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Viewer Mail: War & Peace, Reading & Writing, Why Babies Are Good, and Thanksgiving Memories | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

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Nov 26, 2025

The discussion dives into the evolving situation in Ukraine, contemplating potential peace settlements and America's strategies against China's rising economy. Climate concerns spark conversations about parenting, while heated debates on historical fascism and civil-military relations bring relevance to today's issues. Light-hearted anecdotes about family nicknames and Thanksgiving traditions balance the tone, as the panelists reflect on their reading habits and influential works that shaped their lives. It's a mix of profound insights and personal stories.

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INSIGHT

Compromise Over Appeasement In Ukraine

Sir Niall Ferguson argues the Trump-Putin 28-point plan is a negotiated compromise, not a 1930s-style appeasement or partition.
He sees concessions like NATO-like guarantees and reconstruction funding as signs the war may be nearing a negotiated end.

insights

INSIGHT

Peace May Be Paper, Not Reality

LTG H.R. McMaster predicts no durable peace in 2026 because Russia will continue aggression below threshold and via subversion.
He warns peace may be a signed document while hostilities persist in other forms.

insights

INSIGHT

China's Growth Lacks Long-Term Foundation

John Cochrane and Sir Niall Ferguson both argue China's economic model lacks sustainable foundations tied to political repression.
They predict demographic collapse, debt strains, and slowed growth within a decade without political and property rights reforms.

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Is the Trump‑Putin Ukraine Plan Appeasement?

01:08 • 4min

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Will There Be Peace in Ukraine in 2026?

04:47 • 5min

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Free Minds, Free Markets and China's Example

10:08 • 2min

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Answering Climate‑driven Childlessness

12:29 • 2min

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Misusing 'Fascism' and 'Antifa' Today

14:43 • 5min

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Sedition, Civil‑Military Relations, and Illegal Orders

H.R.'s Nickname and Personal Anecdotes

24:24 • 2min

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Is There an 'Ideal' Interest Rate?

25:54 • 2min

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Artist Behind John Cochrane's Portraits

27:50 • 2min

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China: Economic Power, Military Ambitions, and U.S. Response

29:21 • 3min

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How the U.S. Should Maintain Advantage Over China

32:27 • 2min

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Did Christianity Change My History Approach?

34:18 • 2min

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Reading Habits and Influential Books

36:39 • 6min

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How Long to Write an Op‑Ed and the Writing Process

42:09 • 5min

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Was I Right About Brexit's Costs?

47:37 • 1min

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Are We Too Pessimistic About America's Future?

49:00 • 2min

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Skilled Trades, Vocational Education, and Shop Class

50:47 • 4min

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Reflections on COVID Vaccines and Policy Missteps

54:54 • 1min

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Thanksgiving Memories and Traditions

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Battle Cry of Freedom

The Civil War Era

James McPherson

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era is a detailed historical account by James M. McPherson, spanning two decades from the Mexican-American War to the end of the Civil War at Appomattox. The book integrates political, social, and military events, providing a thorough analysis of the pre-war period and the Civil War itself. McPherson examines the multiple interpretations of freedom held by both the North and South, highlighting how these differing views led to the conflict. The book is part of the Oxford History of the United States series and is praised for its fluid writing style, use of anecdotes, and comprehensive coverage of the period, including significant events like the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.

#534

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

The War of the World

Niall Ferguson

#18556

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

War in European history

Sir Michael Howard

#19256

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The war of American independence

Don Higginbotham

This book provides a detailed analysis of the military dimensions of the American Revolution, delving into the political, economic, and social factors that influenced the conflict. It remains a seminal work in the field of American military history, offering insights into how war shaped American society during this period.

#23448

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 92 episodes

The road to serfdom

Friedrich Von Hayek

In this influential book, Hayek argues that the abandonment of individualism and classical liberalism leads to a loss of freedom, the creation of an oppressive society, and ultimately, the tyranny of a dictator. He challenges the view that fascism and Nazism are capitalist reactions against socialism, instead positing that these ideologies share common roots in central economic planning and the empowerment of the state over the individual. The book emphasizes the dangers of collectivism and the importance of maintaining a free market system to preserve human freedom and dignity.

#73

• Mentioned in 175 episodes

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.

#25390

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

A world at arms

Gerhard L. Weinberg

A World at Arms provides a detailed and global account of World War II, examining the actions of the Axis, Allies, and Neutrals across six continents. It offers insights into how events in one part of the world influenced others, making it a seminal work in understanding the global nature of the conflict. The book covers strategic decisions, military campaigns, and the ideological frameworks that drove the war.

#4660

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Why I'm Not a Christian

Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell's "Why I Am Not a Christian" is a collection of essays and lectures expressing his philosophical and ethical reasons for rejecting Christianity. Russell, a prominent 20th-century philosopher, argues against the existence of God and critiques various aspects of Christian theology and morality. The book is known for its clear and concise arguments, its intellectual rigor, and its influence on secular thought. Russell's work has been both praised and criticized for its challenging perspective on religion and its impact on the development of secular humanism. It remains a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the relationship between reason, faith, and morality.

#9359

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Arsenal of democracy

Burnham Finney

Published in 1941, 'Arsenal of Democracy' by Burnham Finney is a work that aims to prepare the American public for the impending involvement in World War II. The book emphasizes the importance of the United States as a democratic power and its role in global affairs during a time of great turmoil. It provides insights into the political, social, and economic context of the era and serves as a call to action for American citizens.

• Mentioned in 1,367 episodes

1984

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Is the bitter war in Ukraine soon to wind down now that a peace settlement is being negotiated (think a Panmunjom-style compromise, not Munich-style appeasement), and how should America prepare for economic and military parity with China? In an episode devoted solely to viewers’ questions, Hoover senior fellows Sir Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster delve into matters ranging from those somber (allaying twenty-somethings’ climate alarmism, “ideal” interest rates, the future of tank warfare as well as AI’s redesign of future workforces) to those more lighthearted (H.R.’s service nickname, the artist behind John’s wall hangings, and how the fellows would ride out a future pandemic). Finally, on the eve of America’s Thanksgiving holiday, the fellows count their blessings – especially “Papa” Ferguson, who recently joined John (aka, “Blah-Blah” to his grandchildren) and H.R. (likewise, his grandkids’ “Papa”) as a first-time grandfather.

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