OSHER 925 - History and Literature: "The Curse of Pietro Houdini"

Historical novels tell interesting stories about a time and its people, requiring authors to do extensive research so their writing reflects history accurately. Using the lenses of art and war, this class will offer a one-hour lecture on St. Benedict's storied Montecassino Abbey during World War II. This centuries-old bastion of faith played a major role in German efforts to control the art treasures of western civilization and became the center of the defining battle for control of the Italian peninsula in 1944. In the second hour, we will continue with a discussion of the novel as contemporary literature. Readers and history buffs welcome! Participants should read "The Curse of Pietro Houdini" by Derek B. Miller before class begins.