It has been two years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but the shockwaves from the storm’s destructive force have not subsided. Historian and national bestselling author Douglas Brinkley, a history professor at Tulane University when the storm struck, will discuss his experiences and read excerpts from his new book “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Brinkley will visit the University of Houston at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14 in the Shamrock room of the Hilton University of Houston Hotel. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow his lecture.

“Douglas Brinkley offers a very timely and relevant approach to localizing and contextualizing history with his research, and, especially, with ‘The Great Deluge,’” said Cameron White, UH professor of education. “He offers a fresh significant perspective, thus modeling the importance of facilitating critical inquiry regarding societal issues.”

The book chronicles the actions of New Orleans and Louisiana officials prior to and after the storm.

Brinkley’s appearance is part of the Teaching American History Grant Projects from the U.S. Department of Education. The projects are intended to improve history content knowledge for teachers and the teaching of history in elementary and secondary schools. The UH program works in collaboration with the Houston Independent School District and Region 4 Education Service Center.

While at Tulane University, Brinkley also was director of the Theodore Roosevelt Center for American Civilization. He is the history commentator for CBS News and a contributing editor to Vanity Fair magazine. Brinkley is the literary executor for the late journalist Hunter S. Thompson, and the authorized biographer for Beat generation author Jack Kerouac. His previous publications include “Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War,” about U.S. Senator John Kerry's military service and anti-war activism during the Vietnam War.

WHAT:	Historian and bestselling author Douglas Brinkley discussing his book “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,”
WHEN:	7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14
WHERE:	Hilton University of Houston Hotel, Shamrock Room. For directions and parking information, visit www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/CHC.html
WHO:	UH College of Education Houston Independent School District Region 4 Education Service Center