next louisa thomas recounts the life of her great grand forenorman thomas. theythe thomas brothers had conflicting views of the war raging from soldiers in the war to pacifist norman. the author discusses her family's history with jonathan meacham. this summer marks the 100th anniversary of the start of world war i. >> thank you to the museum, which has in a relatively short time has become such an important part in the city. you hear about it in the south and they are instrughted that not everything is tenement so they can look and see what it used to be like. congratulations to louisa who has written, i think, a wonderful book. a deeply researched and engagely written account of her own family, which is not always an ease thing to do. i want to start with specific questions and we're going to read a couple of things and then there will be socialist jeopardy to keep her going. we'll start with why this book now? >> as you mentioned, it is a family story but it is also a story about an american family and a time at war and a time when the country was going t

louisa thomas, tuf. [ applause ] >> now, we have instructions you must follow conscientio conscientiously. >> if you have questions, just come right up here for them. >> this gentleman has been notes. never a good sign. >> could you talk about norman's inspiration and all by the work reid?n >> sure. 1918.man socialism in e didn't mention at all that there was a russian revolution in 1917. many liberalslike the world was hugely inspired by this. too.an was so was walter woodman and woodrow wilson. address, he said basically how we treat russia democracy.est of our became -- norman inspired by of as the utopian project as john reid was. when you applied for the you explained , not part of the socialist party. > and you have to be successful. the socialist party. >> in the midwest, a nonpartisan league. i fear that the party is not lways reflective of civil liberties.s a -- not a marxist. fear any capitalistic or socialistic has control of the men. of more good and he sent this letter out and the application was returned to because he had not filled out the other side of the practical inform