Joe R. Sexton Lecture Series: Elyse Graham, Author of Book and Dagger

As part of the annual Joe R. Sexton Lecture Series, Elyse Graham will discuss her new book, Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II.  Book and Dagger tells the previously untold story of the academics who became OSS spies, invented modern spycraft, and helped turn the tide of World War II.

In Book and Dagger, Graham draws on personal histories, letters and declassified OSS files to tell the story of a small but connected group of humanities scholars turned spies. Among them are Joseph Curtiss, a literature professor who hunted down German spies and turned them into double agents; Sherman Kent, a smart-mouthed history professor who rose to become the head of analysis for all of Europe and Africa; and Adele Kibre, an archivist who was sent to Stockholm to secretly acquire documents for the OSS. These unforgettable characters would ultimately help lay the foundations of modern intelligence and transform American higher education when they returned after the war.

Reception at 6 p.m.; program follows at 6:30 p.m.

Book sale and signing by Elm Street Books.

Registration required.

The Joe R. Sexton Lecture Series is presented in memory of Joseph (Joe) R. Sexton and was created to perpetuate his spirit, interests, and his adventurous outlook on life.

 Generously supported by Mel Klugman and the Friends of Ferguson Library.