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Author Andrew Preston to give BYU Book of the Semester lecture Feb. 11

On “Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy”

The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies Book of the Semester program at Brigham Young University will host Andrew Preston, author of “Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy,” Monday, Feb. 11, at noon in the Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium.

He will discuss how religion has shaped America in the world. Admission is free, and the public is welcome

Preston is a senior lecturer in American history at the University of Cambridge, where he is a fellow of Clare College. Previously he taught history and international studies at Yale University. His book “Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith” won the 2012 Cundill “Recognition of Excellence” Award from McGill University.

His fellow author Jon Meacham, who wrote “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power and American Gospel,” said, “Faith is one of the most influential factors in our national life, and Preston’s excellent book gives religion its due as a force that shapes who we are, what wars we fight and which causes we make our own.”

Preston received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in international history from the London School of Economics and a doctorate in history from the University of Cambridge.

For more information, contact Lee Simons at (801) 422-2652 or lee_simons@byu.edu.

Writer: Hwa Lee

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Photo by Bella Torgerson/BYU Photo

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