Woodrow Wilson House presents a conversation with author, former career CIA and professor of political psychology Dr. Jerrold Post on Friday, April 23 at 12:30 PM on the topic of “When Illness Strikes the Leader.” Join us as we get inside the minds of great and ailing leaders of the 20th century, examine concealed illnesses, the impact of terminal illness on decision-making, and the impact of substance abuse when the high and mighty become “mighty high.” Among the leaders Dr. Post will be discussing are Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Mao Zedong, the Shah of Iran, and Menachem Begin.

This program is open to the public in conjunction with the current exhibition “My Third Leg”: Woodrow Wilson’s Walking Sticks, which showcases a selection of 50 of President Wilson’s most prized walking sticks and addresses President Wilson’s own struggle with illness and disability. Join us at 11 AM for a special tour of the exhibition with Curator John Powell and lunch with Executive Director Frank Aucella behind-the-scenes at 11:45 AM. Following the talk Dr. Post will be signing copies of his book, "When Illness Strikes the Leader: The Dilemma of the Captive King," which will be available for purchase.