Statewide book group builds community through conversation
Christian G. Appy is the author of this year's book selection, Patriots: The Vietnam War Remembered from All Sides. Photo by Sheri Dolfen
Each year the Wisconsin Humanities Council (WHC) hosts A More Perfect Union, a free, statewide book group that prompts readers to examine some aspect of the U.S. Constitution Ð both its ideals and its realities.
Constitutional themes
Taking its inspiration from the Preamble, the WHC structures each year's theme around a different phrase in the first sentence, which begins, "We the people of the United States, in order to form..."
Begun in 2004, and corresponding with the presidential election, the first series reflected on the characteristics of ideal politicians. In doing so, it utilized texts from such disparate authors as Greek playwright Aeschylus and present-day Pulitzer Prize-winner Joseph Ellis.
Diverse voices
This year, in consideration of what our Founding Fathers called "the common Defense," the four titles in the series examine the ways in which the United States has, or has not, chosen to defend its interests domestically and abroad. The books, which include an award-winning collection of oral histories about Vietnam and Philip Roth's most recent novel, ask participants to take a hard look at U.S. foreign policy.
The conversations have been provocative, especially in light of current events. To some, they have also been heartening. "The books dealt with difficult subjects, sometimes horrible events," writes a participant from Janesville. "But we need to face these things. Good change is possible. We need to be hopeful and active."
WHC support
More than 20 groups, encompassing about 300 individuals, have signed up to participate in this year's discussion. The WHC lends 15 copies of the books and accompanying discussion guides to any group in Wisconsin that meets in a public space and publicly advertises its meetings. The WHC also will pay for a scholar to join the group in a discussion about one or more of the books.
WHC, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, operates through the University of Wisconsin-Extension. — Masarah Van Eyck
For more information: WHC Program Officer Jessica Becker, jebecker2@wisc.edu, (608) 262-0706; www.wisconsinhumanities.org