As we continue to bring out public programs from our vault, I dug through to find those that I thought deserved another look and wider audience. From enlightening conversations to thorough presentations by leading authorities, I have compiled a list for your viewing enjoyment!
David Reynolds, PhD, “The Kremlin Letters”
Professor Reynolds, the eminent scholar and prolific author, came to share insights in the relationship between the Big Three during the war through their correspondence. A special guest in the crowd that night was none other than Emma Soames, granddaughter of Winston Churchill! The program begins at the 04:00 mark and lasts roughly 75 minutes.
Eden McLean, PhD, “Mussolini’s Children”
Dr. McLean, an assistant professor of history at Auburn University, came to present on the hauntingly fascinating topic of race and elementary education in Fascist Italy, and how “Il Duce” molded the young minds of his nation. Dr. McLean was interviewed by Guenter Bischof, PhD, of the University of New Orleans and one of the Museum’s Presidential Counselors. The program begins at the 01:00 mark and lasts roughly 55 minutes.
Omer Bartov, PhD, “Anatomy of a Genocide”
Dr. Bartov came to present on his book which shows how one small town serves as a microcosm of how genocide took place throughout Eastern Europe. For more than four hundred years, the Eastern European border town of Buczacz—today part of Ukraine—was home to a highly diverse citizenry. It was here that Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews all lived side by side in relative harmony. Then came World War II, and three years later the entire Jewish population had been murdered by German and Ukrainian police, while Ukrainian nationalists eradicated Polish residents. In truth, though, this genocide didn’t happen so quickly. The program begins right at the start and runs roughly 75 minutes.
Paul Kix, “The Saboteur”
Up next is a first-time author, Paul Kix, who has written for many major publications, and tells an exciting and compelling story of a brave French aristocrat who took many risks by joining and then serving as one of the top saboteurs in the French Resistance, Robert de La Rochefoucald. Sit back and enjoy this story that seems like it could be perfectly made into a Hollywood film! The program begins at the 03:35 mark and runs roughly 60 minutes.
James Holland, “The Allies Strike Back”
James Holland, noted author and media personality, came to the Museum for an interview with our Senior Historian Rob Citino, PhD. Two of the most exciting, and excitable, historians engaged in a lively conversation about Holland’s second book in his “The War in the West” series, which discusses how the allies were able to bounce back from their early, and disastrous, setbacks against Nazi Germany. Buckle-up for some rapid-fire back-and-forth between these two remarkable men! The program begins at the 07:00 mark and lasts roughly 70 minutes.
You can purchase some of the books featured on this list at the link below. Your purchase helps support the educational mission of The National WWII Museum.
Jeremy Collins
Jeremy Collins joined The National WWII Museum in 2001 as an intern, and now oversees the institution’s public programming initiatives.
