(www.journalgazette.net, Nov. 10)

David Baldacci, best-selling author of political and legal thrillers, will speak at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne on Friday (Nov. 14, 2009) as part of the Omnibus Lecture series.

Baldacci’s 17 novels include “Total Control,” “Saving Faith” and “Absolute Power,” the latter of which won the 1996 gold Medal Award for Best Mystery/Thriller from the Southern Writers Guild. It was also made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman.

A lawyer by training, Baldacci is a champion for literacy, which he describes as the “most fundamental life skill.” He and his wife are founders of the Wish You Well Foundation, which supports family literacy programs.

Friday’s lecture is co-sponsored by United Way of Allen County, to help promote its new initiative supporting education attainment, literacy skills and reading among younger students.