Fall 2009 Conversations

Philip Taubman
Consulting Professor at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC)

Philip Taubman is author of Secret Empire: Eisenhower, the CIA, and the Hidden Story of America's Space Espionage. He is currently working on a book project about nuclear threats and the joint effort of Sid Drell, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, Bill Perry and George Shultz to reduce nuclear dangers. Professor Taubman worked at the New York Times as a reporter and editor for nearly 30 years, specializing in national security issues, including intelligence and defense policies and operations. At the Times, Taubman served as a Washington correspondent, Moscow bureau chief, deputy editorial page editor, Washington bureau chief and associate editor.

Taubman was a history major at Stanford, Class of 1970, and served as editor-in-chief of the Stanford Daily in 1969. Before joining the New York Times, he worked as a correspondent for Time magazine and was sports editor of Esquire.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7 p.m.
Terrace Room [Note Special Location]
4th Floor of Margaret Jack Hall

Join Hilton Obenzinger, Associate Director for Honors and Advanced Writing, Hume Writing Center, in conversations on the techniques, quirks, and joys of advanced writers producing work in all fields and genres.

Sponsored by the Hume Writing Center, Undergraduate Advising and Research, and the Program in Continuing Studies

For previous How I Write Conversations go to Stanford on i-Tunes, link Arts and Humanities, and open the How I Write icon on the Featured Contributors

"How I Write" is a series of conversations with faculty and other advanced writers to explore the nuts and bolts, pleasures and pains, of all types of writing. While content is always an issue, the conversation will primarily focus on work styles, such as where, when, and how a writer composes, allowing us to examine habits, idiosyncrasies, techniques, trade secrets, hidden anxieties, and delights. We will discuss how a writer generates ideas, sustains large-scale projects, combines research with composition, overcomes various impediments and blocks, and cultivates stylistic innovations. Writing communities share experiences (even bad ones), so that all writers can learn and grow and Stanford is an exceptionally rich community for gaining such insights.