2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival

Stieg Larsson’s books have sold more than 20 million copies in 41 countries. But because they were published after his death, many have been left wondering about the true character of a man who was as passionate in his campaign against Swedish neo-Nazism as he was about writing.

The reissue of his early novels as Penguin Classics in 2011 underlines his status as a giant of American literary postmodernism. Stories like Spanking the Maid, Gerald's Party and Pricksongs and Descants show that a mordant – and morbid – humour are part of his genius.

Michigan-born writer and artist, and one of our guest selectors, Audrey Niffenegger is the author of the runaway bestseller The Time Traveler’s Wife. In this event she chats about her various books, the most recent of which is a graphic novel, The Night Bookmobile.

His last book was adapted to become The Social Network, one of the most successful movies of 2010. Mezrich then turned his attention to another strange-but-true American tale in his novel Sex on the Moon.

The former director general of MI5 has forged a new career for herself as an author of spy novels, using her inside knowledge of intelligence activities to create a credible new hero, Liz Carlyle.

The death of Osama bin Laden in May 2011 marked a key moment in the history of the so-called War on Terror. But Michael Scheuer, formerly the chief of the CIA unit responsible for capturing the elusive Saudi, believes bin Laden’s death will make no difference. Incandescent at ‘pro-terrorist’ US foreign policies,

When you hear that a book by a renowned journalist and broadcaster is subtitled ‘Time Spent Following a Lead’, you might assume it’s a memoir concerning the pursuit of headlines. But Diary of a Dog Walker is in fact Stourton’s tale/tail of going out with his pooch.

Since its publication in 1611, the King James Bible has been the world’s number one bestseller. But the book has become a story in itself. It has been the Bible of wars from the British Civil War to the American Civil War.

Are we living through the dying embers of Western ascendancy? For Scottish historian and broadcaster Niall Ferguson, the ‘killer applications’ test is the best way to measure our status with the rest of the world.

There can be few backbench politicians who have had as much influence on British politics as Tam Dalyell. Fiercely independent and a thorn in the side of several Prime Ministers, his contributions to politics include his vocal opposition to military intervention in the Falklands.

The BBC Radio adaptation of Forsyth's Delete This at Your Perilcatapulted the fictional Dundonian anti-hero Bob Servant to national attention.

In this fun, interactive event for 4-10 year olds, award-winning author-illustrator John Fardell introduced his new picture book The Day Louis Got Eaten and talked about his artwork, sketches and models.

The astonishing, triumphant television adaptation of Michel Faber's novel The Crimson Petal and the White represents a radical new step for the previously tired costume drama genre. In this event, Faber discussed his book with Lucinda Coxon.

Her book is certainly engaging but can it live up to the claims that it is the most enlightening book on sex ever published? Pamela Stephenson-Connolly's event threw up some surprises at the Book Festival in 2011

The opening event at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival drew huge crowds of 5-9 year olds and their families to see the inimitable and forever-entertaining newly appointed Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson.

It's many years since Alan Hollinghurst's last novel, The Line of Beauty, was published – a story so powerful that it beat David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas to win the 2004 Booker Prize. His follow-up, The Stranger's Child,

The explosively talented Welsh footballer John Hartson enjoyed success with Arsenal and West Ham before becoming a striker for Celtic, where he scored more than 100 goals in a glorious five year period.

Children's author Kristina Stephenson introduced her new book featuring the lovable but slightly pongy Sir Charlie Stinky Socks to the delight of her young audience of 5-7 year olds at the Book Festival.

Painter and set designer, playwright and novelist, John Byrne is one of Scotland’s great polymaths. Best known for his plays the Slab Boys Trilogy and Tutti Frutti, Byrne has also designed record sleeves for Donovan and The Beatles.

Rugby writer Richard Bath has tackled a very different kind of battle in aiding Sir Tommy Macpherson with his memoir, Behind Enemy Lines. Britain’s most decorated living war hero with three Military Crosses, three Croix de Guerre, a Légion d'Honneur and a papal knighthood.

The former stand-up comedian turned children's novelist Jonathan Meres launched his mad-cap new novel starring the hapless Norm at the Book Festival.

'I'm very grateful for Ireland,' said Edna O'Brien in a recent interview. 'It stirs things up in me.' O'Brien joins us to discuss her latest book, Saints and Sinners, which includes several stories set in her beloved home country.

When Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt went on the campaign trail in 2002, she could not have imagined that it would end in a kidnapping and six year incarceration at the hands of guerrilla forces.

Jacqueline always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was only 9. Since those early days she’s gone on to write over forty books, won many prestigious awards and created iconic characters such as Tracey Beaker.

His hotly-anticipated new novel is without question his finest to date. Launched worldwide at this event, The Cat's Table tells the story of a child and his journey from Ceylon to England on an ocean liner in the 1950s.

In 1991, cricket commentator Agnew was involved in a slice of broadcasting history with an innuendo-fuelled remark about Ian Botham. His throwaway line during a Test Match Special had his radio colleague Brian Johnston dissolving into an unstoppable fit of giggles.

You may not want Horrid Henry as your son or brother but how much fun would it be to have him in class? Francesca Simon describes his latest adventures and misadventures with all his friends and accomplices, from hapless Weepy William and Perfect Peter

The poetry of Kent-born Cope has charmed readers ever since her first collection, Making Cocoa for Kingsley Amis. In Family Values, she gives it to us straight with verse about religion, childhood and death, all imbued with her trademark wit and honesty.

The Nordic crime explosion shows no sign of abating and everyone seems to be searching for the next Stieg or Henning. Across the 600 plus pages in The Leopard, Norway’s Nesbø is looking set on continuing to mine this golden seam.

The wonderful Cathy Cassidy returns with book two of her Chocolate Box Girls series. For Cherry it’s an exciting time, ‘a new mum, a proper house, a bunch of brand-new sisters’, and in the latest book it’s time to meet Marshmallow Skye.

What should you call your vagina? And why does everyone ask you when you're going to have a baby? Caitlin Moran is on a mission to reclaim feminism and make it relevant to women today.

Her book is certainly engaging but can it live up to the claims that it is the most enlightening book on sex ever published? Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, Pamela Stephenson-Connolly turned her back on life as a TV comedian to become a sex

Thirty years ago Lanark was published, which confirmed Alasdair Gray as the most ferociously inventive Scottish writer of his generation.

It’s ten years since the publication of the landmark American Gods, a book that brought Gaiman to international fame. One reviewer even lauded him thus: ‘Saying Neil Gaiman is a writer is like saying Da Vinci dabbled in the arts.’