GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution Niall Ferguson, Flying Scotsman | GoodFellows
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Aug 6, 2025 Sir Niall Ferguson, a knighted historian and Hoover’s Milbank Family Senior Fellow, shares his journey from acting to academia alongside his wife, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a human rights activist known for her work on women's rights. They discuss the balance of parenting and education, highlighting the importance of critical thinking in children. Niall reveals his new passion for sailing and his unique views on golf and fishing, while they both share humorous takes on pandemic life and personal interests, reflecting on legacy and the joys of family.
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Montana Pandemic Life
- Niall Ferguson lives in Montana and experienced pandemic life there, enjoying the tranquility and natural surroundings despite interruptions like a woodpecker drilling his house.
- He values these peaceful retreats as an essential part of his life balance amid a busy schedule.
Multitasking Requires Hard Work
- To multitask successfully, be a workaholic and possess a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which helps manage multiple roles effectively.
- Embrace working long hours and daily commitment but be prepared to be insufferable and hard to live with.
Chrissie Hynde Praises Ferguson
- Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders, praised Ferguson as the "Jimi Hendrix" of historians, which deeply touched him.
- She had been a heroine of his youth, making the compliment especially meaningful and surprising.
