Cal Humanities

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more when it is in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

Recap of Karl Marlantes’ Author Conversation Tour in Southern California

As part of our War Comes Home: California Reads program, Karl Marlantes, Vietnam veteran, Rhodes Scholar, and New York Times bestselling author of What It Is Like To Go To War toured Southern California in November. Marlantes spoke to audiences about his experiences during and after war, how he came to write the book, and why veteran reintegration is an important issue for us all.

Each program – structured as a conversation between Marlantes and Mary Menzel, Director of the California Center for the Book — was followed by a half-hour Q &A and dialogue session with the audience and a book signing.  Over 1000 people came out for the six events held in Los Angeles (UCLA), Simi Valley (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library), Bakersfield (Beale Library), Santa Ana (Bowers Museum), Riverside (Municipal Auditorium & Soldiers Memorial), and Oceanside (Mira Costa College).  Audiences were diverse, including veterans of current and past conflicts, healthcare and social service providers, university faculty and students, over 400 high school students from Ventura County attended the Reagan Library program.  Karl also reached additional audiences through television, radio, and press interviews before and after the events.

If you missed the programs, but would like to view a recording, click HERE.

Cal Humanities thanks Karl, Mary, our participating public libraries and community partners, and ourfunders and sponsors for making these programs possible.

 

Top right to bottom right, – Karl Marlantes with students at a piece of the Berlin wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Karl Marlantes at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and Karl Marlantes in conversation at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium & Soldier’s Memorial. 

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