Award-winning author Thomas Gilbert will present a talk inspired by his latest book, How Baseball Happened: Outrageous Lies Exposed! The True Story Revealed, on Sunday, October 15, at 2 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

The event is co-sponsored by Newtown Historical Society and the library.

In How Baseball Happened, Gilbert presents a rich and nuanced picture of American baseball as it grew and blossomed, while exploring (and debunking) myths that have long shaped the understanding of the game.

Based on comprehensive and meticulous research, Gilbert makes the case that amateur baseball created the sport now considered to be “real” baseball. Well-known for his unique style of combining precision and humor in his writing and speaking, Gilbert is sure to both educate and entertain in his upcoming talk.

Originally from Connecticut, Gilbert moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., as a young adult and still lives there. He first wrote a magazine column about the mid-1980s Yankees, and then began writing books, including a history of the baseball color line and a biography of Roberto Clemente.

More recently, he has focused on baseball’s origins and the Amateur Era generally. His two most recent works are Playing First and How Baseball Happened, which won the Casey Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year.

There is no charge for historical society programs, and all are welcome. Donations are welcome and benefit the historical society.