A Lecture by Dr. Reza Aslan, a #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING Author

About the Presentation:
In 1907, Howard Baskerville, a twenty-two-year-old Christian missionary from South Dakota, traveled to Persia (modern day Iran) for a two-year stint teaching English and preaching the gospel. Little did he know that it would be political activism, and not Christianity, that would define his life and lead to his death as a martyr in a foreign land. Baskerville’s role in the Persian struggle to become an independent and democratic society made him a hero in his adopted country. Back at home in America, however, his story is not well-known, and his legacy is not celebrated. With "AN AMERICAN MARTYR IN PERSIA: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville" award-winning historian and bestselling author Reza Aslan hopes to redress this tragedy and examine what Baskerville's life and death can teach us about the current uprising in Iran.

Abuot the Speaker:
Dr. Reza Aslan is a renowned writer, commentator, professor, Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer, and scholar of religions. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce award, Aslan is the author of three internationally best-selling books that have been translated into dozens of languages around the world, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. His newest book is An American Martyr in Persia, the first biography ever written of Howard Baskerville. His producing credits include the acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers and the CBS comedy United States of Al. He is the host and Executive Producer of Rough Draft with Reza Aslan and co-host along with Rainn Wilson of the podcast Metaphysical Milkshake.