In connection with One Book One Bozeman, MSU History Professor Robert Rydell described a portion of his extensive research on world’s fairs. He provides fascinating details connecting fairs to people and society, mentioning, among others, Lewis Carroll, Walt Whitman, Helen Keller, war anxiety, the Pledge of Allegiance, and cultural struggles between science and religion. Fairs reflect not only society’s inspirations and aspirations, but also its uglier features, such as racism and inequality.

Recorded at the Country Bookshelf in Bozeman on February 11, 2019.