People I (Mostly) Admire 62. How Does Historian Brad Gregory Make a Boring Topic So Mind-Blowing?
Feb 12, 2022
Brad Gregory, a Notre Dame history professor and Reformation expert, joins the conversation to reveal how to make history captivating. He discusses the disconnect between historians and economists, emphasizing the importance of narrative in making historical events relatable. Gregory also explores Martin Luther's lasting influence on modern society and how themes of strategy in sports can mirror historical transformations. With humor, he connects the pursuit of a meaningful life with deeper human connections beyond mere self-interest.
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Bringing History to Life
- History becomes dry when reduced to facts and figures.
- Good historians evoke the lived reality of individuals, making the past relatable.
The Unexpectedly Captivating Job Talk
- Steve Levitt dreaded attending Brad Gregory's job talk on Christian martyrs.
- Gregory's engaging storytelling captivated Levitt, changing his view on academic communication.
A Fish Out of Water
- Steve Levitt felt out of place at the Society of Fellows, surrounded by scholars fluent in Greek.
- He recalls a conversation where a pun in Greek was made, highlighting the intellectual depth of the group.
