READ: Berlin 1961

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September 28, 2011, 10:18 am

It's funny how seminal events in history fade. A 1961 checklist: a young and charismatic president was in his inaugural year; the Soviet Union was trying to clamp down an increasing stream of refugees fleeing occupation and oppression. The Berlin Wall was built. Seems so long ago. Can we apply the lessons of those dramatic years to our own turbulent early 21st century?

BERLIN 1961:KENNEDY, KHRUSHCHEV, AND THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE ON EARTH

Fred Kempe, Atlantic Council President and former Wall Street Journal editor-journalist offers a new look at one of the epic dramas of the Cold War— Berlin in 1961—and its lessons for today in a talk Thursday, 09/29/2011 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

University Club of Portland
1225 SW 6th Avenue

Win a copy of BERLIN 1961. Email your name and address HERE.

There's no doubt Frederick Kempe's investigation into a moment in history is a fresh, brilliant and yes, often controversial look at the mousetrap that was the Berlin Wall, the possibly worst first year of any modern American president, the relentlessly authoritarian Soviet Union possibly seeking reform.

Sounds familiar here in 2011. In fact, Kempe says 2011 is as important as 1961. And he draws parallels between Kennedy and President Barack Obama. Both presidents being plunged into already swirling world events. Perhaps lacking immediate experience, and scrambling to become "presidential". LISTEN TO CONVERSATION BELOW.