

Timothy Egan on Extremism and Fear
Apr 12, 2023
Timothy Egan, a renowned American author and journalist known for his award-winning works like *The Worst Hard Time*, discusses his latest book, *A Fever in the Heartland*. He uncovers the historical rise of the Ku Klux Klan and a woman's pivotal role in combating extremism. The conversation explores the intertwining of politics and white supremacy, and the misconceptions surrounding it. Egan shares insights on how to effectively teach American history while addressing the cyclical nature of extremism and the necessity of understanding these patterns for societal progress.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Authenticity
- Everyone has a public and private face, regardless of their status.
- The challenge lies in finding the authentic core beneath the surface.
Recurring Themes in History
- Recurring themes in history, like racism and social unrest, persist across time.
- Despite societal progress, these negative aspects of human nature resurface.
KKK's Americanism
- The KKK's rise in the 1920s stemmed from its association with Americanism, not overt hatred.
- This normalization helped them gain widespread acceptance and political power.