About this Event
Joseph Hooker is remembered in history as a complex and highly controversial military figure. Understanding his past helps explain his future and his decisions. Before gaining national fame as the commander of the Union's famous Army of the Potomac, he faced both professional and personal struggles in Sonoma Valley, many of which he caused himself. During his time in Sonoma, his well-known ego, brashness, and questionable dealings led to a series of costly mistakes that would follow him into the Civil War.
Join us for a fascinating presentation by author Travis P. Wagner. He will share new information on "Fighting Joe" Hooker's turbulent years in Sonoma Valley. His talk will explore the complex man behind the myth. It will cover his time as a military officer, a high-stakes gambler, and a struggling frontier farmer, before he achieved fame in the Civil War.
Travis P. Wagner is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern Maine. He earned his Ph.D. from The George Washington University. Dr. Wagner has written numerous articles on the history of American industry, environmental policy, and technology. His eighth book, Military Honor on Trial: The Saga of Joseph Hooker and George H. Derby, was published by Sequoia Grove Press in August.
There will be a reception at 6:30pm before the presentation
Event venue & nearby stays
Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma, United States
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