Danzy Senna's "Caucasia" is a coming-of-age story centered on biracial sisters, Birdie and Cole, navigating their complex identities in the backdrop of 1970s America. The novel delves into themes of race, class, and family dynamics as the sisters experience the social and political turmoil of the era. Their mother's involvement in radical activism adds another layer of complexity to their lives. The narrative explores the challenges of racial ambiguity and the search for belonging. Senna's powerful prose and compelling characters create a moving and thought-provoking read.
Imperium is a narrative that spans several decades, beginning with Kapuściński's childhood memories of the Soviet occupation of Poland in the late 1930s. The book follows his journeys across the Soviet Union, including his travels on the Trans-Siberian Railway and through the Central Asian and Caucasus republics. Kapuściński describes the brutal measures used by the Soviet regime, the psychological effects on the people, and the eventual collapse of the empire. He reflects on the post-colonial sociology of the regions, the rise of nationalist sentiment, and the complexities of decolonization. The book is a poignant and evocative account of life within the Soviet Union, highlighting both the horrors and the resilience of its people[2][3][5].
Set in 1964 in a world where the Axis powers won World War II, 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris is an alternative history detective novel. The story follows Xavier March, a detective in the Kriminalpolizei (Kripo), as he investigates the murder of Josef Bühler, a high-ranking Nazi official involved in the Wannsee Conference. As March delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy involving senior Nazi Party officials and discovers evidence of the Holocaust. The novel explores the dark and oppressive atmosphere of a totalitarian Nazi regime and the personal risks March and his American journalist ally, Charlotte 'Charlie' Maguire, take to expose the truth[1][4][5].
In 'His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life,' Jonathan Alter provides an intimate and surprising portrait of Jimmy Carter. The book depicts Carter as a complex figure with a first-class intelligence and a second-class temperament, who was prescient on issues like climate change and human rights but struggled with the economy and the Iran hostage crisis. Alter's narrative is based on dozens of interviews and offers a balanced and complete portrait of Carter, treating him as a real person with flaws rather than a saint. The book is praised for its wonderful pacing and thrilling accounts of dramatic events in Carter's presidency, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in American history[1][3][4].
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the presidency and post-presidential life of Jimmy Carter; the infighting of Elon Musk v. MAGA; and the possibilities of citizens’ assemblies with The New Yorker’s Nick Romeo.
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:
John Dickerson for CBS Mornings: John Dickerson on Jimmy Carter’s legacy and a life shaped by faith
CBS News: From the archives: Jimmy Carter becomes first president to walk in inaugural parade to White House and WGAL: Harrisburg, 1979: Jimmy Carter visits TMI after partial meltdown
Sam Stein and Jonathan Alter for The Bulwark: Jimmy Carter was a misunderstood President. Here’s Why. and His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Alter
Stephen Hess for The Brookings Institution: Jimmy Carter: Why He Failed
Todd S. Purdum for The Atlantic: Jimmy Carter Was America’s Most Effective Former President and Gal Beckerman: What Made Jimmy Carter Such a Strange President
Andrew Prokop for Vox: Elon Musk is on a collision course with Stephen Miller
Jonathan Edwards for The Washington Post: MAGA is fighting a ‘civil war’ over H-1B visas. Here’s what they are.
Nick Romeo for The New Yorker: What Could Citizens’ Assemblies Do For American Politics?
History.com: Ancient Greek Democracy and Simon Hornblower for Britannica: The reforms of Cleisthenes
Stanford University’s Deliberative Democracy Lab
Bürgerrat: Citizens’ assemblies worldwide
Here are this week’s chatters:
Emily: Caucasia: A Novel and Colored Television by Danzy Senna and A Complete Unknown from Searchlight Pictures
John: Event Santa Cruz: Dock Ellis No-No Cocktail at Brophy’s – Carmel; Patrick Hruby for ESPN: The Long, Strange Trip of Dock Ellis: Meet The Man Behind Baseball’s Most Psychedelic Myth.; and Paul Geisler Jr. for the Society for American Baseball Research: Dock Ellis
David: Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story from National Geographic and Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome and Fatherland: A Novel by Robert Harris
Listener chatter from Lawrence in Bowling Green, Ohio: Rhiannon Giddens for Silkroad: American Railroad: A Musical Journey of Reclamation
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss what President Joe Biden should do in his final two weeks in the Oval Office.
In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with David Greenberg about his new biography, John Lewis: A Life.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Jared Downing
Research by Julie Huygen
Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.
Hosts
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz
Follow
@SlateGabfest on X / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest
Slate Political Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Slate News 
