Spectator Out Loud: Loyd Grossman, Tanya Gold, Harry Halem, Angus Colwell, Philippe Sands and Michael Simmons

Feb 1, 2025

Guest

Philippe Sands

Guest

Loyd Grossman, a cultural figure and heritage advocate, passionately pleads for the preservation of Britain's cathedrals. Harry Halem warns that the country is ill-prepared for AI warfare in light of recent defense reviews. Philosophy meets personal life as Angus Colwell interviews Agnes Callard about her unconventional lifestyle. Philippe Sands examines the challenges of the international criminal justice system in his review of Steve Crawshaw's book, highlighting its foundational issues while defending its purpose.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Strings of Nostalgia and Cultural Shifts

01:34 • 6min

Aristocracy and Anti-Semitism: The Mitford Sisters' Legacy

07:49 • 5min

UK Defense Strategy: Navigating Modern Warfare Challenges

12:43 • 12min

Reimagining Relationships

24:26 • 7min

The Evolution of International Criminal Justice

31:04 • 14min

Aspiration

Agnes Callard

Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life

Agnes Callard

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy

Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century. The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg. The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate. Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life. The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition[2][4][5].

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[3][4][5].

Madam War Criminal

Null

Olivera Simic

A history of scandal

Null

Roger Wilkes

Prosecuting the Powerful

War Crimes and the Battle for Justice

Steve Crawshaw

East West Street

On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

Philippe Sands

This book by Philippe Sands delves into the lives and work of two Jewish lawyers, Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin, who were instrumental in creating the legal concepts of crimes against humanity and genocide. The narrative intertwines their personal and intellectual journeys with Sands' own family history, connecting the development of human rights law to the aftermath of the Second World War. It is a blend of history, human rights theory, and autobiographical elements, offering a profound and gripping account of the origins of international criminal law.