Gen. David Petraeus to discuss new book on conflict at Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay on Jan. 15

He spent nearly four decades serving his country with the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of general and leading U.S. Central Command. And if that wasn’t enough, he would lead the CIA.

David Petraeus has certainly made a difference and sparked conversation. And now he’s sharing some of that military expertise with his latest book, “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1915 to Ukraine,” that he wrote with British historian Andrew Roberts.

Petraeus joins former congressman Steve Israel — now owner of Theodore’s Books in Oyster Bay — as part of the “In Conversation With Steve Israel” series on Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m., at Congregation L’Dor V’Dor, 11 Temple Lane, Oyster Bay, cosponsored by the congregation and by Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay. The series allows Israel to sit down with various authors and discuss the writing process, inspirations and lessons that can be gleaned from their work.

The idea for the series came to Israel following his departure from Congress in 2017, viewing it as a way to bridge the political divide and provide relevant, unbiased information to patrons of Theodore’s.

“When I left Congress, I was so frustrated with a political environment that is reduced to soundbites and tweets, and wanted the bookstore’s mission to be deep conversations about contemporary challenges,” Israel said. “I just want to bring people to our community. I want to bring global leaders to our community to have meaningful dialogue.”

Israel spent considerable time with Petraeus during his congressional tenure, getting to know him while visiting American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He even brought the general to Sagamore Hill for a tour a few years ago.

What impressed Israel the most about Petraeus was how he embraced his role not just as a military leader, but as a scholar.

“I found him to be one of the most insightful and deep thinkers in the military,” Israel said. “I learned from him that I can’t understand modern-day complexities or strategic complexities without understanding history.”

The decision to host Petraeus was a natural one for Israel, thanks to that friendship.

“When I heard that he had a book about conflict, I simply emailed him,” Israel said. “Within minutes, he emailed me back, saying, ‘I’d love to come to Theodore’s.’”

The Q&A session focuses on Petraeus’s book, which delves into the changing nature of conflict over the past 70 years, offering a chance to understand the strategic imperatives that apply to contemporary challenges.

“People will learn how conflict has changed from World War II to today,” Israel said, “and how we must unite to keep the peace.”

The discussion is also expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the war in Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and tensions between China and Taiwan. Israel stressed that Petraeus’s insights would provide essential lessons for understanding these global challenges.

“What Petraeus teaches is what those imperatives are — the importance of strategic leadership, the importance of communicating a clear message to subordinates, and the constant re-evaluation of operations,” he said.

Israel commended the general’s book for offering lessons that transcend the battlefield, applying to various aspects of life, such as running a business, or maintaining the health and happiness of a family.

“In Conversation With Steve Israel” featuring Gen. David Petraeus is free, but registration is required. Visit TheodoresBooks.com/event, or call (516) 636-5550.