The Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (CREEES) and the Hoover Institution Library & Archives co-sponsor a presentation by Bertrand Patenaude, curator of the latest exhibition from the Library & Archives, Bread + Medicine: Saving Lives in a Time of Famine, which brings to light an American rescue operation during the catastrophic famine in Soviet Russia and Ukraine a century ago. Through photographs and archival material, viewers discover the medical plight of those suffering from starvation and meet the American doctors and local medical teams who worked together to prevent a potentially devastating spread of disease. 

In his talk, Patenaude will discuss the background and organization of the American medical relief efforts and give a virtual tour of exhibition highlights.  The event will be held in person at Encina Commons 123 on Friday, October 21, 2022, from 12 pm to 1 pm PT. It is currently open to Stanford Affiliates.

RSVP is required.

Participant Bios

Sheldon-Garon

Bertrand Patenaude is a research fellow and the instructional and outreach archivist at the Hoover Institution Library & Archives and a lecturer in History and International Relations at Stanford University.  His most recent book is Defining Moments, published by the Hoover Institution Press in 2019. He is also the author of Trotsky: Downfall of a Revolutionary, published by HarperCollins in 2009, and A Wealth of Ideas: Revelations from the Hoover Institution Archives (Stanford University Press, 2006). Among his important discoveries in the Hoover Archives is a 1922 Russian-language book manuscript by the Moscow economist Lev Litoshenko. Patenaude taught for eight years (1992–2000) in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where his outstanding performance as a classroom instructor was recognized with the Schieffelin Award for Teaching Excellence for two consecutive years, 1998 and 1999.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, June 11, 2026
America, War And The World: Applying History To Contemporary Strategic Challenges
Join Hoover Fellow Sir Niall Ferguson in conversation with Griffin Fellows, Tyler Goodspeed, Nick Lambert, Luke Nichter, Manny Rincon-Cruz, and Ziyi…
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Choosing Freedom: Lives That Defied Tyranny
Choosing Freedom: Lives That Defied Tyranny
Uncover personal stories of courage in the pursuit of freedom in a new exhibition from the Hoover Institution Library & Archives Lou Henry Hoover Gallery, Hoover Tower
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Choosing Freedom: Courage, Exile, and the Human Pursuit of Liberty
Choosing Freedom: Courage, Exile, And The Human Pursuit Of Liberty
The Hoover Institution invites you to a special evening marking the opening of a new exhibition from the Hoover Library & Archives and the next… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
overlay image