Fahrenheit 451

Long Beach City College Library

LONG BEACH READS ONE BOOK PROGRAM 2005

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

"The light that radiates from the great novels time can never dim..."
--Milan Kundera, Czech author and critic

books

Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury

The firemen of Bradbury's future are sent out to burn books, not put out fires. The point at which paper ignites is said to be 451 degrees Fahrenheit, and extreme censorship is the burning theme of this science fiction tale set in the future. Originally published in 1953, those who read this book today see the wisdom and foresight in Bradbury's predictions and criticism of censorship, political correctness, and lulling away of one's mind by television and the media with mechanical pleasures replacing more natural experiences.

Ray Bradbury once said about the future: "People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is much too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the visible air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better." (from "Beyond 1984: The People Machines")

Again this year, the city of Long Beach has committed to reading a book together as a community in the Long Beach Reads One Book Program. The aim of this program is to promote reading, literacy and fellowship as the community joins in discussion of the book.

For More Information about the book see:

LBPL FoundationLong Beach Reads One Book Site
Listen to Ray Bradbury Reading Fahrenheit 451
About Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury Online
Audio Interviews with Ray Bradbury
Wikipedia Article for Fahrenheit 451
Amazon.com
Film Reviews for Fahrenheit 451

A new film version by Frank Darabont (director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile) is planned for release in 2006

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
Just get people to stop reading them." --Ray Bradbury

Long Beach City College

Long Beach Public Library

LBPL Foundation

invite you to join in reading
and discussion activities of the

Long Beach Reads One Book Program

featuring Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451"

Book Week March 13-18, 2005

Kick-Off Event:

Monday, March 14, 2005 • 1 p.m.
Ray Bradbury will be speaking live on the special 50th Anniversary of his Fahrenheit 451 and answering questions from the LBCC Auditorium. This event will be broadcast live on LBCC Cable, Channel 15 in Long Beach and Channel 32 in Lakewood. The LBCC Foundation Library and Learning Resources Associates will be hosting a book selling and signing event in the Auditorium foyer before and after the main event. Parking will be in lot D, North side of campus off Harvey Way between Clark and Faculty. See the LAC map

LBCC Bookstores:

The bookstore will have a special display with copies of the book for sale, and the bookstore staff will host their ever-popular lunch and discussion hours. Tuesday, March 15, 11:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Campus, Bookstore Courtyard, RSVP to 938-4223. Thursday, March 17, 11:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m., Pacific Coast Campus, RSVP to 938-3108

"Impressions - Choose your Medium:"

A creative contest for writers and artists. Students can respond to the themes of Fahrenheit 451 using many different types of media, including oral interpretations, illustrations, photography, musical compositions, and scientific observations.

UPDATE: Congratulations to the Winner of the Impressions Contest: Elvia Uriarte

For more information, contact:

• LBCC Long Beach Reads One Book Representative: Jordan Fabish, Reading Instructor, 562-938-4919, jfabish@lbcc.edu

• Kick-Off Event, Broadcast Information, Website Information: C.C. Sadler, Educational Technologist, 562-938-4255, csadler@lbcc.edu

• Bookstore: Marty Wayland, Bookstore Director, 562-938-4595, mwayland@lbcc.edu

• Book Sell and Signing: Dana Walch, Assistant Director, Foundation, 562-938-4490, dwalch@lbcc.edu