Last Rites

John Lukacs talked about his book Last Rites (Yale University Press; February 24, 2009). Historian John Lukacs called the book an “auto-history,” a developing history of his thoughts and beliefs. The book covers the 20 years since his 1989 auto-history written at the time of his retirement at age 65. At that time he started a more extensive writing life and since the fall of the Soviet Union was able to visit his homeland of Hungary for the first time. He talked about the changes in his life and presented his thoughts on the practice of being a historian. He commented on the decline of reading and the unwillingness of people to think. Other topics included the idea of progress, Catholicism, and education. He responded to questions from members of the audience at the St. Joseph University Boathouse in Philadelphia.

John Lukacs is the author of over twenty books, including Five Days in London, May 1940 and George Kennan: A Study of Character. Mr. Lukacs is a member of the Royal close