World War II

07 13, 2017

MPL Talks: Franklin Delano Roosevelt & WWII

By |2017-07-13T06:00:42-04:00July 13, 2017|

Our Major Leaders of World War II series continued with a program about Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the longest-serving president in the country’s history.

Our speaker, John Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed:

• how his Roosevelt’s father’s illness contributed to his personality
• why someone tried to assassinate Roosevelt shortly after he was elected president
• his troubled marriage with Eleanor Roosevelt
• how he interacted with other world leaders like Churchill and Stalin
• the two biggest mistakes he made while in office.

If you enjoy history, the next talk in our WWII series will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, at our Main Branch. The subject will be Joseph Stalin.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

04 13, 2017

MPL Talks: Life after World War II

By |2017-04-13T06:00:30-04:00April 13, 2017|


It’s always momentous when Bob Zonneville comes to Mentor Public Library.

Zonneville is a World War II veteran who received a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

He—along with local historian Thom Matowitz, who literally wrote the book on Mentor—hosted a special program where they discussed what life was like for veterans when they returned from World War II.

(Please accept our apologies, in advance, if you can’t hear the audience questions. Next time we’ll have to pass around a microphone.)

If you love WWII history, you’ll want to catch our new Major Leaders of World War II series.

The first talk is 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at our Main Branch. The topic will be the life of Hitler. (It will be his birthday, after all.)

The program is free and open to everyone. However, we do ask that you register beforehand. You can sign up online or call us at (440) 255-8811 ext. 216.

For more World War II talks on our YouTube page:

04 3, 2017

MPL Talks: Nazism in Power

By |2017-04-03T06:00:01-04:00April 3, 2017|


If Dr. John Foster’s talk on the rise of National Socialism in Germany intrigued you, its sequel will fascinate you.

Recently, Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed the Nazi Party in power both before and during World War II.

We now share it here, so you may enjoy it—even if you missed the talk initially.

During the program, Foster examines:

  • how National Socialism’s particular brand of anti-Semitism was especially malevolent. (Not that any form of bigotry is admirable.)
  • how Adolf Hitler’s Germany gradually dehumanized and then exterminated certain sub-populations of humans.
  • how the Nazi Party wasn’t organized—and we use that word loosely—as most people expect or assume.
  • the inherent danger in deciding a group of people “isn’t one of us.”

If you love WWII history and enjoy Foster’s talks, you’ll want to catch his new Major Leaders of World War II series.

The first talk is 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at our Main Branch. The topic will be the life of Hitler. (It will be his birthday, after all.)

The program is free and open to everyone. However, we do ask that you register beforehand. You can sign up online or call us at (440) 255-8811 ext. 216.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

02 10, 2017

MPL Talks: The Rise of National Socialism in Germany

By |2017-02-10T06:00:21-05:00February 10, 2017|

We host a lot of programs at Mentor Public Library and it’s hard to catch them all.

And sometimes you miss one you really wanted to see.

That’s why we’ve started MPL Talks, where we post full programs online for you to watch at your convenience. It’s not quite the same as being there. (For example, you don’t get to ask questions.) But it’s better than missing out.

Recently, our own Dr. John Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed the Rise of National Socialism in Germany as part of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Foster examined:

  • Adolf Hitler’s rise to popularity and power
  • how the instability and failure of the Weimar Republic created fertile ground for National Socialism
  • the pseudo-scientists who encouraged Germany’s anti-Semitism
  • what a terrible book Mein Kampf  is.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

01 10, 2017

MPL Talks: The Fall of Berlin

By |2017-01-10T06:00:12-05:00January 10, 2017|

We host a lot of programs at Mentor Public Library and it’s hard to catch them all.

And sometimes you miss one you really wanted to see.

That’s why we’ve started MPL Talks, where we post full programs online for you to watch at your convenience. It’s not quite the same as being there. (For example, you don’t get to ask questions.) But it’s better than missing out.

Recently, our own Dr. John Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed the Fall of Berlin as part of our Major Battles of World War II series.

Foster examined:

  • the rivalry between Russian Generals Ivan Konev and Georgy Zhukov
  • Stalin’s ambitions for a post-war Germany and his attempts to manipulate his Western allies
  • the differences in Stalin’s and Hitler’s military expertise
  • the final days of Hitler and the Third Reich
  • the difference between Berlin in 1945 and now.

As part of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Foster will discuss the rise of National Socialism in Germany at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at our Main Branch. The talk is free and open to everyone. You can register to attend on our website.

Previous WWII talks at Mentor Public Library can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

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