On Freedom book launch
From September 17, NY, DC, CT
Dear Friends,
I send this dispatch to you just as I leave Ukraine, where I have spent the last ten days.
I will be soon coming from Kyiv to New York, DC, and New Haven to launch my book On Freedom, which is released on September 17th, so this coming Tuesday. It's something I worked on for the last five years: an attempt to define freedom as an idea, and then to work it into the right sort of politics
In some ways this journey from Ukraine to New York, is very fitting, since much of the book was written in wartime Ukraine, and my idea of freedom has been influenced by what I have heard from people here. You will see that in the preface and in the conclusion and throughout the book.
Since I am about to launch the book, I wanted to give all of you an idea of the five events planned for about that time. I have done some public discussion of the book in Ukraine, but for various reasons was unable to announce those gatherings ahead of time.
So here are the first official, public events:
1. New York, Tuesday September 17th, 6:30PM (launch day)
A conversation with my colleague Professor David Blight and q&a about On Freedom. Books to be sold and signed. New York Historical Society, 6:30pm, 170 Central Park West.
2. Washington, DC, Wednesday, September 18th, 7:00PM
A conversation with Representative Jamie Raskin about On Freedom, followed by q&a and a booksigning. This is hosted by the famous bookseller Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW, DC. This is a free event: link is here.
3. Washington, DC, Thursday, September 19th, 1:00pm
A conversation with Gal Beckerman as part of The Atlantic Festival, hosted by Politics & Prose at the Wharf, 610 Water St SW, DC.
4. Virtual Event, Friday, September 20th, 7:00pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
A conversation with Doug Stanton about On Freedom as part of the National Writers Series. This is a ticketed virtual event. Please see here for details.
5. New Haven, CT, Monday, September 23, 4:00pm
A conversation with my colleague Professor Jim Levinsohn at 4:00pm at the Yale University Library Lecture Hall, 130 Wall St., New Haven CT. Books to be sold and signed.
I will pick up again in the Midwest on October 17th, with the most intense part of the American book tour. For details of the Ohio October (also featuring Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas) please consult the earlier post. Or check here for a complete and up-to-date list of all events.
I am very happy to be able to discuss the book, and look forward to seeing people. Please share this post with anyone who might be interested in joining!
No stopover in the UK to launch the book, sadly! But I have pre-ordered it. I have just been watching a little video clip of you speaking to the crowd before the run in Kyiv this morning, Professor. I don't know what you said, except I think I picked up a word which should mean "solidarity". The word means something when you say it - I hope the same is true when it is uttered by Presidents and Prime Ministers.
I just got notice that my pre-order is on its way! I am very much looking forward to this book.
I will be returning to Ukraine soon, for my third visit this year, volunteering and providing trauma support. I am endlessly impressed by how everyday Ukrainians I get to talk with understand democratic values, and the need to put action behind the ideas. I learn so much, and find so much inspiration with each conversation there.