a class with Owen Steinberger with the book Crude Capitalism by Adam Hanieh

Is This the End of the World?&nbsp;In Tarkovsky’s film Nostalghia, a child emerges from a lifelong isolation to view for the first time what lies beyond his apartment. After surveying a dreamy city skyline, he turns to his father, his captor, and asks, “Is this the end of the world?”&nbsp;In this generative workshop we will explore sensations of endings, overwhelm, fear, urgency, and awe. How do we begin to write about a world whose wonders and horrors we cannot fully comprehend?&nbsp;This will be an ambitious class for that dark end of winter. We will read six books in six weeks, as well as begin new projects of our own which write towards the unknowable.&nbsp;Things That Disappear, Jenny ErpenbeckThe Crystal Messenger, Pham Thi HoaiSimple Passion, Annie Ernaux&nbsp;Invisible Man, Ralph EllisonThe Book of Collateral Damage, Sinan AntoonNaked Earth, Eileen ChangThursdays 6pm-8pm, 2.12 - 3.12&nbsp;in person at Lot 49 Books408 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia PA 19125$250, scholarships availableRegistration link at Lot 49 website&nbsp;also email sam.a.heaps@gmail.com

Is This the End of the World? A writers workshop with Sam Heaps

with Sabu Koshu in conversation for his new memoir Full Circle: A Life in Rebellion. Morea is an artist and activist particularly known for his work in the 1960s based in New York City with Black Mask and Up Against the Wall, Motherfucker!The event will be seated with opportunity for the audience to join in discussion. Event will be held at:<h6>Da Vinci Art Alliance</h6><h6>704 Cathraine St</h6><h6>Philadelphia, PA</h6>Books available for purchase on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lotfortynine.com/products/full-circle-a-life-in-rebellion">website</a> and at the event.

Ben Morea in discussion

Rose Book Reader Vol. 1 Launch in Philadelphia Hosted by Lot 49 BooksKatie ColemanNikki Volpicelli at Neon Clown Dream Lounge1248 N Front, upstairs, Philadelphia, PA 191256:30 PMwith readings from:Eric Boyd Cody RoggioBlake Butler Gina TomaineAmy Lyons Ray Wise

Rose Books at the Neon Clown Dream Lounge 

Philadelphia's coziest reading series returns!Reading will be downstairs. Store will be open during.Featuring:Audree Zee WhitesidesMatthew SekellichCorey QreshiBYOB

Lot 49 Books

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