Scholar slates talk on New Jersey history

   "There’s More to New Jersey Than the Sopranos" will be topic of a talk Sept. 18 by Dr. Marc Mappen, formerly associate dean at Rutgers University and currently executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
   The talk, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Princeton Public Library. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. The meeting is free and open to the public.
   Dr. Mappen is co-editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of New Jersey. He is the author of "Jerseyana: The Underside of New Jersey," and of "Murder and Spies, Lovers and Lies: Settling the Great Controversies of American History."
   Dr. Mappen is known for both his scholarly work on New Jersey history and his efforts to promote public understanding of New Jersey’s heritage.
   Dr. Mappen, who holds a doctorate in American history from Rutgers, has written articles, taught classes, given lectures and broadcast radio commentary on a wide variety of topics concerning New Jersey history. He has been a featured commentator in the award-winning radio series "New Jersey Times," broadcast on 26 radio stations around the state.
   In 1995, Gov. Christie Whitman appointed him to the Task Force on New Jersey History. He has twice been presented with the New Jersey Historical Commission’s Award of Recognition.
   The League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government; works to increase understanding of major policy issues; and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
   For additional information, call Frieda Gilvarg at (609) 924-7018, Nancy Porter at (609) 924-6384 or Linda Sipprelle at (609) 497-0740.