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. In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, Kurdo Baksi – a former colleague and the author of a new biography of Larsson – explains why the complex, dogmatic writer was ‘both a dream and a nightmare to work with’.

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. One former student described Coover as 'the most generous, rabidly intelligent, accessible, erudite and hilarious teacher I have ever met.' Another said 'Coover is flame retardant'. Recorded live, in conversation with Scotland's own literary firebrand Stuart Kelly, at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Michigan-born writer and artist, Audrey Niffenegger is the author of the runaway bestseller The Time Traveler’s Wife. In this event she chats to Stuart Kelly about her various books, the most recent of which is a graphic novel, The Night Bookmobile. The novel uses Niffenegger’s Chicago base as a backdrop to the tale of a woman who stumbles upon a magical mobile library which reflects her own reading tastes to the letter. But when the bookmobile finally moves on to the next destination, she becomes obsessive and haunted. This event was recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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. Back in 2002, a gifted former NASA intern and his girlfriend set out to steal a safe containing moon rocks from every Apollo mission. In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, he explains to Decca Aitkenhead how he reimagined the story of a real life heist

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. Rimington’s first ever visit to the Book Festival in 2011 coincided with her role as chair of the Man Booker Prize judging panel, and in this event she shares her own new novel as well as some thoughts about the world of fiction in general with Ruth Wishart. Recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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, he argues that while bin Laden was an icon and a strategic genius, al Qaeda’s next generation will be less visible and more violent. Scheuer’s hawkish views can be shocking: he believes militant Islamism is a violent enemy that the US must hold at bay. But his analysis of bin Laden’s power is unusual and intriguing. In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, he talks candidly to Ruth Wishart.

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 (the delightful Kudu) and the questions it inevitably raises: Do dogs perceive ownership as we do? How devoted is your canine? And why are they a symbol of depression (thanks Winston) when so much of the time they cheer us up? In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, he talks to Ruth Wishart.

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 and it played a part in social movements such as the abolition of slavery as well as defining attitudes to modern science, education and sex. Melvyn Bragg, in this event recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, charts a remarkable history. In conversation with Nick Barley.

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. So, how are we doing when it comes to science, democracy, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic? Not so well, he reckons. Civilization takes us on an extraordinary journey from Nanjing to Namibia, for a story of sailboats, missiles, vaccines, blue jeans and Chinese bibles. Niall Ferguson explains all to Iain Macwhirter in this hour-long event, recorded live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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 and Iraq, as well as his 'West Lothian question' about partial Scottish and Welsh devolution. Here Dalyell discusses his extraordinary life with BBC broadcaster James Naughtie in an event recorded live at Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The BBC Radio adaptation of Forsyth's Delete This at Your Peril catapulted the fictional Dundonian anti-hero Bob Servant to national attention. Servant's habit of responding to junk emails and striking up a relationship with their shady foreign senders provides a surprisingly touching and often hilarious portrait of an ordinary man from Broughty Ferry. In this very special event, Bob Servant himself was joined by some guest actors to bring his exuberant emails to life in this unmissable live performance at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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 event involved the young fans in the audience in plenty of participation. Gobbling, gurgling and gulping monsters feature as do amazing chase-and-rescue vehicles.

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, who adapted the novel for television and Romola Garai, the actor who brought the young prostitute Sugar so vividly to life on screen. Chaired by Guardian literary editor Claire Armitstead. This is the full hour-long event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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. Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, Pamela Stephenson-Connolly turned her back on life as a TV comedian to become a sex therapist. In Sex Life, Mrs Billy Connolly provides an entertaining and occasionally shocking account of how human sexual appetites continue to evolve throughout life, aiming to dispel the myths that commonly surround this most fundamental of activities. The event is chaired by Ruth Wishart.

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. A fantastic event featuring her new and recent picture books Freddie and the Fairy, The Highway Rat and Zog which prooved to be a roof-raising start to the 2011 Book Festival.

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, is perhaps the most hotly-anticipated British novel of 2011. In an epic story of two families from the eve of the Great War to the close of the 20th century, Hollinghurst paints a picture of British society in a state of flux. He talks about his work with Steven Gale in an hour long event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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. But following his retirement in 2008 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was rushed to hospital. Hartson's memoir interweaves the story of his professional success, his harrowing personal battle and the perspective of his pregnant wife when he became ill. In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, he discusses his story with Pat Nevin.

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. Offering great storytelling, music, songs and sound effects! This is the full recording of the live event at the 2011 Edinburgh International 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. We were thrilled to welcome him to the Book Festival in 2011 to discuss his written work with Jackie McGlone - it proved to be an electrifying and unforgettable hour of entertainment and you can listen to the lie recording of it here.

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, Macpherson has now revealed so much more about his wartime acts. Aged 21, he persuaded 23,000 SS soldiers to surrender, and almost single-handedly stopped Tito’s Yugoslavia annexing the whole of north-east Italy. Come and hear an astonishing story.