c-span s local content vehicles in savannah,ornorn, today on c-span2 and 3. that range from ice cream to winston churchill. it s a little over an hour. tonight it s my pleasure to introduce simon schama according a genius of storytelling. author of several books including the embarrassment of riches, citizens, a chronicle of the french revolution and national book critic circle award winner rough crossings simon schama is a professor of art history and history at columbia university. he s also a cultural essayist from the new yorker and has presented modern 30ly critically acclaimed documentary for the bbc and pbs including a history of britain, the power of art and the american future. schama s newest book scribble, scribble, scribble publisher s weekly raves, schama turns his warm prose to a fast away of topics. he approaches every subject with gusto and amusement and always has smart thing to say. it s truly a pleasure to have him tonight with us. ladies and gentleme