Press Release: October 5, 2010

National Archives at Kansas City

Author Richard Lawrence Miller to discuss “Abe, Barack and Us: How Far We’ve Come, How Far to Go” at the National Archives

For More Information Contact:
Kimberlee Ried, 816-268-8072

Kansas City, (MO)…The National Archives at Kansas City will host Richard Lawrence Miller on Thursday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. for a discussion titled “Abe, Barack, and Us: How Far We’ve Come, How Far to Go.” Miller will compare and contrast presidential responses to problems experience by both presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. A 6:00 p.m. reception will precede the event. Attendees are encouraged to view the Abraham Lincoln exhibition, Lincoln Lives On, prior to Miller’s discussion. Lincoln Lives On is an exhibit created by the National Archives at Kansas City featuring original materials from the local community.

Richard Lawrence Miller is the author of a series of books about Abraham Lincoln, including Lincoln and His World: The Early Years, Birth to Illinois Legislature and Lincoln and His World: Prairie Politician. Miller worked for former President Herbert Hoover’s personal archivist after college and later became a public radio producer, whose programs were heard on National Public Radio and other outlets. He is an independent scholar who investigates and writes about a wide range of topics and is the author of Truman: The Rise to Power and Heritage of Fear: Illusion and Reality in the Cold War.

Miller’s third book in the series, Lincoln and His World: The Rise to National Prominence, will be forthcoming in November 2010. The following is a publisher’s excerpt about the book “based on deep consultation of seldom-examined primary sources, this third volume follows Lincoln’s long effort to win a seat in Congress, his activity there, and his return to Illinois--chastened by his Washington experience. Topics include: Lincoln’s anti-slavery efforts in Congress; the popularity of his stance against the Mexican War (which, contrary to common belief, didn’t significantly harm his political reputation); his support of Zachary Taylor’s presidential campaign and his subsequent efforts to win a patronage job from the Taylor White House; his political activities after returning to Illinois; and his generally happy home life with Mary and his sons. Throughout the work, a new portrait emerges of Lincoln as a canny politician, making his own luck by striking swiftly and strongly when opportunities arose.”

Copies of Lincoln and His World: The Early Years, Birth to Illinois Legislature and Lincoln and His World: Prairie Politician will be available for purchase at The Kansas City Store at the National Archives. Following the program Miller will be available to sign copies of his books. For more information or to make a reservation call 816-268-8010 or register by e-mailing: kansascity.educate@nara.gov.

The National Archives at Kansas City is one of 13 facilities nationwide where the public has access to Federal archival records. It is home to more than 50,000 cubic feet of historical records dating from the 1820s to the 1990s created or received by nearly 100 Federal agencies. Serving the Central Plains Region, the archives holds records from the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The facility is located at 400 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. It is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for research, with the exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 816-268-8000 or visit us online.

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NREKA 11-01

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