Modern War, African American Autobiography Topics For Fall 2004

New York, NY, August 9, 2004 -- The New York Public Library is offering two reading and discussion series for Fall 2004 at the Seward Park and Harlem Libraries.  The book discussions are part of a program sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities called "Reading Between the Lines" which promotes informed discussion of humanties themes surrounding American history and culture.  Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.  Members of the group will read one book for each session and will meet monthly for 90 minute discussions.  The library will lend participants a copy of the book that is scheduled for the next meeting. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions having read a substantial portion of the material in order to contribute to the discussion.

The first series, "American Writing on Modern War," is held at the Seward Park Library at 192 East Broadway and focuses on what it means to experience war politically,economically and morally.  The discussions begin September 20 at 6 p.m. with the classic Joseph Heller novel, Catch 22.   The group will meet once a month on Mondays at Seward Park to discuss other works including If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien, Jarhead by Anthony Swofford, and War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges.  The group is led by Ryan Swihart of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

The second group, meeting at the Harlem Library at 9 West 124th Street, is entitled "African American Autobiography" and explores American history from the perspectives of those fighting their way from slavery to freedom.  The first discussion is September 21 at 6 p.m. about Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself, a narrative by Harriet Jacobs.  Other books that will be explored throughout the Fall include Treat It Gentle by Sydney Bechet, Coming of Age in Mississippi by Ann Moody, and Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall.  The group is led by Jennifer Griffith of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

To register contact the Harlem Branch at (212) 348-5620, or the Seward Park Branch at (212) 477-6771.

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Contact: Adrienne Poland, 212-704-8600.