John Foster

07 9, 2018

Woodrow Wilson: The Rise of American Internationalism

By admin|2018-07-09T06:00:01-04:00July 9, 2018|

Our resident historian Dr. John Foster continued his US Presidents of the 20th Century series last month with Woodrow Wilson.

We’ve filmed and shared his talk for those who couldn’t join us that night.

Nowadays, Wilson his best known for his failed attempt to launch the League of Nations after World War I. However, his platform and policies still affect both US and global politics. For example, it was his administration that pushed for the 19th Amendment, finally giving women the right to vote in this country.

So find out how Wilson went from failed lawyer to president of Princeton to president of the United States. (As a bonus, you can learn Taft’s favorite meal.)

Our series continues at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, with a focus on Harry S. Truman. The talk is free to attend and open to all.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, as well, including:

05 6, 2018

MPL Talks: The Easter Rising of 1916

By admin|2018-05-06T06:00:56-04:00May 6, 2018|

We have a treat for those who enjoy the work of our resident historian John Foster.

Foster recently discussed the Easter Rising of 1916 during a special program at Concord Township Community Center. We filmed and are sharing the talk for those who could not attend.

The Easter Rising (also known as the Easter Rebellion) began when a small group of Irish republicans tried to wrest independence from the United Kingdom in the midst of World War I.

Foster explains what transpired during the Easter Rising and how its failure (and its leaders’ executions) launched a series of Irish uprisings.

For those who want to learn more, Foster recommends 1916: One Hundred Years of Irish Independence by Tim Pat Coogan.

Additionally, Foster — who, in addition to being a reference librarian, has a doctorate degree in European history — began his US Presidents of the 20th Century series in April. He started with a lecture on the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt.

His series continues at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, with a focus on Woodrow Wilson. The talk is free to attend and open to all.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

04 25, 2018

Theodore Roosevelt: Making the Modern American President

By admin|2018-04-25T06:00:25-04:00April 25, 2018|

Our resident historian Dr. John Foster started his US Presidents of the 20th Century series last week with Theodore Roosevelt.

We’ve filmed and shared his talk for those who couldn’t join us that night.

Learn how Roosevelt’s morals affected his approach to war, conservation and philanthropy. Also, discover how Roosevelt’s innovations helped create the modern presidency.

If you enjoy Foster’s talk and want to learn more about Roosevelt, Foster recommends Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands by Roger DiSilvestro.

Our series continues at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, with a focus on Woodrow Wilson. The talk is free to attend and open to all.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

01 22, 2018

MPL Talks: The Nuremberg Trials

By admin|2018-01-22T06:00:48-05:00January 22, 2018|

We hosted a special program about the Nuremberg Trials for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

After World War II, surviving Nazi officials faced trial for their crimes. Those trials and their outcomes still impact global politics today.

The speaker was our own Dr. John Foster. In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster earned a doctorate degree in history with a specialization in Modern German History. For previous International Holocaust Remembrance Days, he discussed the life of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and the rise of National Socialism in Germany.

Foster’s talk is available online in its entirety for those who were not able to join us last week.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

10 25, 2017

MPL Talks: Winston Churchill & the Battle of Britain

By admin|2017-10-25T06:00:33-04:00October 25, 2017|

Our Major Leaders of World War II series concludes with a closer look at Winston Churchill.

Our speaker, John Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, also has a doctorate degree in history—discussed:

Churchill’s acumen as a leader, speaker, soldier, writer, war correspondent, and drinker.
Churchill’s relationship with Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Stalin.

For those who want a deeper dive into Churchill’s life, Foster recommends the William Manchester biographies.

Other historical talks by Foster can be watched on our YouTube page, including:

John Foster

Title

ABOUT MPL

CONNECT