[applause] good evening and welcome to the New York Historical society but im the New York Historical president and ceo and thrilled to see all of you this evening in our beautiful Robert H Smith auditorium. Tonights Program Gives me liberty, history of americas exceptional idea is a part of our Bernard Schwartz established Speaker Series and as always i k like to thank mr. Schwartz or his great generosity which is enabled us to bring so many fine speakers to this stage and i also want to thank all of our Chairman Council members who are in attendance as evening and to thankk you for your great suppot which enables us to do our work. Tonights program will last about one hour and it will include a question answer session but you should have received a note card and pencil as you entered the auditorium and this afternoon or this evening and it is not my colleagues going up and down the aisle with note cards and pencils in the note card will be collected later on in the program with your
Historical president and ceo and until to see you in our beautiful auditorium. Tonight program give me liberty is a part of our swartz distinguished Speakers Series and as always i like to thank mr. Schwartz for its great generosity which has enabled us to bring so many fine speakers to this stage. I also want to thank all of our chairman scouts of members or in attendance, and to thank you for yourhe great support which enabs us to do our work. Tonight program last about an hour and it will include a questionandanswer session. You shouldve received a note card and pencil as you entered the auditorium this afternoon, this evening, and if not, my colleagues are going up and down the isles with no cards and pencils the note cards will be collected later on withh your questions. Following the program that would be a book signing in our history store and copies of our speakers books will be available for purchase. Ey tonight we are thrilled to welcome Richard Brookhiser back to the New Yor
You are to ask why writing about liberty at this point but i want to get to a short piece of the book. You write the need for telling the story now is what i see around me this is the most confused historical time i have lived in with a haggard establishment, and Americas National ebola what else are you saying here . Guest i am just trying to direct our attention away, for a moment, from the political mania 363 has surrounded us for days this year so far and counting. We have two more to go. Wednesday we start all over again. I want to dig a break from that id have us look at 400 flash want to take a break from that and have us look at 400 years with the engagement of the idea of liberty. My argument is that is the essence of america, our nationalism. It is the exceptional american ideal. It is something americans have been talking about, writing about, fighting for 44 centuries. For book takes fighting four four centuries. All lay down principles that affect us and liberate us today,
I have lived in. How Americas National essences being ignored, trampled or distorted. What else are you saying here. To direct ourying fromtion away from moment the political mania that has surrounded us for 363 days so far this year and weve got two more to go. Oversday we start all again. I just want to take a break from that and have us look at 400 years of our engagement with the idea of liberty. My argument is that is the ourmate of america, of nationalism. Its the exceptional american idea. It is something that americans have been talking about, writing about, fighting for for for centuries. Four centuries. Some of them are famous. Some of them every one of you has read. Allrs are obscure but they laid down principles that affect us waiting to liberate us today. I want us to be proud of that. I must to think about it. I want us to be inspired. Host we will take your calls in just a couple of minutes. Republicans can call 2027488001. Democrats 2027488000. Ndependents 2027488002 yo
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the New York Historical society. Im louis mirrer, the im thrilled to see you this evening in our beautiful robert h. Smith odd terrorism tonight. s prom give me liberty a history of americas exceptional used i part of the distinguished Speaker Series and as always id like to thank mr. Swartz for his great generosity which has enabled to us bring so many fine speakers to the stage. I also want to thank all of your Chairmans Council members in attendance this evening and to thank you for your great support i tonights program will last an hour and it will include a question and answer session. You should have received a note card and pencil as you entered the auditorium this afternoon, this evening, and if not, my colleagues will go up and down the aisles with note cards and pencils. The note cards will be clerked later on in the program with you questions. Following the program there will be a book signing in the ny history store and copies of the b