The California Academy of Sciences

"I was overwhelmed by the emotion of the show and, judging by the ovations, so was the whole audience. You masterfully tread the fine line between pathos and pitfall, humor and humility. As a storyteller you have developed your subject so expertly that the delicacy and poignancy are not only preserved, but amplified without any sense of the crass or exaggeration. Aama is the real thing, and your conveyance of her pure perceptions enthralled us and swept us away. Thank you for such a warm and rewarding experience!

Right after the show I phoned June Anderson, one of our Anthropologists, whom I'd seen in the audience. I wanted her reaction to your talk before it was stale. I had to leave a message and in return got this message:

'The lecture was MAGNIFICENT, what more can I say?! Not only is he a good speaker but his material is WONDERFUL.! Beautiful photography too. . . it is such a plus for the Academy to have a speaker like that, it is just wonderful.' You made me laugh and you made me cry!'"

Joe Brennan
Director of Operations
California Academy of Sciences

The purpose of this letter is to give my enthusiastic recommendation of Broughton Coburn as a professional speaker. I have been in the lecture business for forty years and "Brot" has one of the most unusual programs I have ever seen.

The illustrated program "Aama's Journey" has patriotism, humor, travel and stirring inspiration all wrapped up into one. I have had the pleasure of suggesting this program to 35 different groups in the last 6 years, and reports have been uniformly good.

Here are just a few of the comments I've received:

"Excellent presentation, beautiful photography, interesting subject - he was well received and enjoyed!"

"We loved his performance."

"The most moving, beautiful evening we have had."

"A heartwarming presentation - just super."

At least two of my groups have invited Mr. Coburn back for a repeat appearance in less than five years. This is unusual and a tribute to the fact that he has something to say and knows how to say it. I believe any group that schedules Broughton Coburn to speak on "Aama's Journey" is in for a treat.

Ben B. Franklin
President
Associated Clubs

Your audience was rapt, and you touched something deep that left us all thoughtful on the way home - and hopefully for a long time.

Sunset Club members are generous, as a rule, with compliments; but their praise for you and Didi, your courage, compassion, sense of adventure and caring was all in superlatives. I, of course, lapped it up and bathed in reflected glory. It's nice to have worked on a success - nay, a hit!"

Thank you very much for the program on Tuesday, and best wishes to you and Didi and Phoebe from all who were at the Sunset Club that night.

Shirley Cross, Chairman
Evening Programs

"Thank you again for such a wonderful evening. I think many wished they could have met Aama in person, after such an endearing introduction by you. Your program was inspiring, educational, entertaining, unusual, and a perspective on life in our country that we all need to see. After the events of last year, the timing of your topic could not have been better."

Jeff Heilburn
General Manager

"The slide presentation and discussion of your journey was wonderful. The audience seemed mesmerized by the presentation and the wonderful question and answer period."

Suzanne Chuberka
Program Coordinator

"Your program precipitated the most conversation of any of the Winter Speakers Series talks. Reactions were so varied - 'It was the best one!' to 'I cried through the whole thing.' The staff dining room was buzzing with conversation about the program the morning after. Your program was narratively and visually fascinating. Thanks for a very provocative and entertaining evening...."

Diane Carillo
Speakers Series Coordinator

"Many wonderful thanks to you for such a touching, humorous and refreshing look at life - through the eyes of "spirited Aama." You most certainly won over our sellout audience and Jane, a long time volunteer, felt it was the best lecture she has seen - a true compliment...."

Katie Flippen