Appearances
Public Appearances, Lectures, Media Interviews & Readings
November 18, 2012, Saturday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. This will be Rich’s second tour for the Chicago History Museum in 2012. On June 23rd, he led a “Historical Baseball” tour of famous sites related to the national pastime, culminating in an insider’s tour of U.S. Cellular Field. His annual "Famous Chicago Crime Scenes” Bus Tour is slated for mid-November this year. The four-hour tour kicks off at the Chicago History Museum, Clark Street & North Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. CST on the Saturday. Reservations only. Please call Ilana Bruton at the Museum to book a reservation. Phone: 312-799-2158.
November 17, 2012, Saturday 10:00 a.m - 11:30 a.m. BOOK SIGNING, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL . Rich will be signing copies of his memoir, "Whiskey Breakfast: My Sweedish Family My American Life" at this famously known independent book store. Call Roberta Rubin at 847-446-8880.
October 25, 2012, Thursday, 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Lake Forest / Lake Bluff Senior Citizen’s Center Men’s Club, 100 Old Mill Road, Lake Forest. A presentation and discussion of Prohibition Era Chicago. Contact Spencer Isola at
October 18, 2012, Thursday, 12:30 p.m. Rotary Club of Arlington Heights, meeting at the Wellington of Arlington Restaurant, 2121 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL. Presentation about Chicago true crime. Contact: Lynn Jensen at
October 15, 2012, Monday, 1:30 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Devine Savior Young at Heart Club, 7740 W. Montross, Norridge, IL. A presentation and discussion of “Notorious Chicago Criminals.” Contact Mary Merkle at
September 26, 2012, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Lyons Public Library presentation. “Heartland Serial Killers.” 4209 Joliet Avenue, Lyons, IL. Kathy Waymire at or call (708) 447-3577
August 18, 2012, Saturday. The annual National Guardian Railroad Convention, meeting at Pheasant Run Playhouse, 4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL. Presentation about “Prohibition Era Chicago.” Contact: Lorrie Rockey at .
August 10, 2012, Friday, 10:00 a.m.- Noon. National Louis University North Shore Campus, 5202 Old Orchard Road, Skokie. Adult education seminar on the “Genesis of Windy City Crime.” Contact: Joan Marks at 800-443-5522.
July 16, 2012, Monday, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Main Township Mainstreamer’s Club presentation: “Return to the Scene of the Crime.” 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge IL. Contact: Marie Dachniewsky at 847-297-2510
Narrated Bus Tours:
November 5, 12, 19, 2011 - Three Saturdays, 1:00-5:00 p.m., Chicago History Museum's annual "Chicago Crime Scenes Bus Tour." This year the tours will be expanded to three, held on consecutive Saturdays in November to accompany a True Crime Seminar Lecture Series Rich will be leading at the Museum on November 1st, 8th, and 15th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. On November 1, Professor John Hagedorn of the University of Illinois will be speaking about Chicago Street Gangs. Art Bilek of the Chicago Crime Commission will be discussing Chicago Organized Crime on November 8th, and the third program will be a forum on Chicago homicide – the speaker to be determined. The four-hour tours kick off at the Chicago History Museum, Clark Street & North Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. CST on the Saturdays indicated. Reservations only. Please call Ilana Bruton at the Museum to book a reservation. Phone: 312-799-2158.
October 15, 2011, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Seventh Annual Joliet Regional Author Fair. Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch, 3395 Black Road, Joliet, IL. Author exhibits and book signings. Rich will be selling books and signing copies. Call Nancy Martinez at 815-846-6504 for information.
June 20, 2011, Monday, Mather Lifeways Café, 1:00 p.m. Afternoon presentation to the Mather Lifeways members and the general public at 7134 W. Higgins Ave., Chicago, IL. Rich will discuss the "Jack Ruby Connection to the Kennedy Assassination." Contact: Chuck Frelich at 847.493.6757.
June 12, 2011, Sunday, 10:00 p.m. (CST) Radio interview with host Milt Rosenberg on Extension 720: WGN - AM 720. The program also steams live over the Internet. Rich will make another appearance on the award-winning, two-hour book forum hosted by Dr. Rosenberg since 1972. Rich will be discussing his latest book, "Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago," just published by Northern Illinois University Press.
May 22, 2011, Sunday, 7:30-8:00 a.m. Radio interview on the "Sunday Papers" program hosted by Rick Kogan on WGN-AM 720. Rich will be discussing his new book "Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago."
May 16, 2011, Monday, 7:00 p.m. Elmwood Park Historical Society at the Elmwood Park Public Library, 1 West Conti Parkway Elmwood Park, IL 60707-4506. Rich will give a presentation on the history of the Chicago Police Department. Contact Jim Ashby at or (708) 453-7645
May 14, 2011, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Centuries & Sleuths Book Store, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL.. Rich will give a presentation and book signing for "Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago." For details, call 708-771-7243 or e-mail Augie Aleksy at
May 11, 2011, Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. Television appearance on the WGN-TV mid-day show – the Mid-day Author segment. Rich will be discussing his new book "Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago."
April 28, 2011, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. The Cook Memorial Library, 114 North Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048. Rich Lindberg and George Castle reprise their White Sox-Cub presentation. Contact: Ellen Bassett at 847-362-2330, x-1010 for further information.
April 21, 2011, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. The Park at Vernon Hills, 145 North Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Rich Lindberg makes his second appearance in less than a month at the senior independent living center, this time discussing White Sox baseball. Contact: Sherri Imperial at 847-793-7009. for further information.
April 14, 2011, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. The Lake Villa Library will be hosting Rich and George Castle for a Sox-Cub discussion off-site at Jack & Lydia's Resort, 38610 North Edgewood Street, Lake Villa, IL 60046-9529. Phone: (847) 356-1389. Contact: Nina Kenney at the library at 847-356-7711, x-216 for further information.
March 29, 2011, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. The Homer Township Public Library, 14320 W. 151st Street, Homer Glen. Rich will be doing a Chicago Crime Scenes presentation. Contact: Heather Colby at 708-301-7908 for further information.
March 22, 2011,Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. The Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004. Rich will be doing a presentation on "Notorious Chicago Criminals." Contact: Kate Niehoff at 506-2638 for further information.
March 19, 2011, Saturday, 7:00 p.m. The Park at Vernon Hills, 145 North Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Rich makes the first of two appearances at the senior independent living center, this time discussing Al Capone and Prohibition Chicago. Contact: Sherri Imperial at 847-793-7009 for further information.
March 10, 2011, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. The Boone County Historical Society, 311 Whitney Boulevard, Belvidere, IL 61008. Rich will be doing a Chicago Crime Scenes presentation. Contact: Frank Crawford at 815-544-8391 for further information.
November 22, 2010, Monday, 1:00 p.m., for the members and guests of the 19th Century Club, 178 Forrest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301. Rich will give a presentation on his award-winning book The Gambler King of Clark Street, featuring a discussion and slide presentation. The 19th Century Club is a distinguished group of historians and individuals, who, like Rich, are deeply interested in this fascinating and richly nuanced era of American history. Visit them on their website at www.19thcenturyclub.com. For event details or additional information contact Debb Hammond at 708.386.2729, or e-mail .
November 6, 2010, Saturday, 1:00 p.m. Chicago History Museum's fourth annual "Chicago Crime Scenes Bus Tour." After leading three successful tours beginning with the North Side in 2007, the South Side in 2008, and the Northwest Side for 2009, Rich will once again lead History Museum patrons to infamous crime scenes and sin spots on Chicago's West Side, reaching into Cicero. The four-hour tour kicks off at the Chicago History Museum, Clark Street & North Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. CST. Reservations only. Please call Brianne Peck Bertucca at the Museum to book a reservation. Phone: 312-799-2158.
October 20, 2010, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Rich returns to the Tinley Park Library, 7851 Timber Drive, Tinley Park, IL, to present "A Chicago Historical Crime Tour."
September 4, 2010, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Augie and Tracy Aleksy, the proprietors of the Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore at 7419 W. Madison in Forest Park, IL, are marking their 20th anniversary in business. To celebrate they are scheduling a month long calendar of events and author panel discussions. Rich will participate in the first author panel discussion to kick off the celebration on Saturday, September 4. He will be joined by authors Donald Evans, Jerry Peterson, Donald Terras and Francis McNamara.
For details, e-mail Augie at:
July 11, 2010, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. In conjunction with the library's summer reading program titled "Illinois: Legends, Legacies and Lore," at the Lake Villa Public Library, 1001 E. Grand Avenue, Lake Villa, IL, Rich will present his presentation on "Notorious Chicago, Criminals, Crime Scenes, and Chicago Legends." Contact: Nina Kenney at 847.356.7711, x-216
June 30, 2010, Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. at the Mather Lifeways Café, 3235 Central Avenue, Chicago, IL. Rich will profile his forthcoming book Mr. & Mrs. Bluebeard: American Serial Killers in the Heartland, featuring a discussion and slide presentation about the central characters to the Gaslight era crime spree - Belle Gunness & Johann Hoch. Contact: Chuck Frelich at 847-492-6757.
June 9, 2010, Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. for the Cook Memorial Library at the Libertyville Civic Center, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL. "A Chicago Historical Crime Tour." Contact: Ellen Bassett at 847-362-2330, x-1114 or
March 25, 2010, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. at the Alsip Public Library, 11960 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, IL "The White Sox Past and Present: Previewing the 2010 Season." Contact: Maritza Ruiz at 708-371-5666.
February 12, 2010, Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. at Mather Lifeways Café, 3235 N. Central Ave., Chicago, IL "The Gambler King of Clark Street, Michael C. McDonald and Gaslight Era Crime." Contact: Chuck Freilich at
January 14, 2010, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Park Public Library, 1 West Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park, IL 60707. " A Chicago Historical Crime Tour." Contact: Jim Ashby, Friends of the Elmwood Park Public Library at .
December 18, 2009 Friday. Television Appearance. Rich will be providing commentary on the Biography Channel series “Mobsters.” This episode profiles Chicago crime boss, the late Tony Accardo. (Tentatively scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST, but check www.biography.com to confirm).
November 7, 2009, Saturday, 1:00 p.m. Chicago History Museum's third annual "Chicago Crime Scenes Bus Tour." After leading two successful tours of the North Side in 2007 and the South Side in 2008, Rich will take History Museum patrons to the infamous crime scenes and sin spots on Chicago's Northwest Side. The four-hour tour kicks off at the Chicago History Museum, Clark Street & North Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. CST. Reservations only. Please call Brianne Peck at the Museum to book a reservation. Call: 312-799-2158.
October 14, 2009, Tuesday, at 7:00 p.m.. At the Carl Roden Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6083 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago, IL. Rich will appear at his home library to discuss the life and times of Mike McDonald. Call Sharon Gums or Bruce Fox at 312-744-1478 for additional detals.
October 6, 2009, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Green Hills Library, 8611 West 103rd St., Palos Hills, IL. "The Gambler King of Clark Street, Michael C. McDonald and Gaslight Era Crime."
Call Doris Broschofsky at (708) 598-8446, ex. 13
September 30, 2009, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W Oakton St., Niles, IL 60714. "The Gambler King of Clark Street, Michael C. McDonald and Gaslight Era Crime."
Contact: Neil O’Shea at (847) 663-1234 or
August 16, 2009, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Outdoor Book & Collectible Fair on the grounds of the historic Noble-Seymour-Crippen home. Rich and Carol Carlson will be signing “Chicago: Yesterday & Today,” and will give a presentation. Event sponsored by the Norwood Park Historical Society, 5624 N. Newark Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.
Call: (773) 631-4633
August 12, 2009, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Elmhurst Library, 125 S. Prospect, Elmhurst, IL. "Gaslight Era Crime."
Call Nadine Bachman at 630-279-8696
August 1, 2009, Saturday, 2:00 p.m. at Centuries & Sleuth's Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison Street, Forest Park, IL. Author discussion, slide presentation & book signing. It's been several years since Rich last appeared at this fine independent book store in the Western suburbs featuring the best in history, mystery, and related subject matter. Centuries & Sleuths sponsors many author events and discussion groups throughout the year, and is a place where book lovers can gather and meet in wonderful surroundings and is consistently ranked one of the best in the Metro area. Rich will be signing copies of The Gambler King of Clark Street: Michael C. McDonald & the Rise of Chicago's Democratic Machine, and discussing the life and times of the famous rogue gambler; his impact on politics and organized crime in the Windy City and his troubled love life culminating in murder and scandal in 1907. In addition, copies of his other new book, Chicago: Yesterday & Today co-authored with Carol Jean Carlson, will likely be available for purchase and signing.
For more information call Augie Aleksy, owner and proprietor of Centuries & Sleuths at 708-771-7243.
July 22, 2009, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Barrington Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington, IL. "True Crime."
Call Julia at 847-382-1300.
June 13, 2009, Saturday, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. An "Eliot Ness Anniversary Reception" at Via Ventuno Restaurant (formerly Room 21), at 2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL. In March of this year, restaurateur Jerry Kleiner changed the name of his famous South Side eatery, Room 21, to Via Ventuno, in order to give it more of an Italian flavor in the old Levee District, and keeping with the fact that this building was once an Al Capone distillery and liquor depot raided by Eliot Ness and his Untouchables on June 13, 1930 – a little known oddity of Chicago crime history that Rich uncovered during his book research for Return to the Scene of the Crime. This was the first official raid Ness led in the City of Chicago as head of the Treasury Department unit we remember as the "Untouchables." Rich will present his history of the Levee District and its later years as the headquarters of the Capone Gang in a lively presentation marking the historic anniversary. This event will be covered extensively by local media and the public is invited with no admission cost.
For more information call publicist Lauri DiGiacomo at 312-217-3578 or the restaurant directly at 312-328-1198.
Radio Appearance:
June 5, 2009, Friday, 9:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Radio appearance on Dr. Milt Rosenberg's Extension 720 program on WGN-AM 720. Rich will be discussing his new book "The Gambler King of Clark Street: Michael C. McDonald and the Rise of Chicago’s Democratic Machine."
May 6, 2009, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Palos Heights Library, 12501 S. 71st Street, Palos Heights, IL., 60463. "The White Sox, Then and Now."
Call Mary Johnson at 708-448-1473 for futher event details.
April 1, 2008, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Library presentation: "Your White Sox: Past Present and Future," at the Palos Park Public Library, 12330 Forest Glen Boulevard, Palos Park, IL.
Contact: Jeannine Kacmar at 708-448-1530
Contact: Therese Tully at 847-297-5225
February 28, 2008, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. A slide presentation and talk to the Norwood Park Historical Society (NPHS) about the Schuessler-Peterson Case and "Shattered Sense of Innocence," at the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, 5624 Newark, Avenue, Chicago, IL.
Contact: Tom Spenney at 773-631-4633
October 23, 2007, Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 p.m. A talk on "Infamous Places" to the Maine Township "MaineStreamer's" Men's Group.
Contact: Therese Tully at 847-297-5225
August 9, 2007, Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. A talk on "Infamous Places" at the Des Plaines Historical Society, 781 Pearson St., Des Plaines, IL.
Contact: Susan Golland at 847-391-5399
July 16, 2007, Monday, 7:30 p.m. at the Frankfort Library in Frankfort, IL, 2119 S. Pfeiffer Road. "Infamous Crime Scenes."
Contact: Melissa Rice at 815-534-6177
July 10, 2007, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Prairie Trails Library in Burbank, IL, 8449 S. Moody Ave. "Infamous Crime Scenes."
Contact: Mary Jane O'Brien at 708-430-3688
June 11, 2007, Monday, 7:00 p.m. "White Sox vs. Cubs," with George Castle at Harper College. Location may shift to Addolarta Village, Wheeling. Details pending.
Contact: 847-925-6026 or e-mail
June 10, 2007, Sunday, 2:00 p.m., at the Helen Plum Memorial Library, 110 Maple St., Lombard, IL. "Total White Sox."
Contact: Laura Schindler at 630-627-0316
May 24, 2007, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. "White Sox vs. Cubs," a debate with George Castle at the Grayslake, IL Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake, IL.
Contact: Allison Wilmes at 847-223-5313, ex. 433
May 18, 2007, Friday. Presentation to the Illinois Library Association, at the Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, IL.
May 10, 2007, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. A panel discussion on true crime in the Windy City with fellow authors Rick Kogan and Maurice Possley of the Tribune at the Glenview, IL Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview, IL.
Contact: Anne Feeney at 847-729-7500
April 28, 2007, Saturday, 3:00 p.m.- at the Acorn Public Library, 15624 S. Central, Oak Forest, IL. "Total White Sox: A Look Back and a Preview of the The New Season."
Contact: Barb Wolfe at 708-687-3700
April 26, 2007, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.- at the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL. "Total White Sox: A Look Back and a Preview of the The Season Ahead."
Contact: Sandra Iosue at 708-474-2447
April 21, 2007, Saturday, 2:00 p.m., at the Berwyn Public Library, 2701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL. "Total White Sox: The Season Ahead."
Contact: Sharon Lorenzi at 708-795-8000, ex-3005
March 20, 2007, Tuesday, 10:15 a.m. A talk on true crime, and famous crime scenes at the Grayslake, IL Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake, IL.
Contact: Allison Wilmes at 847-223-5313, ex. 433
February 20, 2007, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Prairie Trails Library in Burbank, IL, 8449 S. Moody Ave. "Total White Sox: The Season Ahead."
Contact: Mary Jane O'Brien at 708-430-3688
prior appearances
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