EARLY SURGERY Monica Green lectures as part of the series “Medicine Before Modernity.” Her talk is titled “Gynecology and Surgery: Alliances of Knowledge and Practice in the Pre-Modern Period.” The talk focuses on the melding of surgery and gynecology in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, which effectively transferred gynecological treatment to men from women. Tonight, 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture, the New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Ave. at 103rd Street, 212-822-7200, free.

BRONX TALES Jonathan Mahler discusses his book “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). It chronicles the remarkable year of 1977 in New York City: “Son of Sam” was on the loose, a blackout threw the city into chaos, Yankee Reggie Jackson fought with manager Billy Martin, Edward Koch and Mario Cuomo were in a heated mayoral race, and Studio 54 opened its doors for the first time. A special viewing of the exhibit “New York Comes Back: Mayor Ed Koch and the City” precedes the talk (6 p.m.). Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., between 103rd and 104th streets, 212-534-1672 ext. 3395, $7 general, $5 seniors, students, and members.

TRAFFIC TALK A symposium addresses the Jewish response to human trafficking across international borders. Panelists at “Freeing the Captives” include the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform, Rabbi David Saperstein; an NGO representative, Sister Clare Nolan, and a professor of codes and responsa literature at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Alyssa Gray. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 1 W. 4th St. at Broadway, 212-824-2272, free. Note: Photo identification required.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY The editor of the new book “Art Photography Now” (Thames & Hudson), Susan Bright, moderates a panel discussion with the artists Gregory Crewdson, Katy Grannan, and Laura Letinsky, who give their opinions on the most innovative and compelling photography currently being made. Tonight, 7 p.m., the New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 W. 12th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-229-5353, free.

JOHN BROWN’S BODY Historian David Reynolds lectures on the legacy of abolitionist John Brown, who he argues was a “Puritan warrior” whose crusade to end slavery transcended his times.The talk is based on his book “John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded Civil Rights” (Knopf). Tomorrow, 5:30 p.m., New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-485-9205, $12 general, $6 seniors, teachers, students, and members.

LINCOLN’S TEAM Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin participates in a conversation with Bill Goldstein about her new book, “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” (Simon & Schuster). She discusses her research process – the book was 10 years in the making – and what makes Lincoln one of the best chronicled but least understood American presidents. The discussion is part of the Theatre of Ideas series. Monday, 8 p.m., Columbia University, Miller Theatre, 2960 Broadway at 116th Street, 212-854-7799, $15 general, $9 students.

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