“Truth and Consequence” by Daniel Ellsberg: a talk with the book’s editors, Michael Ellsberg and Jan Thomas

Almost all Americans of a certain age, and students of political science and history worldwide, know the name Daniel Ellsberg. And they mostly know him for his incredibly courageous act of leaking what became known as “The Pentagon Papers” – classified documents that told the truth of the U.S. government’s massive cover-up of the prosecution of its war on Vietnam. 

What is lesser-known is that Daniel, at the tender age of 27, had one of highest level security clearances in government as a top nuclear consultant and strategic analyst to the Rand corporation, the Pentagon and the White House… and then later went on to be one of the most vociferous voices decrying the insanity of planning for a war that would effectively end civilization as we know it. This story, he published in 2017 in the seminal book, The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner. 

What is even lesser-known is that Daniel was a prolific writer, but rarely published his writings. Now, three years after his tragic passing from pancreatic cancer, his son, Michael Ellsberg, in conjunction with Jan Thomas, one of Daniel’s earliest assistants, have collected and curated a volume of never-before published personal and professional musings, notes, and warnings that give deep insight into the thoughts behind this brilliant mind.

Please join us online, Thursday, June 25th at 6pm CT as we welcome Michael and Jan to discuss this all-important book.