Author Matthew Goodman Visits Geography Department April 3

Cathy Salter presents before a geography class

Gives talks and signs books, including presence at Mizzou

Matthew Goodman, author of four nonfiction books (The City Game, Eighty Days, The Sun and the Moon, and Jewish Food) is coming to Columbia for book talks and panel discussions April 1 to April 3.

As part of his tour, he will be spending time with the University of Missouri’s Department of Geography — presenting at a forum and mingling with fans at a reception.

Organizing his visit is author and columnist Cathy Salter, wife of former geography chair and emeritus professor, Kit Salter. Cathy recently interviewed with the geography department, describing this gifted author’s visit to the area.

Geography Department: Cathy, how did you manage to bring Matthew Goodman to Columbia? And how long has this been in the works?

Salter: Six years ago, when Matthew Goodman published Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World, I was so taken with the book that I contacted the author and invited him to Columbia. He said ‘Yes!’ and I thought ‘Oh my gosh’ and got busy organizing activities around town. He fell in love with Columbia and we fell in love with him.

We have remained friends and when Matthew published his new book, The City Game, (Nov. 5, 2019), I invited him to come back to Columbia. This time, he said ‘Absolutely!’

Matthew Goodman's book Eighty Days

Geography Department: A variety of events are planned for Goodman’s visit, including a talk/book signing at Skylark Bookshop; a radio interview with David Lile on KFRU; a discussion with Mizzou journalism students, followed by an evening panel discussion open to the public; a book talk at the Daniel Boone Regional Library; and a forum and reception at Stewart Hall (schedule details below). These events span three days. You sure are keeping him busy. Talk a little bit about what you consider the importance of Goodman’s book, The City Game.

Salter: After reading The City Game, I was struck by how relevant the events are today. The issue of whether or not to pay college athletes is still being debated today, 70 years hence. Goodman’s book is the story of the legendary 1949-50 City College of New York basketball team that won both the NIT and NCAA national basketball championships in the same year. The following season, the team was surrounded by scandal due to point-shaving, a decision that cast a shadow over the players involved for the rest of their lives. The City Game is also the story of New York City itself and the culture, bribery and betting on college sports that was rampant in the city then. The book delves into the culture of the times and prescient issues about college sports that journalism students, geography students, and Columbia’s community of readers will find fascinating.

Geography Department: Tell me a little bit about Matthew Goodman. Describe him as an author and a person.

Salter: Matthew has lived in Brooklyn all of his life and loves New York City. He has a way of writing about people and events that at one time were legendary but over the decades have been forgotten. He typically spends five or six years doing in-depth research into his topics and is a master of weaving what he discovers into historical narrative that you cannot put down. I’m convinced that The City Game will be under consideration for a Pulitzer before the year is out. His cookbook Jewish Food is a reflection of the fact he is a foodie with eclectic tastes. He knows where to find the best Syrian bakery in Brooklyn and looks forward to sampling poutine at Columbia’s Flyover Restaurant while in town.

Geography Department: I understand Matthew has been booked in cities around the country from the fall of 2019 and winter 2020, including stops at Dayton, Detroit, Cambridge, New Haven, Jacksonville, Houston, Washington D.C., and of course in and around New York City, among others. How did we get so lucky to have him come to our community in the Heartland?

Salter: I asked him to come and he said ‘Yes!’

Goodman's newest book:The City Game

Geography Department: Tell me a little more about his visit to campus — at the School of Journalism and at the Department of Geography.

Salter: His tour will begin at Columbia’s Skylark Bookshop, a new independent bookstore owned by author Alex George. It will be an opportunity for the public to learn about The City Game and visit with Goodman at a reception that will follow. Early the following morning, he will be interviewed by KFRU radio’s David Lile. An avid reader himself, Lile is looking forward to a lively conversation. Later that morning Mike Jenner at MU’s School of Journalism has organized a Q&A session for journalism students and faculty. That evening, a public panel discussion will take place with journalists Jim Robertson, Mike Jenner, and Matthew Goodman at the Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Fred W Smith Forum. April third, Matthew will speak about his books in the Friend’s Room at the Daniel Boone Regional Library. The public is invited. His final appearance will take place that afternoon in Stewart Hall’s Department of Geography where he will discuss Eighty Days as it relates to travel, geography, world cultures and women in journalism. A reception will follow and the public is invited to both.

Geography Department: The variety of venues planned should give students, faculty and the whole Columbia community numerous opportunities to interact with this brilliant author and his books. How do you expect him to be received?

Salter: As I’ve talked to friends and book groups about The City Game and Eighty Days, interest in helping me bring Matthew to Columbia has been extremely positive. This has been a grassroots effort from the start and his tour here is going to be wonderful.

Geography Department: Is it a labor of love? Or something bigger?

Salter: It has been a labor of love that comes from a passion I feel about sharing Goodman’s powerful prose and scholarship. After his visit to Columbia six years ago, I couldn’t wait for his next book and the chance to bring him back to Columbia.

Geography Department: Is anyone else helping you with the project? If so, who?

Salter: I’ve had wonderful support from my husband, Kit Salter; the Department of Geography; School of Journalism; the local book community; and a group of newspaper and radio pals (journalists) known as The Algonquinistas — Goodman is an honorary member.

Geography Department: What else would you like to add about Goodman’s visit to Columbia?

Salter: Matthew will be staying with Kit and me at Boomerang Creek — our home in the country — during his visit. It’s a long way from Brooklyn, but we think he is going to love it.

Matthew Goodman with Floyd Layne, one of the CCNY basketball team starters on the 1949-50 championship team. Layne, 89, came to Goodman’s book launch at CCNY on November 5, 2019. He is a central character in the book.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 1

Book Talk/Book Signing at Skylark Bookshop (downtown)

Host: Alex George, Owner and Unbound Book Festival Director

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Open to Public

Thursday, April 2

Interview live on KFRU Radio (98.9 FM & 1400 AM)

Host: David Lile

Time: 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Missouri Journalism School Discussion

Host: Mike Jenner, Houston Harte Endowment Chair

Time: 11 a.m. to noon

Open to journalism students and faculty

Panel Discussion and Book Signing: Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Fred W. Smith Forum

Host: Mike Jenner, with introduction by Cathy Salter

Panelists: Mike Jenner, Jim Robertson, Matthew Goodman

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Open to the public

Friday, April 3

Book Talk/Q&A/Book Signing at Daniel Boone Regional Library, Friends Room

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Open to the public

Forum at Department of Geography, Parker Auditorium, Room 102

Hosts: Geography Chair Soren Larsen, Director of Undergraduate Studies Doug Hurt; Emeritus Chair Kit Salter; and author and columnist Cathy Salter

Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Open to the public

Reception to follow, Stewart Hall, Rooms 216-217

Host: Department of Geography

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Open to the public