November Public Programs
Press Release · Thursday, September 23, 1999

Washington, DC

 In November, the National Archives and Records Administration presents two lectures and booksignings with topics on espionage and baseball.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates by calling the National Archives public events line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.

Tuesday, November 2—Eleanor Roosevelt
Allida Black will discuss her book, Courage in a Dangerous World. Dr. Black has gathered more than 200 columns, articles, essays, and speeches by Eleanor Roosevelt. The selections trace her development from timorous columnist to one of liberalism's most outspoken leaders. Dr. Black is the Finely Post-Doctoral Fellow at George Mason University and curator for an exhibit on Eleanor Roosevelt for the New-York Historical Society. Noon. Room 105.

Thursday, November 4—Espionage
Espionage is considered the world's second-oldest profession. Norman Polmar will discuss his book, Spy Book: The Encyclopedia of Espionage. More than 2,000 entries deliver the scoop on agencies, operations, jargon, technology, and even such fictional figures as James Bond. The wide variety of sources used by the authors included previously unavailable archival sources (e.g., the CIA and the KGB) as well as interviews with individuals involved in espionage/intelligence activities, court documents, private correspondence, and presentations at intelligence conferences. Noon. Room 105.

Tuesday, November 9—Baseball/Civil Rights
Bruce Adelson will discuss his book, Brushing Back Jim Crow. While Jackie Robinson is justly famous for breaking the color line in major league baseball in 1947, other young African American players, among them Hank Aaron, continued to struggle for acceptance on southern farm teams well into the 1960s. Adelson interviewed dozens of athletes, managers, and sportswriters who witnessed this important but largely unrecognized front in the ongoing civil rights movement. Slowly, through the vehicle of baseball, African Americans shattered Jim Crow restrictions and met the backlash against Brown v. Board of Education while simultaneously challenging long-held perceptions of racial inadequacy by performing on the field. Bruce Adelson is a past commentator for NPR and wrote about baseball for the Washington Post, USA Today's Baseball Weekly, Sport Magazine, and Baseball America. Noon. Room 105.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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