Good evening everyone and welcome to i am interviewing Eva Moskowitz tonights program is a part of our Bernard Irene swarts Speakers Series and i would like to sake i like to thank mr. Swarts for his leadership which is enabled us bring 70 prominent speakers to the stage. I would also like to mention that our chairman emeritus had hoped to be with us this evening , but unfortunately his travel schedule conflicted with the programming. Im delighted to say that susan who has advised us at our history films is here and i would like to thank her and welcome her for all she has done on behalf of New York Historical. [applause]. Tonights program will last about an hour and will include a question and answer question session. Questions should be written on no cards. If you did not receive a no card my colleagues are still going up and down the aisle so good in no card from them. The questions will be collected later on in the program there will be a book signing this evening that will take ou
[applause] the National Book awards are a huge part of that mission, and it is a thrill to be here with everyone tonight recognizing exceptional literature and increasing the visibility of books which are among the most powerful weapons we have against what has lately felt like an often hostile world. I think this past year has felt overwhelming and disheartening to many people. Its also felt exhausting for women, for people of color, for immigrants, for muslims, for the lgbtq community, for so many groups. To remain on the defensive in nearly every waking hour takes its toll. For some of us, books provide a welcome escape into someone elses world. For others they serve as a valuable resource for arming ourselves with indispensabling knowledge of history. But all books offer something we need so desperately right now; broadened perspective. Books allow us to view circumstances through the eyes of someone else. They cultivate empathy. They inspire action. They make us feel less alone an
Everyone to the 68 National Book award. [applause] like most people here tonight i have always been an avid reader and i come from a family of avid readers and i have birthed at least one avid reader, the jury is still out on the younger ones. As an only child and the daughter of two only children it wasnt uncommon in our house to find everyone in separate corners, each of us buried in a book. Huge nerds, you might have called us. Its a privilege to be in his room full of huge nerds. I feel right at home. My mothers father was a rare book dealer in chicago so the nerd gene goes back even farther in my family. One year there was a terrible fire and my grandfather store and the fire itself didnt reach the volume the fire hoses did. Water, water, everywhere. His whole inventory ruins and my grandfather felt he had no choice but to close up shop. My grandparents packed up and moved to the ozarks in the heart of missouri where my grandmother was from and they both were effectively retired a
And his family was facing serious financial problems. At this point in his life, he was a man trying the take care of his family. And we get to tell a story here that most people dont know about. Welcome to Saratoga Springs on booktv. Located about four hours north of new york city, it has a population of about 27,000. Named for the numerous springs in the area, early settlers flocked here to experience the therapeutic effects of the natural mineral waters. Today Saratoga Springs is a popular Tourist Destination with its spas, revolutionary war history and horse racing. With the help of our spectrum cable partners, for the next 90 minutes well learn about the citys history and feature its Literary History including Andrew Mckenna on his battle with opioid addiction. Growing up, i thought the person who was addicted to heroin was under a bridge somewhere with, right . And was pushing a shopping cart around or Something Like that. Thats not the case. One of the most abused drugs right no
When grant arrived at the ill,ook, here he is very only a few days left before he passes away. Seeing this great beauty, this valley that once saw conflict and warfare, and where the nation was born was now a Peaceful Valley where farmers worked. He mustve taken some satisfaction in that he was a part of the Great American story. Mount mcgregor in upstate new york, a few miles north of saratoga springs. Of thisificance Historic Site is this was the final home of civil war general and president ulysses s grant. This was the place where Ulysses Grant did his memoirs in 1885. He was dying of throat cancer. His family was facing serious financial problems. At this point in his life he was a man trying to take care of his family. We get to tell her story here that most people do not know about. After his second term as andident, ulysses s. Grant his wife julia went on a world tour for two years from 18771879. He met many world leaders, he was well respected around the world. Tour for twowhe