Roald Dahl: Genius and Bigot

The WWII Novel That Explains America

In this special episode, Shilo Brooks is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jon Meacham at the Jack Miller Center’s annual summit on civic education.  They took the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the perfect setting for a discussion about one of Meacham’s favorite books: The Winds of War [https://bookshop.org/a/93116/9780316952668]. Written by Herman Wouk and published in 1971, The Winds of War is an epic historical novel that follows an American family through the tumult of World War II.  In their smart, often funny, and deeply moving conversation, Meacham also reflects on why World War II was such a pivotal moment in shaping the unique American identity; the other essential books, events, and moments every citizen should know about to better understand America; and the differences between patriotism and nationalism.  At a moment when our politics feel so fractured, studying history reminds us of an enduring truth: Ordinary people can rise to extraordinary challenges. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org [http://jackmillercenter.org]. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here [https://www.thefp.com/subscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=OS] to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Agatha Christie and the Kidnapping That Inspired Her Greatest Mystery

In this episode, Shilo sits down with veteran journalist Joe Nocera for a deep dive into the world’s best-selling novelist, Agatha Christie.  Nocera’s new investigative podcast is all about the Charles Lindbergh, Jr., kidnapping [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lindbergh-conspiracies/id1896345032], one of history’s most infamous crimes, and a key inspiration behind Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.  They dig into why mystery fiction matters so deeply, the puzzle-like satisfaction of solving the crime, the bloodless elegance of Christie’s plots, and the rare comfort of a story that always resolves with true justice. They break down how Christie drew directly from the Lindbergh kidnapping to craft her most famous work and examine what the Lindbergh case reveals about a society so hungry for retribution that it may have sent the wrong man to the electric chair. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org [http://jackmillercenter.org]. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here [https://www.thefp.com/subscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=OS] to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Inside the Supreme Court with Amy Coney Barrett

In this special episode, taped live at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Shilo sits down with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett for a wide-ranging interview on the law.  They discuss Barrett’s lifelong love of reading, her tumultuous confirmation process, the Constitution and what it should take to amend it, how she approaches cases where her interpretation of the law differs from her personal beliefs, why the Court is not the hyper-partisan institution that people think it is, and much more.  It’s a thoughtful conversation that offers a more nuanced look at the highest court in the land.  Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org [http://jackmillercenter.org]. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here [https://www.thefp.com/subscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=OS] to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

A New Series From The Free Press | The Lindbergh Conspiracies

Hi Old School listeners! Veteran reporter Joe Nocera has launched a six part series about the Lindbergh kidnapping. Enjoy episode one here and then head on over to ⁠The Lindbergh Conspiracies⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lindbergh-conspiracies/id1896345032] feed for the rest of the season. Joe will be joining me next week to discuss Agatha Christie and how she was inspired by this very case. --- EP01 | The Broken Window One night in March 1932, the infant son of aviator Charles Lindbergh is taken from his nursery. A warped window, a ladder, and a ransom note mark the beginning of a case that will grip the world and launch a hundred conspiracy theories. Ninety-four years later, we return to the scene of the crime to ask: What really happened that night? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Roald Dahl: Genius and Bigot

For tickets to our live recording with Jon Meacham in Philadelphia, click here [https://jackmillercenter.swoogo.com/teachforfreedom250] and register. Use code TFP for a 20 percent discount.  Roald Dahl gave the world Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He was also a vicious antisemite. A Broadway play about Dahl’s legacy; the new Michael Jackson biopic; Kanye West’s attempted redemption arc; all of these have the culture asking again: How do we approach brilliant art produced by morally compromised artists? Throughout history, some of the world’s preeminent literary geniuses have also been deeply bigoted, even monstrous people. In this episode, Shilo is joined by Eli Lake, host of Breaking History, for a conversation about these geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer, and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org [http://jackmillercenter.org]. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here [https://www.thefp.com/subscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=OS] to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]