PORT ANGELES, WA. – Peninsula College History Professor Michael Casella-Blackburn will offer a lecture and reading focusing on his latest book: Diplomatic Black Hole: Conspiracy and Political Fear in Mid-20th Century America, at Peninsula College’s May 25 Studium Generale, beginning at 12:35 pm.

The use of political fear and conspiracy can work wonders to ensure a certain foreign policy or direction the nation should go, but what about the consequences of half-truths and distortions to get what you want? In the 1940s and 1950s a powerful group, called the China Lobby, not only pushed to “save” China from Communism, but also encouraged confrontation with the Soviet Union, pushing to the brink use of nuclear war. The consequences were many needless wars and deaths, and an order to the world many hoped to change, the author says.

Cassella-Blackburn joined the Peninsula College faculty in 2003 as a history professor. He received his Ph.D. from Syracuse University, and his latest field of study is Sino-Soviet-American relations. In 2004, Praeger published his book, The Donkey, the Carrot and the Club: William C. Bullitt and Soviet American Relations, 1917-1948. In 2018, Mellon published his Radical Anti-Communism in Postwar America, 1945-1950: William C. Bullitt and the Case for Saving China. He lives in Port Townsend with his wife Lynne.

This event is free and open to the public. Join us in The Little Theater or via Zoom at https://pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/83024542567, Meeting ID: 830 2454 2567.