i asked them all, what would you ask rick atkinson if you were sitting with him?e of the people that responded with carol rivkin who gave me the concept of true journalism and true writing. and she wanted to know how these thought processes are similar in how they are different. >> guest: carol reardon is a history professor at penn state. she was at one time had to be a society for military has terry. you know, i think it's a question of lenses. when you're a journalist, you can look at things through a certain lens of a certain length with a certain aperture on it. when you're writing a instant history as a journalist -- and i would say this about my time with dave petraeus in the 101st airborne, a kind of instant history. but the different plans, different aperture. when you're writing what professor alan millette, was the previous winner of this award would call true history, then that again is a different lens in a different aperture. and i think that what i have found at least is that distance on the fence allows you to see things obviously that you can't se

[applause] our thanks to rick atkinson for joining us. view other programs by visiting pritzker military library.org. for all the staff at the pritzker military library in chicago, i'm ed tracy. thanks for joining us. [applause] i still have 16 pages of notes and questions from outside, but we're going to turn over to the audience at this point be, rick. max is there, and here's question one. >> first of all, i'd like to thank you for -- not thank you, but congratulate you on your upcoming award. but i'm curious, you've got my curiosity piqued here. how kid you answer general petraeus -- did you answer general petraeus when he asked you that question as to how do we end this? >> well, as a journalist at that time, it's not my role to answer his question, and i wouldn't presume to do that. it's my job to try to understand as fully as i can what's going on including in the brain of the commanding general of the 101st airborne at that time. so i didn't answer. i looked in those blue eyes of his, and i saw that he was troubled, and it really

friday morning at 8:00 eastern -- jimmy carter, rick atkinson, michael corda. james smiley on the man who changed the world although few have heard of him, the man who invented the computer. find a complete holiday schedule tv.org. t this weekend, a "q&a" continues saturday and sunday with interviews from london. the lead -- labor party's shadow minister for public health on budget cut plans and her experiences as a minority in parliament. sunday, comparing the british and american forms of government as we talk to our guest about elections, impact of money in races, the power of the prime minister, taxes, social issues and the cost of living. this saturday and sunday night at 8:00 p.m. >> it should not take a constitutional crisis, a terrorist attack or financial calamity to someone from each of us and his body collectively the greatness with which we are capable, nor can america afford to wait. >> search for a farewell speeches and hear from retiring senators on the c-span video library. with every c-span programs since 1987. more than 160,000 hours, all on l

the latest nonfiction titles and others, including jimmy carter, rick atkinson and on "after words," jane smiley on the man who changed the world. the man who invented the computer. find the complete schedule metcalat booktv.org. >> the senate today ratified a nuclear arms treaty with russia known as start. in a 71-256 votes. after the vote, a john kerry and richard lugar spoke to reporters. this is 15 minutes. >> that will move our country to a stronger and safer position and away from the brink of nuclear potential disaster. >> i want to emphasize this was a bipartisan vote. it represented senators coming together to do america's business. there are no winners on one side or the other. this is a victory for the american people, a victory for our country, and a victory for all those people invested in making the world safer by reducing the threat of nuclear weapons. i am particularly grateful to my partner in this effort, richard lugar, who has been one of our national leaders on non- proliferation for years and years. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i join the chairman in rejoicing for

the latest nonfiction title with authors including jimmy carter, rick atkinson, and on afterwards, jane smiley on the man who changed the world though few have heard of him. the man who invented the computer. see the complete holiday schedule at booktv.org. >> next, a discussion on partisanism in american politics. from the no labels conference, this is an hour.

the latest nonfiction titles and authors, including jimmy carter, rick atkinson, and on afterwards, janewho changed the world." the man who invented the computer. find a complete schedule on booktv.org. you are watching c-span, bringing you politics and public affairs. "washington journal" connects you to policy makers and journalist. watched the house and our continued coverage. every week night, congressional hearings. also supreme court oral arguments. on the weekend you can see our programs, the communicators, and prime minister's questions from the british house of commons. you can also watch our program any time as c-span.org. it is all searchable at our c- span digital library. >> on wednesday the senate passed a bill to compensate 9-11 rescue workers at ground zero in new york who became ill from breathing toxic fumes and dust. the measure included $4.2 billion to pay for health coverage. two chief sponsors along with several 9-11 sponsor's spokesman in washington. this is 45 minutes. [applause] >> usa, usa, usa! [applause] >>, maine. -- come on in. you got it. >> down in front.