Morning Meeting Episode 265: Secret Italy—Villages Lost in Time
Oct 11, 2025
This week, Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris shares his complex feelings about Robert McNamara, discussing their intriguing collaboration on The Fog of War. He reveals insights into McNamara's wartime decisions and explores themes of forgiveness and moral responsibility. Meanwhile, writer Harry Mount reminisces about Jilly Cooper, her journey from journalism to bestselling novels, and her lasting impact on British society. Mount's personal anecdotes highlight Cooper's humor and charm, making for an engaging tribute to a cultural icon.
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Jilly Cooper's Rise From Reporter To Novelist
- Jilly Cooper rose from local reporting to become a bestselling novelist and social chronicler of Gloucestershire life.
- Harry Mount recalled her sharp eye for comic and sexual detail that fueled both columns and the Ruritanian-style novels.
Class Portrayal That Transcended Class Lines
- Jilly Cooper wrote largely about upper-class life but appealed across British classes because she captured universal human behavior.
- Her empathy and comic acuity made her work relatable beyond the horsey milieu she depicted.
Dinner-Party Wit And Unfiltered Questions
- Harry Mount described dinner-party moments that showcased Jilly Cooper's bracing conversational instincts and comic timing.
- He recalled her direct, teasing questions that immediately lightened and charged a room.
