When the Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787, the battle over the Constitution had just begun. Federalists (supporters of the Constitution) and Antifederalists (opponents) clashed in each of the original thirteen states. Professor Denver Brunsman of George Washington University will describe the battle of ideas and tactics that surrounded the process to ratify the Constitution. This is a story that every American should know because it not only settled the Constitution but also introduced patterns of political debate—local vs. national, urban vs. rural, elite vs. commoner—that persist to this day.

When the Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787, the battle over the Constitution had just begun. Federalists (supporters of the Constitution) and Antifederalists (opponents) clashed in each of the original thirteen states. Professor Denver Brunsman of George Washington University will describe the battle of ideas and tactics that surrounded the process to ratify the Constitution. This is a story that every American should know because it not only settled the Constitution but also introduced patterns of political debate—local vs. national, urban vs. rural, elite vs. commoner—that persist to this day.

In June, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision declaring race-based affirmative action to be a violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Mr. McCarthy will review how the practice evolved historically in response to court rulings over the decades, and how institutions of higher education may respond to the court's latest ruling.  

The Vanderbilts. The Rockefellers. The Carnegies. The Pinchots?  In America's Gilded Age, successful families forged self-made and powerful aristocracies, but history slighted a wealthy, influential family dynasty: the Pinchots. Outstandingly different from these and other business titans, this family is long overdue for recognition. The Pinchot family members propounded a set of values in serving the public good that went beyond economic success, and they championed many political and social reforms. Derived from his recent book, The Pinchots: A Family Saga, David will talk about three generations of this extraordinary family. Gifford Pinchot, America’s first professionally trained forester and a founder of the nation’s environmental movement, is the star, but his parents James and Mary, his brother Amos, a gifted writer and peace activist, and their sister Nettie, a humanitarian, and the tragedies of Amos’s three beautiful daughters, Rosamond, Mary (JFK's favorite lover), and Tony, also receive attention.

It is well-known that Adolf Hitler disliked modern art, which he decried in his inauguration of the House of German Art in 1937 as "these smearings of canvas . . . really the outcome of an impudent and unashamed arrogance." In this talk, we will take up one case, the famous “smearer” Max Beckmann, who sought refuge in Holland, where he continued to paint in defiance of Nazi warnings even after the Germans occupied the country in 1940.

Drawing from his book "Dinner With the President," Alex Prud'homme will discuss American and presidential history as seen through a gastronomic lens. He'll start with an Introduction (how he became interested in the food of politics and the politics of food), then discuss three presidential meals and why they were important, and conclude with an audience Q+A.

This is a work of non-fiction with fictional elements. In the mood to immerse yourself in Savannah, Georgia, circa the 1980s?  This book, a New York Times best-seller for 216 weeks, will take you there.  It recounts the events surrounding and following the death of an antiques shop employee with far less savory side hustles at the hand of his employer, the shop owner.  The photograph of the cemetery statue on the cover became such a popular tourist stop the statue had to be moved to a local museum.  Please read the book so you can participate in our structured, facilitated, Zoom discussion.  (Note: Please join the meeting at 3 pm if you would like some assistance using the features of Zoom.  Otherwise, join us at 3:15 pm for the start of our discussion.) Author: John Berendt, 1994 (For other book discussions, see #514, 563, 597)