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Book in Common: Searching the American Soul

Author Jacob Needleman rediscovers spiritual depth in icons of democracy

Jacob Needleman will lecture on the philosophical and spiritual aspects of American life Nov. 13 at 7:30 pm in Laxson Auditorium. Needleman is the author of The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders, this year's Book in Common. Needleman is a philosophy professor at San Francisco State University and the author of several books.

Needleman finds substance for the meaning of the American soul in the nation's heroes, myths, legacies, writers, and thinkers, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, the Iroquois Confederacy, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Walt Whitman.

"[T]he only hope for humanity is in the growth of the soul. Such is the message of the teachings of wisdom that gave original light to the ideals of the American nation," Needle-man writes.

"Though Needleman has clear views on American society and history, those views do not easily collapse onto a single point in the spectrum of contemporary political ideology," explained Dennis Rothermel, interim vice provost for academic affairs and dean of undergraduate education, on the selection of The American Soul for this year's Book in Common. "As a philosopher, Needleman is inspired to provide a context for raising issues that entice and demand further discussion and argument," said Rothermel.

This lecture is free and open to the public, but a ticket is required for admission; tickets are available at the University Box Office. Needleman's visit is sponsored by Chico Performances and the Office of the Provost.

Activist to Speak About Peace in Northern Ireland

Kelly Candaele is one of CSU, Chico's most accomplished graduates. He is an activist, screenwriter -- A League of Their Own -- and journalist (the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and The Nation). Candaele's talk "Northern Ireland: The Spiritual Politics of Peace," will take place Nov. 12 at 7:30 pm in Harlen Adams Theatre.

In addition to A League of Their Own, Candaele has been involved in several other movies, including an award-winning film on the life of assassinated Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, and a film on the Chinese human rights activist Harry Wu.

As a journalist, Candaele accompanied President Clinton on three trips to Northern Ireland. Candaele has a passion for the country, and for the spiritual politics of peace, a concept he says has to do with the ability to go beyond impulses toward revenge and retaliation, and to recognize the suffering of others. He has traveled to Northern Ireland at least 20 times since the IRA cease-fire in 1994. "I've learned a good deal about the hold communal identity has on people in areas of intense conflict, but also about the ability of leaders to reconcile differences that are seemingly intractable," Candaele said.

Candaele graduated from CSU, Chico in 1980 with an M.A. in counseling and psychology. He is the featured speaker for this year's Hodgkins Peace Studies Lecture. The lecture, free and open to the public, is made possible by an endowment from the Hodgkins family and support from International Programs, CELT, Humanities and Fine Arts, Philosophy, and Volunteers Inspiring Vocational Action.