March 1, 2024
In his 2007 book “Masters of the Air,” Professor Donald L. Miller chronicles the riveting history of the American Eighth Air Force in World War II, and the story of the young men who flew the bombers that helped bring Nazi Germany to its knees.
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The book is the inspiration for the currently streaming Apple TV+ miniseries produced by Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and recently appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Dr. Miller will share insights on the book and the miniseries when he visits OU’s campus at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms.
His talk is the final installment in Oakland University’s 2023-24 History Comes Alive Series, which is offered by OU’s Department of History and endowed by John and Annette Carter.
"Don Miller is as big as they come, and we are grateful that (National WWII Museum Board member) Mike Bylen generously made this possible,” said Associate Professor and OU History Department Chair James Naus.
Dr. Miller is the John Henry MacCracken Emeritus Professor of History at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and one of the most respected authorities on World War II, the Civil War and Modern U.S. History. He has authored 10 books, many of which have been nominated for and won prestigious literary awards.
Dr. Miller is also a frequent consultant and adviser on historical productions for PBS, HBO, The History Channel and Apple Productions. He previously worked with Spielberg and Hanks as a historical consultant for the 10-part HBO series “The Pacific” and was the on-camera historian, writer, and chief consultant for the series’ accompanying documentary.
Additionally, Dr. Miller served as coproducer and cocreator, with Hanks, on “He Has Seen War,” an HBO documentary on World War II troops returning home. His other World War II books are “D-Days in the Pacific” (2004) and “The Story of World War II” (2001).
The event is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the Department of History at (248) 370-3510 or [email protected].