Adult Programs New @ Southworth 

The Cold War, Spies & Espionage- Adult Monthly Reading & Discussion Series

Library Director 139 Views

The Southworth Library presents a new adult discussion series on The Cold War, spies, espionage and the world that was made. This monthly reading and film discussion series examines how the hidden world of espionage influenced the most crucial and climactic years of the Cold War and the impact on relationships in the current world order between East and West with the new Russia, China, the EU and the US. Using a series of texts that examine the political and cultural climate of the Cold War, the stories of the agents who influenced them and the current Cold Wars, our discussions will examine the past and the present world order. Our examinations will also include film excerpts. Dr. David Flaten, Professor of History at Tompkins Cortland Community College, will facilitate discussions each month based on readings and film excerpts.  Materials will be available at the library. Register here for one or all of the discussions to get the relevant books and materials. We will meet on the following Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm:

  • October 22 at 6:30 pm: An overview of The Cold War examining what led up to it, nuclear détente, the leaders involved and the spycraft of the day
    • Text-The Cold War: A New History by John Lewis Gaddis
    • Film excerpts fromTurning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War
  • November 19 at 6:30 pm: The making of a spy and a double-agent. Examining the world of spies and espionage through Kim Philby’s story
    • Text: A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben MacIntyre
    • Possible excerpts from new series on MGM+ and Amazon prime
    • Excerpt from BBC2 series Secrets & Spies
  • December 17 at 6:30 pm: Spies and double agents- the story of Oleg Gordievsky, the Russian whose secret work helped hasten the end of the Cold War.
    • Text: The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben MacIntyre
    • Film excerpt from BBC2 series Secrets & Spies
  • January 28 at 6:30 pm: The New Cold Wars -What have we learned and a look at how Russia, China and the United States are maneuvering the current world order
    • Text: New Cold Wars: China’s Rise, Russia’s Invasion, and America’s Struggle to Defend the West by David Sanger
    • Film excerpts from Turning Poing: THe Bomb and the Cold War

This program is made possible through support from Humanities New York grant and the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Humanities New York’s Adult Reading & Discussion programs are designed to foster active reading and thinking, incorporating texts that serve as catalysts for civic engagement, cultural understanding, and personal reflection. Visit humanitiesny.org to learn more.  This program is generously funded through a Humanities New York grant, The National Endowment for the Humanities and Southworth Library together: Democracy demands wisdom.  Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

 

All are invited to join in the conversation!  Register here,  call (607-844-4782) or email director@southworthlibrary.org.