War and Society Roundtable Series to Focus on Villains and Scapegoats in History
Mon, 09/08/2014 - 09:15am | By: Ashlea Maddox
The Dale Center for the Study of War and Society at The University of Southern Miss will host the first roundtable discussion of the fall semester on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. Held each month at the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County, the event is open to the public.
The War and Society Roundtable, a joint community and university monthly reading group, has been in existence since 2006. Sponsored jointly by the Dale Center and the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal, and Forrest County, the Roundtable focuses on a different war and society book each month of the academic year. It provides community members, faculty and students an opportunity to interact while exploring topics of mutual interest.
A history faculty member from Southern Miss moderates a friendly, but spirited discussion about the book. Copies of each month's book—generously provided by the Friends of the Hattiesburg Library—are available for loan at the Hattiesburg Public Library well in advance of each meeting.
The first book to be discussed is, “Custer Victorious: The Civil Battles of George Armstrong Custer” by Gregory J.W. Urwin. The book describes Civil War engagements that George Armstrong Custer and his troops survived, and looks beyond the legendary defeat of Custer's Last Stand in order to reveal a detailed account.
On Oct. 14 at 6 p.m., the Roundtable will feature “Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold's March to Quebec, 1775” by Thomas A. Desjardin. Before Benedict Arnold was branded a traitor, he led 1,100 soldiers on a secret mission to seize British Quebec. Despite various hardships, the troops almost took Canada and ultimately weakened the British hand against George Washington.
The final book discussion of the series is “Amazons of the Huk Rebellion: Gender, Sex, and Revolution in the Philippines” by Vina A. Lanzona and will be held Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. Women played a central role in the Huk rebellion, serving in various important military roles various military roles alongside their male comrades-in-arms. Additionally, in the midst of the uncertainty and violence, these women pursued personal lives.
On Dec. 9 at 6 p.m., the War and Society Roundtable will host a holiday social where guests will munch, mingle and mull over which book was the best and which was the worst.
For more information about the War and Society Roundtable series, contact the Department of History by calling 601.266.4333 or visit www.usm.edu/history.