New York Times bestseller Jay Winik to visit McConnell Center
Jay Winik
Leading historian and top-ranked New York Times bestselling author Jay Winik, PhD, will speak as a guest of the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center April 4 about one of the most monumental years of the 20th century.
Winik’s free, public talk on “1944: FDR, Statesmanship and the Year that Changed America” will begin at 6 p.m. at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium’s PNC Club, with a reception and book signing to follow. Copies of Winik's books will be available for purchase at a discounted price at the event.
The year 1944 witnessed the accelerated murder of millions of European Jews, the unprecedented D-Day invasion and the planning of Operation Overlord, the liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge, as well as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s re-election and efforts to keep secret his rapidly declining health.
Winik will draw from his instant bestselling book to describe the titantic events of 1944: Was winning the war the best way to rescue the Jews? Was a rescue even possible? Faced with mounting political, military and personal health obstacles, could FDR win the war?
Read by several U.S. presidents and world leaders, Winik is renowned for his storytelling. He is the author of New York Times bestseller “April 1865,” which became an award-winning documentary on the History Channel, watched by 50 million viewers.
Seating is open and no registration is required.
This event will also celebrate and recognize Kentucky social studies teachers and the McConnell Center's Civic Education Program. All Kentucky social studies teachers are encouraged to register online for the event to receive a free copy of Winik's book.
The McConnell Center is hosting the event as part of its 25th anniversary “Citizens and Statesmen” public lecture series. Established in 1991, the non-partisan McConnell Center prepares Kentucky’s top undergraduates to become future leaders; offers civic education programs for teachers, students and the public; and conducts strategic leadership development for the U.S. Army.
For more information, contact GlyptusAnn Grider Jones, McConnell Center public relations and recruitment coordinator, at 502-852-1473, or visit McConnellCenter.org.