Access to all library services will be unavailable on Thursday, May 7, 2026, starting at 11 pm due to server maintenance. Services are expected to resume in the early morning hours of Friday, May 8.
Malibu Library Speaker Series presents author and MIT professor Thomas Levenson discussing his book 'Money for Nothing: The Scientists, Fraudsters and Corrupt Politicians Who Reinvented Money, Panicked a Nation, and Made The World Rich'. For adults.
Levenson is Professor of Science Writing at MIT. Money for Nothing, published in 2020, dives into the most famous financial scandal in the history of modern capitalism, the South Sea Bubble. This account of the South Sea Bubble is not just the story of a huge scam, but is also the story of the birth of modern financial capitalism. These dreamers and fraudsters may have bankrupted Britain, but they made the world rich.
Levenson’s career has been split between writing and documentary film making. His books include The Hunt for Vulcan (2015); Newton and the Counterfeiter (2009); Einstein in Berlin (2003); Measure for Measure: A Musical History of Science (1994); and Ice Time: Climate, Science, and Life on Earth (1989). His most significant film and television projects includes work as executive producer for the mini-series Origins, a four-part series on the evolution of the life in the cosmos, broadcast as a special presentation of the PBS series NOVA in 2004.
Levenson is also a columnist for the Boston Globe’s Ideas section, contributes regularly to The Atlantic Monthly online, and has over the years published numerous articles in a wide range of magazines, newspapers and online venues.
This event takes place at Malibu Library. RSVPs are required.
Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees.
This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. Please see the Guidelines for Attendees during the registration process for more information.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | History, Society, & Culture | Books, Poetry, & Writing |
TAGS: | Malibu Library Speaker Series |
Malibu Library, located in the Malibu Civic Center Complex, was established in 1970 by the County of Los Angeles Public Library. Prior to 1970, a bookmobile provided library service to the Malibu community serving residents in Topanga Canyon and along the Pacific Coast Highway.
On April 22, 2012, a grand opening celebration was held to mark the completion of a $6 million renovation of the Malibu Library, designed by the architectural firm of LPA, Inc. and funded by revenue generated from local property taxes.
The new sustainable, LEED-certified library has been redesigned to represent Malibu's sand, sea and sun culture with features such as:
-A replica of the Adamson House tile rug in the main lobby
-A photographic exhibit featuring historical images of the area
-The Children's area featuring a marine life motif, including an 8' by 14' porcelain tile art piece designed by artist Christine Nguyen
-A Teen area that embraces Malibu's surf culture.
