• Home

PEN America Virtual Author’s Evening with Brigadier General Ty Seidule

Ty Seidule headshot and “Robert E. Lee and Me” book cover

Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Time: 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
Location: Zoom
Suggested Donation to Attend: $125 per person

Join us for an intimate evening with Brigadier General Ty Seidule to discuss his new book, Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner’s Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause. Seidule grew up revering Robert E. Lee. From his southern childhood to his service in the U.S. Army, every part of his life reinforced the Lost Cause myth: that Lee was the greatest man who ever lived, and that the Confederates were underdogs who lost the Civil War with honor. Now, as a retired brigadier general and professor emeritus of history at West Point, his view has radically changed. As a soldier, a scholar, and a southerner, Seidule believes that American history demands a reckoning. This event is generously sponsored by Jerry and Sheree Friedman.

In a unique blend of history and reflection, Seidule deconstructs the truth about the Confederacy—that its undisputed primary goal was the subjugation and enslavement of Black Americans—and directly challenges the idea of honoring those who labored to preserve that system and committed treason in their failed attempt to achieve it. Through the arc of Seidule’s own life, as well as the culture that formed him, he seeks a path to understanding why the facts of the Civil War have remained buried beneath layers of myth and even outright lies—and how they embody a cultural gulf that separates millions of Americans to this day.

A donation is suggested to attend this very special evening. The donation is considered 100 percent tax-deductible and supports PEN America’s mission to defend writers and free expression at a time of unprecedented need. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

TICKETS/DONATIONS

Space will be limited to 25 guests to facilitate audience participation and discussion. Following your RSVP, you will be sent the Zoom meeting invitation. This is a private video meeting, and only guests who are on the RSVP list will be permitted to join.

Closed captioning is available for our Authors’ Evenings events upon request. Please email [email protected] within 24 hours of the program to include closed captioning.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

To make the suggested donation online, please click the button above. PEN America also accepts donations through checks, wire transfers, and donor-advised funds. Please indicate in the notes or memo section that the payment is an “Author’s Evening donation,” and if possible, include the name of the event. PEN America’s mailing address and transfer information are below.

Check
Please make checks payable to:
PEN America
Attn: Development Department/AE
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012

Electronic Transfer
Account name: PEN American Center Inc.
Routing code: 021000021
Account number: 616368556
Bank: JPMorgan Chase, New York, NY 10012