Click on any entry in Barry Bradford’s Speaking Schedule for full details.

The Mysterious Life Of Lee Harvey Oswald

Indian Trails Public Library 355 Schoenbeck Rd, Wheeling, IL, United States

Lee Harvey Oswald was only 24 years when he was killed.  But his 24 years of life are as mysterious and controversial as the life of any 24-year-old ever! So who was he? Was Lee Harvey Oswald a "semi-educated hillbilly … Continue reading

Marilyn Monroe

North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

 It is one of the most iconic photographs ever taken: Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate in the summer during "The Seven Year Itch." People who have never seen the film; in fact people who have never seen a … Continue reading

Marilyn Monroe

North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

 It is one of the most iconic photographs ever taken: Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate in the summer during "The Seven Year Itch." People who have never seen the film; in fact people who have never seen a … Continue reading

Presidential Debates

Algonquin Area Public Library District 2600 Harnish Dr. , lgonquin, IL 60102

Political polls in 1960 showed a race too close to call. One of the turning points that led to the victory of John F. Kennedy was his "victory" in a series of unprecedented televised debates with Richard Nixon. Before the … Continue reading

The Rat Pack – Icons Of Cool

Mallinckrodt College of the North Shore 1041 RDG RD, WILMETTE IL ,60091

  The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop – were the embodiment of cool for a short period of time in at the end of 1950s and into the very early 1960s. … Continue reading

Richard J. To Rahm: Modern Mayors Of Chicago

Fremont Public Library 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, United States

For two tumultuous decades, Richard J Daley was indisputably the all powerful mayor of the city of Chicago. From 1955 until 1976, his name was synonymous with "The City That Works." At times, it seemed as if he would be … Continue reading

Dorothy Kilgallen

Dorothy Kilgallen is best remembered today as a somewhat flinty regular panelist on the game show, "I've Got a Secret."  However,  this groundbreaking woman was a pioneer in journalism. And her role in attacking the conclusions of the Warren Commission … Continue reading

Barbara Walters: First Superstar Women TV Reporter

North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

Barbara Walters: First Superstar Women TV Reporter Barbara Walters was the first superstar woman television news reporter. Fighting against many barriers, she opened the door for women to be taken seriously as news anchors and news reporters on broadcast television. … Continue reading