The 2004-05 series will be equally impressive with prestigious lecturers. Opening the 2004-05 series will be former Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Henry Kissinger on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004. The former political leader served as secretary of state to Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Praised as one of the most brilliant secretaries of state in United States history, Kissinger earned a Nobel Peace prize for his leadership and diplomacy skills. His recent best-selling book Years of Renewal is the final volume of his memoirs. Following Kissinger to the Heinz Hall stage will be political strategist James Carville, author Mary Higgins Clark, former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres, Frank Abignale, presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin , and Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry.

James Carville
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004
Carville comes to Pittsburgh one day after the presidential election. Known for being incisive, insightful and entertaining, the co-host of CNN's Crossfire, is renowned for his razor-sharp wit, penetrating analysis of the world of politics and his shoot-from-the-hip style. Carville has managed more political campaigns than any other political consultant in America.

Mary Higgins Clark
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004
Higgins Clark is known as America's "Queen of Suspense." She is the #1 best-selling female suspense writer in America, having authored 25 bestsellers in her extraordinary career, with over 46 million copies in print. Her books have been translated around the world. Two have been made into feature films, and nine have been adapted for television.

Shimon Peres
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005
Peres, the former Israeli Minister of Defense, Foreign Minister, and twice elected Prime Minister, he was the key architect of the Oslo Peace Accords, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Until he resigned in October 2002, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in the government headed by Ariel Sharon.

Frank Abignale
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005
After hearing his lecture, Tom Hanks said: "Abagnale's lecture may be the best one man show you will ever see." Thirty years ago, he was known as one of the world's most famous confidence men. He is now the subject of the major motion picture "Catch Me If You Can," directed by Steven Spielberg that stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Doris Kearns Goodwin
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Kearns Goodwin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, is a captivating storyteller, whose stories will bring the past alive, allowing listeners to learn from the talents, skills, and human failings of our leaders. Her new book Lincoln will be released in early 2005, and made into a major motion picture by Steven Spielberg.

Dave Barry
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Barry, the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, writes humorous columns that appear in over 500 newspapers in the U.S. and abroad. He offers up his unique point of view on the absurdity of everyday life -- from politics to relationships to kids and even technology. He has written several best-selling books, including: Dave Barry Talks Back.

Pittsburgh Speakers Series
The Pittsburgh Speakers Series provides seven speakers a year and tickets may be purchased for the entire series. No individual lecture ticket can be purchased. Following each lecture, audiences interact with each speaker through a question and answer session.