Skylark Bookshop Hosts Discussion on Blood and Politics
The Columbia event explored the work of author Leonard Zeskind and his research on nationalist movements.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Books
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Skylark Bookshop in Columbia hosted a discussion on Tuesday evening regarding the book Blood and Politics by the late Leonard Zeskind. The panel examined the extensive documentation of white nationalist movements presented in the 500-page work.
Why it matters
The event was organized to fulfill community needs for education and curiosity regarding the history of the white nationalist movement. It provided a platform to reflect on the findings in the book following recent news surrounding its temporary removal from the U.S. Naval Academy library.
The discussion centered on the 500-page book first published in 2009. The work covers four decades of movement growth and was the focus of a panel featuring a 46-year partnership history between Zeskind and Smith.
The players
Leonard Zeskind
He was an author and activist who founded the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights in 1983.
Carol Smith
She is a longtime research partner of Leonard Zeskind with a professional relationship spanning 46 years.
Chuck Tanner
He served as a panelist during the book discussion event at Skylark Bookshop.
Devin Burghart
He participated as a panelist to discuss the contents of the book Blood and Politics.
Rhonda Perry
She acted as the moderator for the panel discussion held in Columbia.
The details
Moderated by Rhonda Perry, the panel featured Carol Smith, Chuck Tanner, and Devin Burghart. The discussion analyzed Zeskind's long-standing research conducted through the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, which he founded in 1983.
Timeline
1983: Leonard Zeskind founded the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights.
2009: Blood and Politics was first published.
April 2025: Leonard Zeskind died and the book was removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library.
May 2025: The book was returned to the U.S. Naval Academy library.
October 20, 2026: Skylark Bookshop hosted the discussion event.
Industry Dynamics
The event highlights public interest in Zeskind's work following the U.S. Naval Academy's removal and return of Blood and Politics. This discussion reflects broader cultural trends where local community spaces engage with academic texts to address historical controversies.
The event allowed local residents to engage directly with experts on Zeskind's research through a moderated panel format. Attendees were able to purchase or consult the 500-page text to better understand the movement history documented in the book.
The takeaway
Zeskind's work serves as a comprehensive record of four decades of political history for those interested in nationalist movements. Readers can better understand the current landscape by reviewing the documentation provided in the 500-page text.
Further reading
For more literary analysis and local author events, visit the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMU 8.
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