The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted a discussion on the conflict and famine crisis in South Sudan. Panelists discussed the violence against humanitarian aid workers in the region and the need for more international support in helping to find a political solution. One panelist from South Sudan told the audience that his country needed advice, not an army, and strongly urged international leaders to not "take over the country" but to continue to support peace and humanitarian efforts.
Former pro-football player turned astronaut, Leland Melvin, discusses his life and career. His book is "Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances."
Mark Pendergrast explores urban revitalization in Atlanta and its impact on the communities living in the city in his book, "City on the Verge." Atlanta is embarking upon a long term project to build a 22 mile beltline around the city, incorporating street cars and parks connected by trails.
Jennifer Keene, professor and chair of the history department at Chapman University, talks about her book, "World War I: The American Soldier Experience." This event, part of the 2017 Colby Military Writers' Symposium, was held at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
Heather Ann Thompson discusses her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy." This event is part of the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest, held annually in the city.
Author Scott Farris explores the life of Inga Arvad, including her love affair with John F. Kennedy and her connections to Adolph Hitler and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Ali Soufan, former FBI terrorism investigator, talks about the terrorist groups that have emerged since the death of Osama bin Laden and suggests ways to deal with them. This event was held at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC.
Craig Shirley talked about his book, "Reagan Rising: The Decisive Years, 1976-1980." He spoke with Juan Williams from the James Michener Pavilion at the 2017 Gaithersburg Book Festival, held on the grounds of City Hall in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush remember their childhood and formative years living in the White House from the publishing industry's annual trade show, Book Expo, in New York City.
Peter Andreas, international studies professor at Brown University, recalls his mother's transformation from a Kansas housewife in the 1950s to a political radical on the run with her son from the late sixties to the early eighties. The author reports that his mother kidnapped him and took him across the country and into South America, as she engaged in many of the era's political movements. He speaks at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Fortune executive editor Adam Lashinsky reports on the rise of Uber, the richest Silicon Valley startup and it's CEO Travis Kalanick. Uber reports having 80 million users, operating in 77 countries, & worth $69 billion dollars. He is in conversation with Kara Swisher, executive editor of Recode.
Dr. Elizabeth Ford discusses her work in mental health caring for the inmates in New York City jails in her book, "Sometimes Amazing Things Happen." She examines the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system.
Robert Caro and Horace Mann School student, Sarah Zeng, recipient of the Robert Caro Prize for Literary Excellence in the Writing of History, deliver remarks.
Michael Korda, former editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster, recalls the evacuation of over 300,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, in 1940, from the publishing industry's annual trade show, Book Expo, in New York City.
Temple University Professor Heath Davis examines gender identity in his book, "Beyond Trans: Does Gender Matter?" He is interviewed by Sarah Ellis GLAAD President & CEO
Henry Olsen, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, argues that Ronald Reagan not only considered himself a successor to FDR's New Deal policy but was more progressive than President Roosevelt. He further contends that Republicans need to reconnect with Reagan's vision of the New Deal in order to stay relevant.
Co-editors Laura Caldwell and Leslie Klinger discuss the stories of 14 exonerated inmates in their book, "Anatomy of Innocence." Each of the exonerees retell their stories thru crime and mystery writers, including S.J. Rozan and, Michael Hervy and Gayle Lynds.
Actor Ed Asner offers his thoughts on the current political landscape and the U.S. Constitution from the publishing industry's annual trade show, Book Expo, in New York City.
Tom Nichols, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, argues that, due to the spread of the internet and 24-hour news, everyone now feels like they know everything. As a result, the opinions of experts are being discounted or ignored on many important issues. Nichols says that this is a dangerous development that threatens our democracy. Prof. Nichols spoke at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC.
Garrett Graff looks at the U.S. government's Doomsday plans that have been in development for the past sixty years. The author reports on how the government would to continue to operate in the wake of a catastrophic attack and the numerous bunkers that have sat ready since the Cold War that would house government officials. He speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Former Speaker of the House and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich discusses his book, "Understanding Trump." Mr. Gingrich talks about his experiences with Donald Trump during the campaign through his transition to President of the United State. He is interviewed by Jonathan Salant, Washington Correspondent for NJ Advance Media.
Ex-offender Susan Burton, in her book, "Becoming Ms. Burton," recalls her journey from incarceration to becoming the founder and executive director of A New Way of Life, an organization that provides housing and assistance to women who've been incarcerated.