University of Oregon journalism professor Lauren Kessler will make her second appearance Tuesday, Jan. 16, on the popular CBS late night television program, "The Late Show with David Letterman." On her first appearance in October, Letterman declared Kessler the first author in his book club. However, Letterman ran out of time on that show before he could talk with her about her latest book, "The Happy Bottom Riding Club, The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes," published this year by Random House. The book chronicles the life of an early aviatrix, stunt pilot and contemporary of Amelia Earhart. Barnes’ ranch, The Happy Bottom Riding Club, was the hangout for test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The book caught the attention of talk show host Letterman, an aviation enthusiast who reportedly "loved it." "The hard-drinking, sexually promiscuous pilot and adventuress Florence ‘Pancho’ Barnes exploded every feminine stereotype on the books," wrote author Barbara Ehrenreich. "Thank you, Lauren Kessler, for telling her story with the grace and exuberance it deserves." The Jan. 16 show will be taped Tuesday afternoon. Kessler will fly to New York this weekend so reporters need to arrange interviews before Friday, Jan. 12. Background on Kessler is available from her website at <http://lnf.uoregon.edu/faculty/kessler.html>.

This week, Kessler can be reached at (541) 346-3753. Next week, she can be reached Monday and Tuesday evenings, Jan. 16—17, at Le Parker Meridien, (212) 245-5000.

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