Annie Jacobsen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and The New York Times bestselling author, will speak at noon April 9 via Zoom as part of the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Hoag Lecture Series. UNG students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend her free virtual presentation. Jacobsen's talk will last 45 minutes, followed by her answering audience questions that can be submitted during the event.

"I am delighted to speak with UNG’s brilliant students, faculty and staff," Jacobsen said. "All solutions to complex problems begin with dialogue, with developing 'intellectual fullness,' which is what the Hoag Lecture Series is all about."

Her newest book, "Nuclear War: A Scenario," is an international bestseller. The book explores this ticking-clock scenario, based on dozens of exclusive new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, have been privy to the response plans, and have been responsible for those decisions should they have needed to be made. It examines the handful of minutes after a nuclear missile launch.

"We want to bring in someone who challenges students' thinking and is cross-disciplinary," Dr. James Badger, a professor in the College of Education and member of the Hoag Lecture Series committee, said. "The potential for nuclear war is a huge existential crisis facing humanity, and Annie's book thoroughly covers this timely topic."

Jacobsen’s books have been named Best of the Year and Most Anticipated by outlets including The Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe, Vanity Fair, Apple, and Amazon. The author has appeared on countless TV programs and media platforms — from PBS Newshour to Joe Rogan — discussing war, weapons, government secrecy, and national security. She also writes and produces TV shows, including "Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan."

This marks the 28th year of the Hoag Lecture Series. The aim of the series is to reflect former UNG President Merritt E. Hoag's educational philosophy that higher education should educate students beyond the traditional classroom environment and enable them to develop intellectual fullness by encouraging learning in a variety of disciplines.