Join the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs and Books & Books for a conversation with journalist and award-winning author Nicholas Griffin about his recent book, “The Year of Dangerous Days.” A fascinating chronicle of a pivotal year in Miami’s history, the book explores the dramatic and transformative events of 1980. Miami is plunged into chaos as it experienced one of one of the worst race riots in American history, while more than 120,000 Cuban refugees arrived during the Mariel boat lift, and drug cartels flooded the city with cocaine and infiltrated all levels of law enforcement. Deeply researched and covering many timely issues including police brutality, immigration, and the drug crisis, “The Year of Dangerous Days” is both a clarion call and a re-creation story of one of America’s most iconic cities. Griffin will be joined by FIU Associate Professor Valerie L. Patterson and Miami attorney and former city attorney George F. Knox.

Panelists:

Nicholas Griffin is a journalist, author and previous term member at the Council on Foreign Relations. His writing has appeared in The Times (UK), The Financial Times, Foreign Policy, and other publications on topics as disparate as sports and politics, piracy, filmmaking in the Middle East, and the natural sciences.  

Valerie Patterson, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor in the public policy and administration program at Florida International University. She serves as affiliated faculty with FIU’s Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and FIU’s African & African Diaspora Studies program. Her research and publications address the impact of values on administrative ethics, truth, and honesty; race and government; and human resource policy issues.

George F. Knox served as Miami’s city attorney between 1976 and 1982 before entering private practice. He also served as a visiting faculty member at the Florida International University College of Law, teaching courses in negotiation and mediation. He currently maintains a private mediation practice that features relationship-building negotiation techniques.

Co-sponsored by:

Books & Books 
Ruth K. and Shepard Broad Distinguished Lecture Series

This event is free and open to the public.