A Life in Biography

Herman Melville, Lewis Mumford, and the Biographical Quest

Aug 20, 2022
Guest
Aaron Sachs
Author Aaron Sachs discusses his book on Herman Melville and Lewis Mumford, exploring the influence of Melville on William Faulkner, the complexities of empathy in biography writing, the power of storytelling in finding meaning in dark times, and the theme of alienation in Melville's works.
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Episode notes
1
Introduction
00:00 • 3min
2
The Influence of Herman Melville on William Faulkner
03:04 • 21min
3
Empathy, Wives, and Ethical Dilemmas: Reflections on Biography Writing
23:50 • 13min
4
Exploring Dark Times and the Relevance of History
37:10 • 3min
5
The Meaning of Catastrophic Losses and the Uplifting Power of Moby Dick
40:28 • 3min
6
Exploring Herman Melville's Life and the Theme of Alienation
43:07 • 2min
7
Exploring the Neglected Work and Critique in 'Israel Potter' by Herman Melville
45:07 • 4min