Avid Bookshop, UGA’s Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, and the Athens Historical Society will co-sponsored a Zoom conversation between Claudio Saunt, Richard B. Russell Professor in American History at UGA, and Professor Nicholas Allen, Director of the Willson Center for Humanities. Professor Saunt will be discussing his book, Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory (W.W. Norton & Co, 2020), which is a finalist for the National Book Award.

In May 1830, the United States formally launched a policy to expel Native Americans from the East to territories west of the Mississippi River. Unworthy Republic reveals how expulsion became national policy and describes the chaotic and deadly results of the operation to deport 80,000 men, women and children. It was selected as one of five finalists for the National Book Award in nonfiction from among more than 600 books submitted for consideration. The winner of the award will be announced Nov. 18. Saunt’s book can be ordered at www.avidbookshop.com.