Nick Bryant in conversation with Hamish Macdonald
Event description
ABOUT THE EVENT:
The Forever War tells the story of how America’s political polarisation is 250 years in the making, and argues that the roots of its modern-day malaise are to be found in its troubled past.
On Tuesday the 4th June at White Bay Beer Co, join Nick Bryant in conversation with Hamish Macdonald.
Copies of The Forever War will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with Bryant signing copies after the discussion.
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Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm or earlier for a 7pm start at White Bay Beer Co. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot!
The bar opens 6pm and closes at 9.30pm on the night of the event. Settle in and grab a drink before or after, with an incredible range of locally brewed beers and other beverages to enjoy.
White Bay has teamed up with Balmain Pizza legends Tipo 00 Balmain to take over the brewery kitchen, serving their classic pizza's along with a rotating weekly special. So why not make a full evening of it and come for dinner too? You can order before or after the event
If you miss out on a ticket, you can still watch the event as it is livestreamed from the Roaring Stories Facebook page (accessible on the Home page and from the Live tab). A recording will also be available to view later as an upload on the Roaring Stories YouTube channel.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
The Forever War tells the story of how America’s political polarisation is 250 years in the making, and argues that the roots of its modern-day malaise are to be found in its troubled past.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the American experiment is failing. Division, mistrust and misinformation are now its defining characteristics. The storming of the Capitol, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the increasing spotlight on Second Amendment rights raise the spectre of further political violence, and even the possibility of a second civil war.
Nick Bryant argues that the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are in fact a core part of America’s story. Combining brilliant storytelling with historical research, Bryant argues that insurrections, assassinations and massacres – from the American Civil War through to JFK and the inner-city race riots of the late ’60s, up to the more recent school shootings and the murder of George Floyd – should sadly not be seen as abnormalities.
The compromises originally designed to hold the union together – the Amendments made in the Reconstruction era to give rights back to former enslaved people, the apportionment of political power – have never truly been resolved. Today, a country that looked confidently to the future has become captive to its contentious past.
'Bryant writes as both a keen political reporter and a first-class historian, interweaving past and present to supremely powerful effect. It’s a superb achievement.' DOMINIC SANDBROOK, host of The Rest is History
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ABOUT NICK BRYANT
During a career spanning almost thirty years, Nick Bryant came to be regarded as one of the BBC’s finest foreign correspondents and was described as ‘the new Alistair Cooke’. He has been posted in Washington, South Asia, Australia and, most recently, New York, where he covered the Trump years. His writing has appeared in The Economist, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Monthly and The New Statesman. He broadcasts regularly on the BBC and ABC. Nick studied history at Cambridge and has a doctorate in American politics from Oxford. He now lives in Sydney with his wife and children. His book, When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present, currently resides on Joe Biden’s bookshelf in the Oval Office.
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ABOUT HAMISH MACDONALD
Hamish Macdonald is an award-winning journalist who has covered wars, disasters, and major world events. He is co-host of ‘Global Roaming’ on ABC Radio National and ‘The Project’ on Channel Ten.
Hamish has won numerous awards including a Walkley for current affairs journalism and was named Young Journalist of the Year by Britain's Royal Television Society.
Hamish has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Ukraine, the nuclear disaster in Japan, uprisings in Hong Kong and Egypt, the London bombings and the rise of ISIS.
Outside of Australia he has worked for Channel 4 News in the UK, Al Jazeera English, and America's ABC where he was International Affairs Correspondent.
In 2016 he became a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
Refunds
Please note that tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or postponed due to extenuating circumstances. Refunds are not issued within 48 hours notice of event date. Humanitix fee is nonrefundable.
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This event is presented by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain and Penguin Random House.
With thanks to our venue partner White Bay Beer Co
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