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.”

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.”

History professor, author to read from new book

PORT ANGELES – 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 Studium Generale on Thursday.

The free lecture will begin at 12:35 p.m. at the Little Theater on the college’s Port Angeles campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. It also will be on Zoom at https://pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/83024542567. The meeting ID is 830 2454 2567.

”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?” the author said in a press release.

“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 said.

Cassella-Blackburn joined the Peninsula College faculty in 2003 as a history professor. He received his doctorate 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.”

Cassella-Blackburn lives in Port Townsend with his wife Lynne.

More in Entertainment

Cancan dancers such as these will perform at Hog Wild Goes to Moulin Rouge on June 28 at Field Arts & Events Hall in Port Angeles. (EnJoy)
Hog Wild event to feature dancers, acrobats

Tickets available for purchase through this weekend

Theatre group to host play to benefit food banks

The Wacky Wednesday Theatre Group will present “The Absolutely… Continue reading

A camping scene, circa 1895, with the McClinton brothers as the photographers. (North Olympic History Center)
History center to host reception for library exhibit

The North Olympic History Center and the North Olympic… Continue reading

Singer-songwriter to perform at Rainshadow Concerts

Dan Navarro will perform for Rainshadow Concerts at 7:30… Continue reading

Collage workshop set for Port Ludlow Art League meeting

Carol Nielsen and Pamela Raine will host a hands-on… Continue reading

Dance classes Saturday to honor longtime teacher

Drop-in dance classes, a flag retirement ceremony, concerts and stage performances highlight… Continue reading

The Wild Rose Chorale will present two concerts this weekend at Grace Lutheran Church. Singers are, from left, Pat Rodgers, Doug Rodgers, Chuck Helman, Al Thompson, Cherry Chenruk-Geelan, Mark Schecter, Sarah Gustner-Hewitt, Kris Lott, Leslie Lewis, Rolf Vegdahl, JES Schumacher, Lynn Nowak and Patricia Nerison. (Jo Tiffany)
Wild Rose Chorale to host weekend concerts

The Wild Rose Chorale will present “You’ll Be in… Continue reading

Tickets on sale for ‘Lion King Jr.’

Tickets for Ghostlight Productions’ “Lion King Jr.” are on sale.… Continue reading

Studium Generale to conclude with legacy of Paddle to Seattle

Peninsula College will finish this year’s Studium Generale schedule… Continue reading

Mary Marcial in the late 1990s.
Classes set to honor founder of Port Angeles Dance Center

Former dancers from the Port Angeles Dance Center will… Continue reading

Ken DeBuc, Toby Anderson and Anne Rutherford won the 2024 Liar’s Contest.
Liars Contest to be conducted at Field Hall on Thursday

The Story People of Clallam County will present its… Continue reading

“Adventuress Sunrise” by Mitchel Osborne is one of more than 50 artworks in Northwind Art’s online auction starting Monday. A pop-up gallery with all of the works on display is set for Tuesday and June 11 at the Cotton Building in Port Townsend. (Mitchel Osborne)
Art auction coming with Port Townsend pop-up gallery

Northwind Art will host its first Fundraising Art Auction… Continue reading