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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Kate Larson talks about her book, “Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero,” which chronicles the life of one of the leaders of the Underground Railroad.  Harriet Tubman died 100 years ago on March 10, 1913.  This program took place at the Newberry Library in Chicago.

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Congressman John Lewis discusses his book, “Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change,” which draws on his experiences as a leader in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and as the Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 through 1966.

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Betty Friedan’s best-selling book, “The Feminine Mystique” was published 50 years ago, in February 1963.  Its examination of dissatisfaction felt by many middle-class American housewives led to a national conversation about women’s rights in America. In 1966 Betty Friedan was elected as the first president of the National Organization for Women; she died in 2006.  Stephanie Coontz, the author of “A Strange Stirring,” describes how Betty Friedan introduced the feminist movement to a generation of American women in the early 1960s.

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Military historian Barrett Tillman discusses the World War II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, also known as "Big E," which was involved in several battles including Midway, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.

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Historian Elizabeth Brown Pryor discusses her book, "Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee through His Private Letters."  Using previously unpublished letters, the author explores the life and intimate writings of the Confederate Civil War General.

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