Author Talk with James O’Connell

• Boston and the Making of a Global City by James O’Connell
• Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 12pm - 1:00pm
• In-person and Virtual event. No registration required.
• State Library of Massachusetts - Room 341, Massachusetts State House
• Livestream on YouTube
• Books available for purchase; $25.00 cash or check

The State Library of Massachusetts Author Talks Series kicks off the New Year with author James C. O’Connell! Dr. O’Connell has written seven books on urban planning and New England history. In 2016, he spoke at the State Library on his book Dining Out in Boston: A Culinary History.

This is an in-person and virtual event. The livestream will be available on our YouTube channel courtesy of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Broadcast Services. Tune in at noon!

Be sure to sign up for our Author Talks newsletter and follow our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and X) for the latest information on our visiting authors. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be posted to our YouTube channel to watch anytime - view all past recordings here!

About the book: Boston and the Making of a Global City (2025) traces the history of Boston from an economic and globalization perspective. Today, Boston is considered a global city and leader in innovation from robotics to life sciences. Author James O’Connell explains how Boston took advantage of its world class universities and health care institutions to attract the country’s most talented scientists, students, researchers, and thinkers. From being a leading colonial port to now being a biotech hub, O’Connell offers analysis of Boston’s strengths as well as the socio-economic challenges the city faces.

About the author: James O’Connell is an adjunct professor at Boston University teaching in the City Planning-Urban Affairs Program. In addition to his seven books, O’Connell has written several articles on urban affairs. Dr. O’Connell worked as a Planner at the Boston Office of the Northeast Region of the National Park Service. His career experience encompasses regional planning and redevelopment projects within Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. from Bates College and a Ph.D. in American Urban and Cultural History from the University of Chicago.

James also hosts Urban Walking Tours of Boston. He guides groups around Boston neighborhoods including areas like the Seaport, Downtown, and the North End sharing his knowledge and perspective on urban history and city development. For more information on O’Connell and tour dates, please visit his site.

As always, this author talk is free and open to all. Assisted listening devices will be made available upon request. If you are able to join us in person for this talk, attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session with the author.

Books will be available for purchase; $25.00 cash or check.

Any questions or concerns, please email us at AuthorTalks.StateLibrary@mass.gov. For more information on the State Library Author Talks series, please visit our site.


April Pascucci 

On behalf of the Author Talks Working Group