William & Mary alumnus Steve Vogel ‘82, author and reporter for The Washington Post, will visit Swem Library on Friday, Nov. 22 to discuss his new book, Through the Perilous Fight: Six Weeks That Saved the Nation, and his life as a writer.
“Coming back to William & Mary to speak about Through the Perilous Fight is a big honor and thrill for me,” Vogel said. “Some of the classes I took as an undergrad did a lot to prepare me for a career as a writer and journalist.”
As a reporter for the national staff of The Washington Post, Vogel covers the federal government and frequently writes about the military and veterans. Based overseas from 1989 through 1994 and reporting for the Post and Army Times, he covered the fall of the Berlin Wall and the first Gulf War, and subsequently reported on military operations in Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Vogel covered the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and its subsequent reconstruction. He wrote the Military Matters column for the Post, and has also covered politics and law enforcement around the Washington region.
Vogel graduated from W&M in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in history and earned his master’s degree in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University in 1998. In addition to Through the Perilous Fight, he is the author of The Pentagon – A History, published by Random House in 2007.
Through the Perilous Fight tells the gripping story of the burning of Washington and the improbable last stand at Baltimore that helped save the nation and inspired its National Anthem. In a fast-paced, character-driven narrative, Vogel tells the story of this titanic struggle from the perspective of both sides. The book has garnered excellent reviews, with Gary Anderson of The Washington Times calling it the “best piece of military history that [he has] read or reviewed in the past five years.”
“It’s a pleasure and honor for Swem to promote new publications by notable alumni, especially when a work has such broad appeal,” said Carrie Cooper, the College’s dean of university libraries.
A book talk and cocktail reception will be held in Swem Library on Friday, Nov. 22 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. During this visit, Vogel will also meet with students and faculty in the history, American Studies and English departments to discuss his life as an author and journalist.
Vogel is particularly looking forward to talking to a W&M audience about James Monroe, an alumnus of the College.
“Monroe’s role in the War of 1812, particularly the capture of Washington, is often forgotten today. But he is a key figure in this story - part goat, part hero, and in the end, laying the foundation for some of his achievements as president,” he said.
Through the Perilous Fight: Book Talk & Reception
Date: Friday, Nov. 22
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Swem Library (Botetourt Theater, ground floor), 400 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg
Details: Swem Library welcomes Steve Vogel, author and reporter for The Washington Post, to campus to discuss his new book, Through the Perilous Fight: Six Weeks That Saved the Nation. Cocktail reception and book signing to follow presentation. Books available for purchase at the event. Free and open to the public. Program presented by Swem Library and the W&M Washington Office. Parking available behind Swem Library.
RSVP: swemrsvp@wm.edu
