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How can history and literature help us make sense of the current turmoil we encounter in the world? We're joined by two US writers whose work is helping readers rethink their understanding of the American Civil War period and drawing new links with the polarised politics of the present day. Sarah Churchwell is author of The Wrath to Come, an analysis of the history and legacy of Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel Gone With the Wind. She is also Professor of American Literature and Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study at University of London. Karen Joy Fowler is the New York Times bestselling author, whose latest novel is Booth, focusing on the story of John Wilkes Booth, the man who would eventually assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Host of today's discussion is Intelligence Squared's Conor Boyle.

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