Jim Turner, retired from the Arizona Historical Society, is a professional Arizona historian, author, and public speaker whose talks both educate & entertain a range of audiences: retirees, teachers, service clubs and professional & business conferences & conventions.
His range of knowledge and informative talks also include broader subjects, such as Southwestern and Mexican history.

Many of Jim’s talks include historic images and photographs in PowerPoint presentations. He has prepared 50 of Arizona’s most interesting stories ranging from Lost Mines & Buried Treasures to The Mormon Battalion to Tales of the Iron Horse to The Captivity of the Oatman Girls. For a complete list of Jim’s topics, click here.

With two weeks’ notice, Jim can tailor historical subjects for specific interests, such as law, medicine, and journalism. He adjusts the length of his presentations according to his audiences’ requirements: usually 20 to 90 minutes.

Jim’s most recent book, Arizona: A Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, is a beautifully illustrated history of Arizona with fascinating stories and images you will not likely read or see anywhere else.

To arrange a Jim Turner presentation for your group, email jturner@u.arizona.edu.