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Up To Date

Lasting Lessons From The Vietnam War, And Bridging Communication Gaps With Board Games

By Steve Kraske
Published October 12, 2017 at 2:33 PM CDT
Luke X. Martin
/
KCUR 89.3
"It was a war that I think America would prefer to forget," says Tim O'Brien, and the problems the Vietnam War created stretched across an ocean. "It wasn't just in Vietnam. The whole country was divided much as we were during the Civil War."

More than 40 years after the Vietnam War ended, Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried is still helping Kansas City readers understand the nature of conflict. Today, we speak with O'Brien, a veteran of the conflict who served as an advisor for the PBS series The Vietnam War. Then, if you think the only board games out there are Risk or Candyland, think again! We learn how modern Euro-style board games can help people communicate better, while having a bit of fun in the bargain.

Tim O'Brien will discuss 'The Things They Carried' as part of Big Read KC at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 12. The event is sold out, but livestreaming options can be found at KCLibrary.org. 

Denise Dias will host Bonding with Board Games at the K-State Research and Extension office in Olathe at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 3. For more information, visit Johnson.K-State.edu.

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Up To Date Talk ShowfamilyrelationshipsVietnam WarBooksKansas City Public Libraryhistoryveterans
Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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