Author Ken Widder will discuss his book, “Beyond Pontiac’s Shadow: Michilimackinac and the Anglo-Indian War of 1763” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., Niles.

The lecture is the first in a series of four that will be presented in conjunction with the Western Michigan University Archaeological Summer Field School Program.

The presentation will focus on the early alliances between the British and Native Americans and how these prevented the attack at Michilimackinac on the British from becoming more violent.

The author will review the events leading up to the Potawatomi capture of Fort St. Joseph, when supporters of the Ottawa leader Pontiac attacked Fort St. Joseph in an attempt to remove the English from the area and to encourage the return of the French. The attack took place eight days before the surprise attack at Michilimackinac.

There is no admission fee, and the program will be presented in the community room on the lower level.