Humanities Commentaries on VPR

“Sharing Our Past — Shaping Our Future” Since 1974

For more information contact VHC
at info@vermonthumanities.org

or 802.262.2626

Virtue and Desire (2-12-10) In anticipation of Valentine's Day this Sunday, executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council and commentator Peter Gilbert is considering a love poem that's more than four hundred years old. While it appears to be mostly about virtue, it also speaks of passion and desire.

The Great Game (2-5-10) The Super Bowl is this Sunday, but commentator and Humanities Council Executive Director, Peter Gilbert, has been thinking about not the "big game," but "The Great Game," a contest that went on for well over a century – and the clock is still running.

Smokeless Burning (1-22-10) As more people talk about carbon footprints and turn to burning wood to heat their homes, Vermont Humanities Council executive director and commentator Peter Gilbert thinks of the science involved – and a poem by a poet who knew a lot about science.

Twelfth Night (1-6-10) Today is "Twelfth Night" - the traditionally festive twelfth day after Christmas. Commentator and executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert, has been thinking about Shakespeare's play by the same name.

Luggage and Baggage (12-29-09) While he was traveling recently, two incidents got commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of new versus old – and about all the baggage we carry with us.

On Learning Vocabulary (12-16-09) Commentator Peter Gilbert offers some advice - to students who are or will be studying vocabulary words in anticipation of taking the SATs - and to everyone who likes words.

Montreal Massacre Anniversary (12-3-09) This weekend scholars, social workers, and activists are gathering in Montreal for a three-day international conference about violence against women. Here's commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert to tell you why.

Recent Amazing Discoveries (11-4-09) Commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert has noticed that around the world people are finding things - amazing stuff - but why this spate of wonderful discoveries should be happening now, he doesn't know.

The Al Smith Dinner (10-15-09) Tonight is the night of one of the most venerable Washington events at which politicians and others crack jokes at the expense of their opponents – and themselves. Here's commentator and executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert with the details.

Anti-intellectualism in America (10-5-09) Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director and VPR Commentator Peter Gilbert recently went back and read a classic book that remains as thought-provoking today as it was when it was published 45 years ago.

Battle of Quebec (9-18-09) Tomorrow is the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Quebec. Commentator and Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert reflects on that compelling story, and on two historic heroes in his own life.

Big Oil Birthday (8-27-09) Commentator and executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert tells us about the 150th anniversary of an historic event in which he's always had a special interest.

Asking Rhetorical Questions (8-19-09) Commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert has lots of questions on his mind. And they're all rhetorical.

On Written Language (7-28-09) The four hundredth anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's arrival on the lake that now bears his name has reminded commentator and Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director Peter Gilbert of two movies – and of the miracle of written language and reading.

Footprints in the Serengeti (7-17-09) On the fiftieth anniversary of an important archeological discovery, commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert considers that discovery – and recalls a few of his own memorable impressions of that part of the world.

Vietnam Anniversary (7-7-09) Vermont Humanities Council executive director and commentator Peter Gilbert has been thinking about the first Americans to die during the conflict we refer to as the Vietnam War. And it began a half century ago tomorrow.

Commit to Memory (6-24-09) Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council and commentator Peter Gilbert is thinking about English kings and queens today, nearly a thousand years of them – and specifically, one of them who fell right in the middle.

Edward Connery Lathem (6-12-09) When long-time Dartmouth administrator and distinguished editor Edward Connery Lathem died last month at the age of 82, America lost one of the last of a bygone era. Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director and commentator Peter Gilbert has this remembrance.

The Great Turkey Drives (5-25-09) VPR commentators gathered this spring at Sugarbush Resort to address a common theme, the Long Haul, and we're sharing a few of their thoughts this week. For commentator Peter Gilbert, the theme brought to mind a little known – but highly entertaining – aspect of Vermont's agricultural history.

Each month, VHC’s Executive Director Peter Gilbert presents commentaries on Vermont Public Radio that examine current and past events from a humanities perspective. You can read or listen to Peter’s commentaries by clicking on the links below.

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11 Loomis Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602

802.262.2626

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E-mail: info@vermonthumanities.org