We look at the history of prayer in American public schools since 1963. Also: new perspectives on the lives of two legends - Marco Polo and Machiavelli. It turns out that Machiavelli may not have been as cold-hearted as history books would have us believe! Plus, Iranian-American novelist Porochista Khakpour.
A major Supreme Court decision in 1963 continues to shape the debate over school prayer and religious freedom in the US. Ellery Schempp was the student who sparked the case when he protested the prayers said every day at his public school; Stephen Solomon’s new book, Ellery’s Protest, analyzes the Supreme Court decision.
Weigh in: Do you think prayer has a place in public schools?
Ellery’s Protest is available for purchase at amazon.com
Niccolo Machiavelli may not have been the cold-hearted, power-hungry man the history books would have us believe. Biographer Ross King shows a different side of the man in his new book, Machiavelli.
Event: Ross King will be speaking
Monday, November 12 at 8 pm
92nd Street Y
Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street
To purchase tickets, go here.
Machiavelli is available for purchase at amazon.com
Porochista Khakpour’s debut novel, Sons and Other Flammable Objects, chronicles the life of an Iranian-American family in California who suddenly must deal with changing political currents immediately after 9/11.
Event: Porochista Khakpour will be speaking with Dalia Sofer, Marsha Mehran, and Nahid Rachlin
Monday, November 19 at 7 pm
Half King
505 West 23rd Street (at 10th Avenue)
Sons and Other Flammable Objects is available for purchase at amazon.com
More about Porochista Khakpour
The 13th century adventurer and travel writer Marco Polo ended his days in Venice as a greedy and litigious merchant. Find out more about the remarkable life of the man – beyond the classic kids’ water game – with Laurence Bergreen, author of the new biography Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu.
Event: Laurence Bergreen will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, November 15 at 7 pm
Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble
1972 Broadway (at 66th Street)
Marco Polo is available for purchase at amazon.com
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