Marywood University and Scranton Reads will present two survival discussions this month to celebrate H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, at Marywood University’s Learning Commons, Room 206. The discussions are free and open to the public.

On Monday, October 29, 2018, from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Christopher Brey, Ph.D., associate professor in the science department at Marywood University, will focus the discussion on what characteristics make one pathogen deadlier than another. In the book, The War of the Worlds, the martians were destroyed by a virus/bacteria that was benign to humans, but highly pathogenic to the invaders. The discussion will center of the topic of whether or not we are prepared for the next influenza or outbreak.

On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Christopher Smith, director of the Office of Military and Veteran Services at Marywood University, will discuss how the military is portrayed in the book, The War of the Worlds, and focus the discussion on what a possible military response to a rampaging disease might look like. He will also provide tips on what basic skills and supplies might be needed in case of an extreme emergency situation.

For additional information about the Survival Discussions at Marywood University for Scranton Reads, please contact Annette M. Fischer, M.L.S., M.P.A., information literacy coordinator at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2365, or email fisher@maryu.marywood.edu.