The school has organized a panel discussion on relief efforts and artists" responses to Hurricane Sandy. Charles H. Traub, the chair of the M.F.A. Photography, Video, and Related Media Department, is the moderator, and the participants include John Mattiuzzi, Jessica Rionero, Chelsea Marino, Dena Muller, and Kathy Shorr. Jan. 31 at 7.) The historians James Oakes, of the Graduate Center, and Sean Wilentz, of Princeton, discuss Oakes's latest book, "Freedom National: The Destruction of Slavery in the United States, 1861-1865." (Elebash Recital Hall, 365 Fifth Ave., at 34th St. 212-817-8215. Feb. 4 at 6:30.) The New York Review of Books celebrates its fiftieth anniversary with a program featuring John Banville, Mary Beard, Michael Chabon, Mark Danner, Joan Didion, Daniel Mendelsohn, Darryl Pinckney, and the publication's editor, Robert B. Silvers, who founded it with the late Barbara Epstein. Feb. 5 at 7:30.) Tom Reiss, the author of "The Orientalist," discusses his latest book, "The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo," which is about General Alex Dumas, the father of the novelist Alexandre Dumas. (15 Gramercy Park S. 212-475-3424.