Gary Noy,  Author and Lecturer

Lectures and Presentations

Due to recovery from a heart attack suffered in September 2023, Gary Noy is not scheduling any presentations on Sierra Nevada history, California Gold Rush, and/or California in the 19th century.

Gary is available for book signings and interviews (Zoom or otherwise).

Testimonials

"Your presentation was delightful and informative .... You certainly imparted the joy of learning more about this amazing place called the Sierra Nevada." -- Beverly Lewis, Director of the Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office

"An extraordinarily fine presentation." -- JoAnn Levy, author of They Saw the Elephant: Women of the California Gold Rush

"Gary tailored his talk to the audience of women by telling about the extraordinary women that have helped to weave our rich heritage of wonderful characters of the Sierra Nevada.  His presentation was enjoyed by all."  -- Barbara Vineyard, Sierra College Patrons, Sierra College Board of Trustees emeritus

"Gary Noy regaled a large audience at the California State Library with his vignettes on the High Sierra.  He is a master story teller and brought out little known and often humorous facts about the great 'Range of Light.'  He embellished his presentation with rare images of pioneers and tantalizing views of the region's sublime landscape.  He has a unique ability to combine drama and humor.  As evidenced by the many questions afterwards, the audience loved his presentation...."-- Gary Kurutz, Director, California History Room and Special Collections, California State Library, Sacramento

"I would like to thank you for your presentation at the Leadership Auburn class of 2014.  The participants including the VIP guests provided me with great feedback on your informative presentation.  This was my second time hearing you.  I enjoyed it as much as the first time." -- Manouch Shirvanioun, Leadership Auburn Program Day Coordinator, Auburn Chamber of Commerce

"Professor Gary Noy, a gifted author and storyteller, enthralled his audience with an excellent presentation of excerpts from his new book Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Schemers, Bigots and Rogues. His lively talk, as part of the Rocklin Historical Society's Sunday Series of Lectures, proved equal parts fine scholarship and thoroughly enjoyable entertainment." -- Daniel DeFoe, President, Rocklin Historical Society

"One of the most interesting presentations we have had in some time." -- Jeff Patton, President, Auburn Rotary

"Your presentation was intriguing, very organized, and well supported with quality images and superb storytelling." -- Melony Vance, Community Programs Manager, Bear Yuba Land Trust

"Gary Noy tailored his presentation of 'Sierra Stories' just exactly how we wanted it to be.  He catered to both youth and senior citizens at the same time, peaking their interest with 'teasers.' which he weaved creatively throughout his talk.  If I were asked how Gary could have improved this event, I couldn't come up with a thing.  The words went down as smoothly as ice cream on a hot day.  In sum, he sure knows how to please a crowd." --  Lisa Foley, Director, Library and Media Services, Lake Tahoe Community College

"Thank you very much for another wonderful presentation for the Nevada County Historical Society.  We can always count on you to do an entertaining and educating program that our audiences will love.  You're one of our favorite choices for our monthly speaker program because you're dependable and we know that you will come prepared ... And, you always fill the house!" -- Wayne Teague, Membership Director and Speaker Program Committee Member, Nevada County Historical Society 

"On a late May snowy night, the community of South Lake Tahoe braved the elements to hear Mr. Noy present his book Sierra Stories. I have been a student of our local history and was so thoroughly surprised by the new stories and characters shared tonight.  The entire audience was rapt, listening to the great descriptions of lives brought to life by Mr. Noy.  This presentation was a real page turner and we eagerly await a return visit." -- Denise Haerr, Programs Coordinator, Friends of the Library, El Dorado County Library, South Lake Tahoe Branch

"Having Gary Noy at CHS was amazing!  He was easy to work with and really engaged with the audience.  His presentation was exciting, funny, and taught, even the history lover, a thing or two about the Sierras.  He was amazing with our staff, very flexible, and really kind." -- Patricia Pforte, Programs and Outreach, California Historical Society

"As always, a superb job!  You have an amazing ability to weave together multiple strands of history into a coherent and fascinating narrative -- always leaving the audience wanting to hear just one more story." -- Dr. Jennifer Skillen, Department of Biological Sciences and Coordinator of the Sierra College Natural History Museum Lecture Series, Sierra Community College

"Excellent and well received by all in attendance." -- Leslie Lawton, Speaker Program Coordinator, Sunnyvale Historical Society Museum

"[Your lecture] was very thought provoking and a great use of old quotes and historical examples....You are a delightful presenter and it was a truly enjoyable evening." -- Dr. Kim Bateman, Executive Dean of the Sierra College Tahoe-Truckee campus and Founder/Coordinator of the Sierra College Insights Lecture Series

"Gary Noy's lively Sierra Stories presentation is both entertaining and informative.  We were all inspired to go forth and find our local histories, and we eagerly await a next volume of tales -- and another visit -- from Gary." -- Lynne Almeida, owner, Spellbinder Books, Bishop, California

"Interesting, Informative, Entertaining.  Gary's presentation to my Rotary Club meeting this past Friday was a hit with the members.  His Nevada oriented discussion of Sierra Nevada history, on the occasion of our State's 150th Birthday [October 31, 2014] could not have been better and more timely.  Gary is a master storyteller who engages his audience with interesting facts and tidbits from history.  As program chairman, I will have him back, repeatedly, until we hear his entire catalog of historical tales." -- Chris Cook, Rotary Club of Reno-Sunrise, Program Chairman 2014

"Gary Noy presented a simply engrossing program to the Retired Public Employees Association of California, Nevada County Chapter.  The story of local figure Alonzo Delano, tailored to our mostly Grass Valley crowd, was told and illustrated in such a way that all of us felt like we were right there with Delano, experiencing the 1849 wagon trip west and participating in his California Gold Rush narrative.  Gary is a consummate storyteller and his observation that in all of us there are many stories worked its magic as we began to share stories of our past after the presentation.  Not only did Gary make us all think of our personal histories, he was enthusiastic and humorous throughout the telling of Delano's life.  Gary's program was enjoyed by all and was definitely a highlight of our year."  -- Mary Ann Trygg, RPEA Vice-President

"I've had the pleasure to work with Gary numerous times and he is always a delight.  His vast knowledge coupled with his warmth, humor, and accessibility, makes him simply awesome." -- Angie Kelsey, The Book Seller Bookstore, Grass Valley, California

"Gary's presentation to our hiking club was captivating and very much enjoyed by all.  Many bought his book to hear more 'Sierra Stories.'  Would recommend Gary to present to your group.  Not only an engaging presentation, Gary was quick to reply to email, showed up early, and made time to stay around after for questions and discussion." -- Jennie Gordon, Tahoe Trail Trekkers

"The presentation by Gary Noy of excerpts from his book SIERRA STORIES: TALES OF DREAMERS, SCHEMERS, BIGOTS AND ROGUES  was one of the very best our group of seniors has ever enjoyed.  Gary has a deep knowledge of and genuine love for the “hidden stories” of the  personalities who settled the west.   His use of historical photography combined with his considerable speaking skills held our audience in rapt attention.  One of the most informative aspects of his presentation is the way he incorporates the rest of the story -- what happened to these personalities and what were their contributions to the westward expansion after the events for which they were noted in the history books.  We certainly would highly recommend Gary to any group and we intend to have him back when his next book is published." -- Ray Garland, SBC TRAILBLAZERS, Sierra Bible Church, Truckee

"In February 2016 over 50 members of the Stanford Alumni of Nevada County gathered in the historic North Star House in Grass Valley for the winter cultural presentation.  Professor Gary Noy, a wonderfully interesting and entertaining speaker who is also a Grass Valley native son presented an illustrated lecture on Alonzo Delano's journey to Grass Valley during the Gold Rush.  He shared the many contributions made to the local community by this ancestor of Franklin Delano Roosevelt which piqued the interest of many, judging from the lively Q and A afterwards.  Gary was a pleasure to work with and very generous with his time and extensive knowledge." -- Joan Goddard, Steering Committee, Stanford Alumni of Nevada County