Award-winning graphic novelist -- and Takoma Park resident -- Gareth Hinds will spotlight his illustrations for Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune tonight Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Samurai Rising was written by Pamela Turner and tells the fascinating – and bloodthirsty -- life of an influential 12th century samurai. The book is aimed at middle school and high school readers; as Kirkus noted is its starred review: "The opening warning doesn't lie -- very few people die of natural causes." But in its starred review, Booklist concluded that "kids who think history is boring will lose their heads over this one", while School Library Journal noted in its starred review: "The text rips along, skillfully engaging teens in many swift turns of events. Historical and cultural references are impressively accurate and Hind's fluid brush-and-ink drawings and battle maps add useful detail." Please join us for what promises to be a most interesting evening! Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Samurai Rising but the program is free and no purchase is required to attend.