[inaudible conversations] for more information about the national book critic circle and the nbcc award, visit bookcritics.org. welcome to booktv s coverage of the 2010 virginia festival of the book in charlottesville, virginia. this is a festival held over five days and several different venues in the town of charlottesville including places at the university of virginia. coming up today are several different author panels. we re going to show you panels discussing early american scientists, the french and indian war, women and war and the business of book reviewing. we re also talking with several authors about their books. but first up today, reporting from pakistan in afghanistan. here are jay malcolm garcia and nick schmidle. thank you all very much for coming. my name is ted genoways. i m the editor at the environmental quarterly review. and it s my pleasure to welcome you here on behalf of the virginia foundation on behalf of the humanities which is the producer