Republication of James Buchanan Biography to debut on September 6 with book signing, remarks

Edition features updated cover, images, layout, and a new introduction by Dr. Michael J. Birkner

LANCASTER, Pa. – LancasterHistory is excited to announce the long-awaited “Cursed Are The Peacemakers:” President James Buchanan, A Biography by Philip Shriver Klein with a new introduction by Dr. Michael J. Birkner, in a book launch event on Saturday, September 6. The book launch will feature a brief, 20-minute talk about the republication of the book and Dr. Klein, plus a book signing of “Cursed Are The Peacemakers” by Dr. Birkner.

Dr. Philip Shriver Klein’s biography on James Buchanan is considered to be one of the most thorough biographies on the 15th President, and the most remarkable for Klein’s unique perspective on Buchanan as a strict “constitutionalist.” Since the book left publication and Dr. Klein passed away in 1993, LancasterHistory connected with Dr. Klein’s family to republish the biography with Klein’s original title, plus a new cover, layout, and interior photographs. In particular, the book features a new, insightful introduction by Dr. Michael Birkner about Buchanan, Klein, and the historiography involved in the construction of presidential biographies and how their writing influences our assessment of presidents today.

The book launch event of “Cursed Are The Peacemakers:” President James Buchanan, A Biography will take place on Saturday, September 6, from 10 – 11:30am at LancasterHistory Museum & Research Center, 230 N. President Avenue, Lancaster. The event will begin at 10am with a book signing by Dr. Birkner, followed by a brief talk at 10:30am. Dr. Birkner will resume book signings after his talk at 11am.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested. Click here to register online or call (717) 392-4633 to register over the phone. Copies of “Cursed Are The Peacemakers” will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. The book is priced at $32, plus sales tax. LancasterHistory members save 20% on their purchase. Unsigned copies of the book will also be available for purchase online at lancasterhistory.org/shop after September 8.

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About LancasterHistory

LancasterHistory is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established to educate the public on the history of Lancaster County and its place in the history of Pennsylvania and the United States, to advance the missions of regional historical organizations, and to promote the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of resources representing the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania within the broader context of state and national history, including the life and legacy of Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, his house manager, Lydia Hamilton Smith, and America’s 15th President, James Buchanan.

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