World War II

01 27, 2019

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: The Infamous Auschwitz

By |2019-01-27T06:00:14-05:00January 27, 2019|

Each year, our resident historian Dr. John Foster hosts a special program for International Holocaust Day.

In past years, he’s discussed the Nuremberg Trials, rise of National Socialism in Germanyand origins of the Nazi’s Final Solution.

This year, his topic was Auschwitz, the most notorious of Nazi Germany’s death camps. He discussed its grisly purpose, some of its most famous survivors, and the overwhelming evidence that it served as a death camp.

By the way, each year Foster gives a series of lectures about American history. His previous topics include the Battles of World War II and US Presidents of the 20th Century. This year, he’ll discuss the American Revolution.

The series begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at our Main Branch. The topic is the origins of the Revolution.

Finally, if you’re interested, most of Foster’s previous historical talks can be viewed in their entirety on our YouTube channel.

11 4, 2018

Dwight D. Eisenhower: From World War to the Cold War

By |2018-11-04T06:00:30-05:00November 4, 2018|

We concluded our Presidents of the 20th Century series with a focus on Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Eisenhower was a complicated man — a West Point graduate and general who warned about the military-industrial complex; a man who valued duty but also asked to leave his post so he could marry his mistress.

He also oversaw one of our nation’s most fraught periods, including a chilly portion of the Cold War, McCarthyism, and invention of the hydrogen bomb.

Apparently, he was a pretty decent golfer, as well.

Our resident historian Dr. John Foster guides us through this singular president’s life. Foster, in addition to being a reference librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history.

If you missed it the first time or wish to rewatch it, you can view the entirety of our Presidents of the 20th Century series online:

Foster’s next talk will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Concord Township Community Center (7671 Auburn Road in Concord Township.) He’ll discuss the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton.

The talk is free to attend and open to all. If you wish to register, call the Concord Township Community Center at (440) 639-4650.

01 22, 2018

MPL Talks: The Nuremberg Trials

By |2018-01-22T06:00:48-05:00January 22, 2018|

We hosted a special program about the Nuremberg Trials for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

After World War II, surviving Nazi officials faced trial for their crimes. Those trials and their outcomes still impact global politics today.

The speaker was our own Dr. John Foster. In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster earned a doctorate degree in history with a specialization in Modern German History. For previous International Holocaust Remembrance Days, he discussed the life of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and the rise of National Socialism in Germany.

Foster’s talk is available online in its entirety for those who were not able to join us last week.

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

10 25, 2017

MPL Talks: Winston Churchill & the Battle of Britain

By |2017-10-25T06:00:33-04:00October 25, 2017|

Our Major Leaders of World War II series concludes with a closer look at Winston Churchill.

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

  • Churchill’s acumen as a leader, speaker, soldier, writer, war correspondent, and drinker.
  • Churchill’s relationship with Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Stalin.

For those who want a deeper dive into Churchill’s life, Foster recommends the William Manchester biographies.

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

08 29, 2017

MPL Talks: The Life of Josef Stalin

By |2017-08-29T06:00:26-04:00August 29, 2017|

Our Major Leaders of World War II series continued with a program about Josef Stalin, our ally during the war and greatest threat afterward.

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

  • Stalin’s rise through the ranks of his party
  • his misdeeds, from armed robbery to mass murder
  • the difference between Stalinism, Leninism, and Marxism
  • how Stalin would “erase” his opponents from history

For those who want a deeper dive into Stalin’s life, Foster recommends Stephen Kotkin’s, Stalin Vol. I: Paradoxes of Power.

If you enjoy history, the next talk in our WWII series will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at our Main Branch. The subject will be Winston Churchill.

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

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