This book examines how contemporary American artists, such as Childish Gambino, Laurie Anderson, Beyoncé, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, incorporate gestures of resistance into their works, challenging societal norms and advocating for social justice. It delves into the intersection of race, gender, and politics in American music.
In 'If Then', Jill Lepore delves into the story of the Simulmatics Corporation, a company founded in 1959 that aimed to predict and control human behavior through data analysis. The book explores how Simulmatics' work laid the groundwork for modern predictive analytics and behavioral data science, influencing politics and technology decades later. Lepore's narrative weaves together the company's history with broader themes of Cold War America, technological innovation, and societal change.
American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses is a pivotal abolitionist text compiled by Theodore Dwight Weld and the Grimké sisters. It presents a detailed and graphic portrayal of the inhumane treatment of slaves in the United States during the 1830s, drawing from over 20,000 Southern newspaper articles and personal accounts. The book had a profound impact on the anti-slavery movement, influencing works like Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.
The Secret History of Wonder Woman delves into the fascinating family story and historical context behind the creation of one of the world's most iconic superheroes. Jill Lepore uncovers the intriguing life of William Moulton Marston, who was influenced by early suffragists and feminists, and explores how Wonder Woman became a symbol of female empowerment linked to the women's liberation movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
In this ambitious one-volume history, Jill Lepore examines the origins and rise of the United States, focusing on the core ideas of political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The book spans over five centuries, from 1492 to the present, and delves into various themes such as the legacy of slavery, the persistence of inequality, and the impact of technological change. Lepore's narrative is characterized by its elegant prose and comprehensive coverage of American politics, law, journalism, and technology, highlighting both well-known and lesser-known figures in American history[2][5][3].
American historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about her new podcast, The Last Archive, which investigates "who killed truth?" in the style of a true-crime show. Lepore discusses why the protests against systemic police violence represent America "at our very best," but explains why the two main competing theories of American history are both wrong — and how it should be taught and studied instead. She also talks about the history of technologies, from photography to social media, that have been the subject of a political "fantasy" and previews her upcoming book about Simulmatics, "the Cambridge Analytica of the Cold War." Plus: What would Lepore do if she were a historian in the future trying to understand 2020?
Featuring:
Jill Lepore, professor of American history at Harvard University and host, The Last Archive
Host:
Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large
More to explore:
On Reset, Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why — and how — tech is changing everything.
On Recode Media, Peter Kafka interviews business titans, journalists, comedians and podcasters about the collision of tech and media.
On Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway talk about the big tech news stories of the week, who's winning, who's failing, and what comes next.
And on Land of the Giants, Jason Del Rey chronicled the rise of Amazon. Season 2 will focus on Netflix and is coming soon!
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Decoder with Nilay Patel 
