Robert Morgan, the Kappa Alpha Professor of English at Cornell, will discuss his nonfiction book "Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion," April 12 at 4 p.m. in Olin Library's Amit Bhatia '01 Libe Café.

The book tells the story of the annexation and settling of the American West, from Thomas Jefferson's birth in 1743 through the California Gold rush in 1849. Morgan's colorful biographical sketches profile presidents, generals, statesmen and adventurers who were leading figures in America's manifest destiny, with anecdotes and details of frontier life at the turn of the 19th century.

The book, published by Shannon Ravenel in October 2011, raises "troubling, fundamental questions about the very roots of the 'American Century' idea," writes historian Walter LaFeber, Cornell's Andrew H. and James S. Tisch Distinguished University Professor Emeritus. "This is a study of history and literature that is as pleasurable to read as it is instructive -- and with a cast of characters who are as memorable as they are deeply disturbing."

Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and Morgan will answer questions and sign books following his talk, which is presented by Cornell Library's "Chats in the Stacks" book talk series.

A native of North Carolina, Morgan has been teaching at Cornell since 1971. He has published several poetry collections including the recent "Terroir," eight works of fiction, a volume of essays and interviews, and nonfiction works. His 1999 novel "Gap Creek" and a 2007 biography of Daniel Boone were both national bestsellers.

His awards include Guggenheim and Rockefeller Foundation fellowships and a 2007 Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. He was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2010.