After witnessing the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe while on a Carleton College semester abroad program in fall 1989, Peter Thorsheim went on to earn a PhD in history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the faculty of UNC Charlotte in 2000 and has lived in Davidson since 2008. He is the author of numerous books and articles, and he has taught a popular course on Cold War film at UNC Charlotte for several years.