Known for his European travel guidebooks, author and travel show host Rick Steves will present “Travel as a Political Act” at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 in the Main Stage Theatre at Lone Star College-CyFair.

Steves took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. By the time he reached 18, he jokes, “I realized I didn’t need my parents to travel!”  and he began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons.

In addition to a best-selling author of guidebooks, phrase books and “snapshot” guides, Steves is also a syndicated newspaper columnist with the Tribune Media Services and appears frequently on television, radio and online as the leading authority on European travel.

As a tv host and writer, he encourages Americans to travel as “temporary locals,” but the book “Travel as a Political Act” is a new genre of travel writing.

His upcoming talk is based on this book in which he reflects on how a life of travel has broadened his own perspectives, and how travel can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world. There will be a book signing following his talk.

Sponsoring this guest speaker are Harris County Public Library, LSC-CyFair Branch and the LSC-CyFair Branch Friends of the Library.

For information, go to LoneStar.edu/library/ricksteves or call 281.290.5276.