Although the first proper Notre Dame commencement - conferring degrees on two candidates - took place in 1849, General William Tecumseh Sherman was Notre Dame's first graduation speaker with a truly national reputation. He attended Notre Dame's ceremony in 1865, just months after accepting the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate army. Sherman, whose sons had been students at Notre Dame, came less to give an address than to utter words of thanks for the kindness shown to his family, who had found refuge in the area during the war. When prevailed upon to speak he offered some extemporaneous remarks, calling on Notre Dame graduates and students to "be ready at all times to perform bravely the battle of life." "Go Forth and Do Good: Memorable Notre Dame Commencement Addresses" brings together 24 notable graduation speeches, ranging from the words General Sherman delivered in 1865 to President George W. Bush's remarks in 2001. Also included in this collection is a letter sent to 1986 graduates by Mother Teresa and Father Theodore M. Hesburgh's final charge to the graduating class of 1987. Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C., provides a introduction that clarifies the importance of the selected speeches, and places them in the context of the history of both Notre Dame and the world. A brief biographical introduction and photograph of the speaker precede each address.

On April 12, 1945, Franklin Roosevelt died and Harry Truman took his place in the White House. Historians have been arguing ever since about the implications of this transition for American foreign policy in general and relations with the Soviet Union in particular. Was there essential continuity in policy or did Truman's arrival in the Oval Office prompt a sharp reversal away from the approach of his illustrious predecessor? This study explores this controversial issue and in the process casts important light on the outbreak of the Cold War. From Roosevelt to Truman investigates Truman's foreign policy background and examines the legacy that FDR bequeathed to him. After Potsdam and the American use of the atomic bomb, both of which occurred under Truman's presidency, the US floundered between collaboration and confrontation with the Soviets, which represents a turning point in the transformation of American foreign policy. This work reveals that the real departure in American policy came only after the Truman administration had exhausted the legitimate possibilities of the Rooseveltian approach of collaboration with the Soviet Union.

On April 12, 1945, Franklin Roosevelt died and Harry Truman took his place in the White House. Historians have been arguing ever since about the implications of this transition for American foreign policy in general and relations with the Soviet Union in particular. Was there essential continuity in policy or did Truman's arrival in the Oval Office prompt a sharp reversal away from the approach of his illustrious predecessor? This study explores this controversial issue and in the process casts important light on the outbreak of the Cold War. From Roosevelt to Truman investigates Truman's foreign policy background and examines the legacy that FDR bequeathed to him. After Potsdam and the American use of the atomic bomb, both of which occurred under Truman's presidency, the US floundered between collaboration and confrontation with the Soviets, which represents a turning point in the transformation of American foreign policy. This work reveals that the real departure in American policy came only after the Truman administration had exhausted the legitimate possibilities of the Rooseveltian approach of collaboration with the Soviet Union.

This book explores the American use of atomic bombs, and the role these weapons played in the defeat of the Japanese Empire in World War II. It focuses on President Harry S. Truman's decision making regarding this most controversial of all his decisions. The book relies on notable archival research, and the best and most recent scholarship on the subject to fashion an incisive overview that is fair and forceful in its judgments. This study addresses a subject that has been much debated among historians, and it confronts head-on the highly disputed claim that the Truman administration practiced atomic diplomacy. The book goes beyond its central historical analysis to ask whether it was morally right for the United States to use these terrible weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It also provides a balanced evaluation of the relationship between atomic weapons and the origins of the Cold War."

This book explores the American use of atomic bombs, and the role these weapons played in the defeat of the Japanese Empire in World War II. It focuses on President Harry S. Truman's decision making regarding this most controversial of all his decisions. The book relies on notable archival research, and the best and most recent scholarship on the subject to fashion an incisive overview that is fair and forceful in its judgments. This study addresses a subject that has been much debated among historians, and it confronts head-on the highly disputed claim that the Truman administration practiced atomic diplomacy. The book goes beyond its central historical analysis to ask whether it was morally right for the United States to use these terrible weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It also provides a balanced evaluation of the relationship between atomic weapons and the origins of the Cold War.

When George C. Marshall became Secretary of State in January of 1947, he faced not only a staggering array of serious foreign policy questions but also a State Department rendered ineffective by neglect, maladministration, and low morale. Soon after his arrival Marshall asked George F. Kennan to head a new component in the department's structure--the Policy Planning Staff. Here Wilson Miscamble scrutinizes Kennan's subsequent influence over foreign policymaking during the crucial years from 1947 to 1950.

Having spent well over a decade at the University of Notre Dame as both a history professor and minister in the residence halls, Fr. Wilson Miscamble, C.S.C., has become well acquainted with college students, and well liked by them too. What began as talks, reflections, and homilies at the University is now presented here in a collection of essays. Keeping the Faith, Making a Difference speaks directly to the questions, issues, and interests of young adults, and does so in an easy-going, conversational style. He addresses topics such as faith and discipleship, relationships between men and women, and the importance of mission and service in the church and world.

Although the first proper Notre Dame commencement--conferring degrees on two candidates--took place in 1848, General William Tecumseh Sherman was Notre Dame's first graduation speaker with a truly national reputation. He attended Notre Dame's ceremony in 1865, just months after accepting the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnson's Confederate army. Sherman, whose sons had been students at Notre Dame, came less to give an address than to utter words of thanks for the kindness shown to his family, who had found refuge in the area during the war. When prevailed upon to speak, he offered some extemporaneous remarks, calling on Notre Dame graduates and students to "be ready at all times to perform bravely the battle of life."

"Go Forth and Do Good: Memorable Notre Dame Commencement Addresses "brings together twenty-four notable graduation speeches, ranging from the words General Sherman delivered in 1865 to President George W. Bush's remarks in 2001. Also included in this fine collection is a letter sent to 1986 graduates by Mother Teresa and Father Theodore M. Hesburgh's final charge to the graduating class of 1987. Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C., provides a delightful introduction that clarifies the importance of the selected speeches and places them in the context of the history of both Notre Dame and the world.

For Notre Dame gathers together the important contributions of a devoted Holy Cross priest to the continuing debate over the mission and identity of the University of Notre Dame. Read together, these essays and addresses by one of the most consistent and committed participants in this ongoing discussion serve to cast vital light on many of the major issues that Notre Dame has confronted in the past two decades. Fr. Bill Miscamble's spirited essays in For Notre Dame cover a range of topics and reflect his multiple roles at Notre Dame, where he has taught for a quarter century. An award-winning scholar and a noted teacher Miscamble writes thoughtfully of the place of teaching and research in Catholic universities. Crucially, he also is unafraid to explore more contentious subjects like the composition of the faculty and the responsibilities of faculty members who serve in a Catholic university like Notre Dame. Nor has he backed away from the controversies that have beset Notre Dame in recent years. In this volume a reader can learn how he courageously addressed such matters as academic freedom and The Vagina Monologues and, of course, how he protested the Notre Dame decision to honor President Barack Obama at its 2009 Commencement. Throughout this engaging volume, Miscamble's distinctive voice rings clear. His passion for Notre Dame's Catholic mission is evident on every page. Also evident is his deep concern for the moral and spiritual well-being of Notre Dame's students and his deep commitment to the priesthood and to the Congregation of Holy Cross. For Notre Dame is essential reading for all those who love Notre Dame and who are interested in its past, present, and future. It is a book that asks its readers to reflect deeply about the ongoing struggle to determine the university's present mission and its future course. Readers - including faculty, students, administrators, trustees and alumni - will surely discover through its pages how they too might stand more truly for Notre Dame.