Malcolm Gladwell
Barnes & Noble; 12/10 at 7 p.m.; 33 E. 17th St., at Broadway; 212-253-0810
The frizzy-haired New Yorker writer is now on his third best-selling explanation of how the world works, Outliers, which posits that success in any field is attainable with 10,000 hours of practice. He’s also recently published What the Dog Saw, a collection of his magazine articles.
Vicki Kennedy and Ted Kennedy Jr.
92nd Street Y; 12/10 at 8 p.m.; 1395 Lexington Ave., nr. 92nd St.; 212-415-5500
The late, legendary senator’s wife and son will be on hand for a celebration of his career, moderated by Katie Couric. They’ll also be signing copies of Kennedy’s memoir, True Compass.
Thomas Friedman and Dov Seidman
92nd Street Y; 12/13 at 8 p.m.; 1395 Lexington Ave., nr. 92nd St.; 212-415-5500
Friedman, the mustachioed columnist who has collected multiple Pulitzer Prizes — and detractors — while at the New York Times, sits down with Seidman, the author of How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything … in Business (and in Life).
Madeleine Albright
92nd Street Y; 12/13 at 9 p.m.; 1395 Lexington Ave., nr. 92nd St.; 212-415-5500
Tim Oliphant will sit down with the 64th (and first female) U.S. secretary of state to discuss world affairs. Good thing there’s a lot to talk about! She’ll also be signing her latest book, Read My Pins: Stories From a Diplomat’s Jewel Box.