Born January 31, 1924, John Lukacs remains one of the few individuals to live a pre-World War Two life. For this reason, he generated a sense of admiration and wonder in my eyes. Even before I read his literature and listened to his lectures, his age and experiences created instant credibility. Thus, despite Dr. Lukac's telling arguments on the end of the modern age, his April 8th visit to UofL proved clouded by my desire to inquire about pre-World War Two society.
The last American veteran of World War One died on February 28, 2011. The death symbolized the end of a citizenry that knew the world before American dominance. Indeed, time existed before McDonald's, Wal-Mart, and Hollywood. Yet, the death and the little attention it received also symbolized the lack of care our generation has for history, especially history before our superpower status.
Though I had much to ask concerning Dr. Lukac's conclusions on communication, I could not rid myself of the desire to question him about his earliest memories. Luckily he responded to my query and portrayed a much more independent, nationalistic world than today. Certainly Wendell Berry took pride in this response, as the Kentucky author has argued for liberty through agrarianism for years. I, however, was simply entranced by an articulate response from a man of another era. May the history he sought to tell and the legacy he created dwell in those who were lucky enough to visit with him.