The Two World Wars and the Meaning of the 20th Century

In the week before ANZAC Day is commemorated once again, Professor David Reynolds will offer some topical reflections on how the two world wars have shaped Australia’s sense of meaning of the 20th century.

He will set the Australian story against the experience of other belligerent countries - including Britain, France, Germany, America and Russia - to show the very different significance that each nation has ascribed to the same two conflicts. History is a central element in concepts of national identity: this lecture offers a broader international perspective on Australia's saga.

David Reynolds, Professor of International History at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Christ’s College, is one of the world’s leading experts on twentieth century world history. An award-winning author, Professor Reynolds has written extensively on transatlantic relations during the Second World War and the Cold War.

His many works include:

• One World Divisible: A Global History since 1945 (Allen Lane, 2000)
• In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War(Random House, 2004) for which he received the prestigious Wolfson History Prize.
• Summits: Six Meetings that Shaped the Twentieth Century (Allen Lane, 2007)
• America, Empire of Liberty: A New History (Allen Lane, 2009)

Professor Reynolds also has served as an advisor and presenter for numerous history documentary series.

The Fusion lecture series features prominent thinkers on current public policy issues, and is named in recognition of the intellectual and political legacy of Alfred Deakin, Australia’s second Prime Minister and a leading figure in Australian federation (Deakin led a ‘fusion’ government, comprised of groups that would soon afterwards become the first Australian Liberal Party, in 1909-10).

The Fusion lectures draw inspiration from Alfred Deakin in bringing different disciplines to bear in interpreting and responding to global and regional change.

Details

Tuesday, April 19^th, 2011
RACV Club, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
5.30 PM Arrival for 6pm start

RSVP

Tuesday 12 April, 2011
Book Online at: http://www.trybooking.com/8364

Or at

Alfred Deakin Research Institute
Phone: (03) 5227 1464
Email: adri-events@deakin.edu.au