Governor’s lecture to feature bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick

The free public event is the 31st Annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities, presented by Humanities Nebraska. Tickets can be reserved through the Lied Center here, by calling 402-472-4747 or by visiting the Lied’s box office, temporarily in the lobby of the Johnny Carson Theater. Forum events are general admission, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Philbrick is the author of eight bestselling works of American history, including “Mayflower,” a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for History. He will speak on the American Revolution, the topic of three of his books. He has appeared on various programs, including the PBS show “American Experience” and Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution.” On Oct. 27, Philbrick will converse with Tyler White, professor of practice in political science and faculty director of the University Honors Program. Immediately prior to the program, the Sower Award in the Humanities will be presented during Humanities Nebraska’s sold-out benefit dinner.

This year’s Thompson Forum series is organized around the theme “We the People: America at 250” and explores the ordinary and extraordinary people, ideals and global forces that have shaped the first 250 years of the American experiment. The season is co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska College of Law and Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation.

The season opened with “A Conversation with Sarah M.S. Pearsall: A World History of the American Revolution” on Sept. 22.

Other Thompson Forum events

• “A Lecture by Darius Wallace: Frederick Douglass’ Expanding Notions of Freedom,” Nov. 4, 7 p.m., Johnny Carson Theater, Lied Center: Wallace is a historical interpreter, educator and actor praised for his portrayal of the iconic abolitionist. The talk will explore Douglass’ support of equal rights, fairness and dignity for all people.
• “A Lecture by Rebecca Nagle: First America — How Indigenous Nations Shaped U.S. Democracy,” Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m., Swanson Auditorium, Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.: Nagle is an award-winning journalist, Cherokee Nation citizen and author of “By the Fire We Carry.” The event is presented with Vision Maker Media and the Center for Great Plains Studies.
• “A Storytelling Show with Greg Jackson: The Unlikely Union — America’s First Century of Revolution, Reform and Resilience,” March 2, 6:30 p.m., Lied Center: Jackson is an associate professor of history at Utah Valley University; creator, host and head writer of the podcast “History That Doesn’t Suck”; and author of “Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome.” The event is presented with Civic Nebraska.
• “A Conversation with Steve Inskeep: People, Power and America’s Stories,” March 30, 6:30 p.m., Lied Center: Inskeep is the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “Up First” and author of “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America.” The event is presented with Nebraska Public Media and the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues is a cooperative project of the Cooper Foundation, Lied Center and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The series was established in 1988 with the purpose of bringing a diversity of viewpoints on international and public policy issues to the university and people of Nebraska to promote understanding and encourage discussion. For more information, including ticket registration, visit the Thompson Forum website.