Simon Sebag Montefiore, a renowned historian focused on Russian and Middle Eastern history, joins Sam Harris to discuss pressing geopolitical issues. They explore the unsettling parallels between history and today's events, especially post-9/11. Montefiore sheds light on the significance of Jerusalem and the interplay between faith and conflict. The conversation also addresses the fragility of liberal democracies in light of rising global antisemitism and internal crises, urging a deeper understanding of historical patterns and their contemporary relevance.
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insights INSIGHT
Historian's Perspective
Sam Harris and Simon Sebag Montefiore discuss the relevance of history to current events.
Montefiore, a historian, says he constantly sees the world through a historical lens.
insights INSIGHT
Post-War Stability
The period from World War II to 9/11 was unusually stable, with shared global views and respect for international law.
This stability, however, masked underlying issues and a resurgence of religious fervor.
insights INSIGHT
Fall of Societies
Ibn Khaldun theorized that societies fall due to loss of social cohesion, not military defeat.
Democracies face internal crises of confidence and entitlement, impacting their ability to act decisively.
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In 'The End of Days,' Gershom Gorenberg examines the complex and volatile situation surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The book delves into the historical, religious, and political contexts that fuel the ongoing struggle for control of this sacred site. Gorenberg analyzes the roles of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian fundamentalists and their impact on the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Stalin
The Court of the Red Tsar
Simon Sebag Montefiore
This biography transforms our understanding of Stalin as Soviet dictator, Marxist leader, and Russian tsar. Based on groundbreaking research, Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals the daily life, family relationships, and the brutal cruelty of Stalin's secret world. The book is praised for its elegant prose, rich detail, and the author's ability to humanize Stalin while highlighting his brutal and chilling nature. It is a masterful and terrifying account that has become a classic of modern history writing.
JERUSALEM
The Biography
Simon Sebag Montefiore
This book chronicles the 3,000-year history of Jerusalem, from King David's establishment of the city as his capital to the modern-day conflicts. Montefiore brings to life the city's many incarnations through the stories of its rulers, conquerors, prophets, and ordinary inhabitants. The narrative spans various epochs, including the periods of Jewish kings, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Arab, Crusader, and Ottoman rule. The book draws on extensive research, including new archives, current scholarship, and the author's own family history, to provide a balanced and detailed account of Jerusalem's complex and often tumultuous history.
Sam Harris speaks with Simon Sebag Montefiore about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the history of the Jews, and the rise of global antisemitism.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
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