2007-2008 History Series

History and Drama with Frost and Nixon: A Participant's Tale
James Reston, Jr.
September 27, 2007

James Reston’s recently released book, The Conviction of Richard Nixon: The Untold Story of the Frost/Nixon Interviews, provides the basis for his lecture, launching the 2007-2008 Salisbury House History Series. Reston was adviser to David Frost in preparation for the televised interview. His firsthand account of the memorable interview inspired the play “Frost/Nixon,” in which Reston was a major character. The production opened August 2006 in London, and in New York in May 2007. The movie will be released in the fall of 2008.

Highlights of Mr. Reston’s distinguished career include publication of 13 books, whose diverse topics are revealed in such titles as Galileo: A Life; Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors; Collision at Home Plate: The Lives of Pete Rose and Bart Giamatti; and Fragile Innocence: A Father’s Memoir of His Daughter’s Courageous Journey. Reston has also authored three plays and numerous articles for national magazines.

Reston is currently a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and has been a fellow at the American Academy in Rome and a scholar in residence at the Library of Congress. He was an assistant to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall (1964-65) and served in the U.S. Army (1965-68).

 

From Ancient Greece to Al Qaeda: A History of Poison
Robert Templer
November 14, 2007

Journalist and writer on Asian political issues, Robert Templer is the author of books on Viet Nam and corruption. His latest book, The History of Poison, provides the basis for his lecture and discussion. The book examines the human fear of poisonings and how those in power have exploited these fears, often causing more deaths than those caused by a handful of genuine poisoners. Templer notes that accusations of poisoning tended to be directed at outsiders, or those whose place in society was uncertain, such as religious minorities. His book looks at how poison in the 21st century has often become a question of environmental poisoning.

Templer is the Asia Program Director of the International Crisis Group, an international organization dedicated to conflict prevention and resolution. Templer's areas of expertise include Islamic extremism; terrorism and conflict in Asia; Afghan reconstruction issues, political developments in Myanmar/Burma; North Korea and nuclear proliferation.

Sponsored by Harry Bookey and Pamela Bass-Bookey.