Professor Brenda Matthews will give a presentation on the historical background of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak at 12:15 p.m. on Nov 12, in the West Library Orientation Room. 

The Book Thief is a fictional account of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany before and during the Second World War. Dr. Matthews’ program is part of TXWES Reads, the yearlong book club sponsored by the West Library. Dr. Matthews will focus on the Nazi rise to power in the 1930s and its transformation of German culture and society through the Nuremberg race laws, propaganda, and re-education of the citizenry, the elimination of all Jewish and radical art, the creation of the Nazi Youth programs, and efforts of the Nazi’s to eliminate any political opposition through the use of concentration camps.

Haven’t read the book? Come anyway and join us for this great and interesting learning experience!