A New York Times best-selling author will speak in Coeur d'Alene as part of the annual Idaho Humanities Council event.

David Grann, also an award-winning staff writer at The New Yorker magazine, will give the 17th Annual North Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture on May 6 at 7 p.m. at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather again,” said David Pettyjohn, executive director of the Idaho Humanities Council. “Not only is this a great opportunity to hear from Mr. Grann, but also to ask questions and to engage in conversation with your table mates.”

Grann will speak about his latest book, “The White Darkness,” a story of adventure and obsession in the Antarctic.

“(The board) all believed that it would be of great interest to North Idaho and its audience,” Pettyjohn said. “The tales of strength and courage definitely resonate with everyone.”

Grann was originally scheduled to speak in fall of 2020, but the event was postponed due to COVID. He will also touch on his best-selling book, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which is set to release as a film in November.

“It’s just a wonderful, lovely event to reconnect with everyone, learn about a fascinating part of our history and engage in some really important discussions,” Pettyjohn said.

The event is sponsored in part by the CDA Press, Idaho Forest Group, Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho, North Idaho College and Idaho Public Television.

Grann’s lecture is part of the “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

General tickets are $65 and include seats to the dinner and lecture. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7.

Benefactor tickets are $130 and include admission to a private reception with Grann at a separate location from 5 to 6:15 p.m prior to the event. Tickets include close-in seats for the dinner and lecture at 7 p.m.

A general table with spots for eight people is $520 and a benefactor table with eight spots is $1,000.

There is also an option to donate an additional amount to enable local students to attend.

“I love visiting Coeur d’Alene,” Pettyjohn said. “I’m just beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to engage and converse and be a part of this wonderful event."

Tickets: idahohumanities.org/events