Fall Author Event

Shawn Otto

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

7:30pm (CST)

Shawn Otto is author of the award-winning nonfiction book The War on Science, which predicted the rise of anti-science voices and the threat they pose to democracy. The book, called "a game changer," follows the 2011 publication on Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America.

Otto speaks to audiences worldwide about the scientific foundations of democracy and the causes and dangers of anti-science authoritarianism while advising on candidate science debate efforts in many countries. He was awarded the IEEE-USA National Distinguished Public Service Award for his work elevating science in American public dialogue. He is cofounder and producer of the US presidential science debates at ScienceDebate.org. 

He is also an award-winning screenwriter and novelist. He wrote and co-produced the Academy Award-nominated movie House of Sand and Fog starring Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. His literary crime novel, Sins of Our Fathers, was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. Mary Ellen Quinn described the novel, set in Minnesota, as having "believable characters and a strong sense of place" in a "tale of risk and redemption." 

Otto lives in Minnesota with his wife, Rebecca Otto, the former Minnesota state Auditor and 2018 candidate for Governor. Their house is a green home powered by solar and wind energy that he designed and the couple built themselves. 

You can read more about Shawn Otto, and his works, on his official website here.

Augustana Community:
The Mikkelsen Library has materials available. click here for our list of Shawn Otto's works. 

Siouxland Libraries Patrons:
Siouxland Libraries have two of his books in their system. You can check on their availability here.

Hoopla Digital (Siouxland Libraries) offer ebook and and audiobook versions of Sins of Our Fathers and War on Science. If you reside in Sioux Falls and need a public library card, you can get one online.  Using your Siouxland Libraries card, click here for instructions on creating an account and using Hoopla on a computer or mobile device. When your account is created, log in to your account here and  search "Shawn Otto." 

  Listen to SDPB Radio's In the Moment with Lori Walsh's interview with Shawn Otto.
  Aired on September 21, 2021: 

     How to listen: 

    The War on Science with Shawn Otto on SDPB Radio

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