Jonathan Hansen presents a history of America's presence at Guantanamo Bay.  The author reports on the United States' early interest in the area, which was central to U.S. plans to control the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.  Mr. Hansen examines the creation of the U.S. naval base and prison at Guantanamo and its continued use despite calls for its closure.

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Saul Cornell discusses his book "A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America."  He explores the opposing sides of the gun control debate, arguing that both base their opinions on a flawed understanding of the second amendment.

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Matthew Wasniewski, U.S. House of Representatives Historian, talks about the book he edited, “Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007.”  It examines the role African Americans played in Congress after Reconstruction and during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.  The book includes comprehensive biographies of members including Joseph Rainey, Oscar De Priest, Adam Clayton Powell, and Shirley Chisholm.  This program was recorded in the Rayburn House Office Building.

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On April 20th, 1999 – Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 of their fellow Columbine High School students and one teacher and then committed suicide.  On History Bookshelf Dave Cullen discusses his book “Columbine”, which presents a comprehensive account of the shootings at the Colorado school.  He talks about the psychology of the shooters, how they evolved into killers, and the stories of the victims and survivors.  This program was recorded at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

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Jane Ziegelman discusses her book, “97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement” which recounts how the culinary heritages of Jewish, Irish, German, and Italian immigrants diversified New York City’s cultural landscape and changed the way Americans eat.

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America's third president and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence - Thomas Jefferson - was born 270 years ago on April 13th, 1743.  In this program recorded in 2005, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens discusses the public and private life of Jefferson detailed in his book, “Thomas Jefferson: Author of America.”  Christopher Hitchens died in 2011.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.  In this program, a friend of King’s, William Pepper, talks about his book, “An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King.”  Mr. Pepper argues that James Earl Ray, the man convicted of the assassination, was framed - and that the conspirators have not been brought to justice.

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On this History Bookshelf Sara Fitzgerald discusses her book, “Elly Peterson: 'Mother' of the Moderates” which recalls the career of the Michigan Republican Party assistant chairwoman.  Ms. Peterson, who died in 2008, supported the Equal Rights Amendment, was a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus and worked to block Phyllis Schlafly from becoming president of the National Federation of Republican Women.  The Michigan Political History Society hosted this event, held at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

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Phyllis Schlafly and Suzanne Venker discuss their book, “The Flipside of Feminism: What Conservative Women Know – and Men Can’t Say.”  They argue that feminist politics have not advanced women’s rights and that men have been miscast as obstacles in the path to equality for women.  The Heritage Foundation hosted this event.

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Jack Goldsmith talks about his book “Power and Constraint: The Accountable Presidency after 9/11” which examines presidential power and congressional oversight of counterterrorism policy since the September 2001 terrorist attacks.  The Harvard Book Store hosted this event.

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