Author Talk: Nina Willner "The Boys in the Light"
About
Join Central Library for an afternoon with Nina Willner, celebrated author of "The Boys in the Light" and "Forty Autumns." Central Library is pleased to welcome critically-acclaimed author Nina Willner. Nina is a nonfiction writer who has published two books about her family's history. Her latest book, " The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood" was named Amazon Editors' #3 Best Book of the Year - Top Nonfiction, and Best History Book of 2025. According to the Wall Street Journal, "In 'The Boys in the Light,' Nina Willner poignantly recounts the story of two Jewish boys [one, her father] and the American troops who rescued them." Her first book, " Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall ," was published in 2016, and earned a Library Journal starred review and was named a Top 15 Nonfiction Book of 2016 by The Christian Science Monitor. Publisher's Weekly wrote, "Willner's epic memoir traverses three generations of mothers, recounting the tragedy, estrangement, and overwhelming courage of a family torn apart...[and] explores the painful intersection of national duty and familial responsibilities...A thrilling and relevant read." ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Prior to her writing career, Nina was a US Army intelligence officer who ran sensitive missions behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Following a career in intelligence, Nina worked in Moscow, Minsk, Prague, Ottawa and Istanbul promoting human rights, women’s and children’s causes and the rule of law for the US Government, nonprofits and a variety of charities. After years living abroad, she now writes narrative nonfiction full time from her home in Washington DC. Learn more by visiting Nina's website here. Q&A to follow. Copies of her books will be available for purchase/signing. REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED: First-come, first-served seating. By registering, you will receive event updates. For more information, contact 703-228-5959 or email lib-CentralOperations@arlingtonva.us.
