Aaron Sachs

Aaron Sachs, a historian and author of "Up from the Depths," dives into the intricate parallels between the struggles of Herman Melville and Lewis Mumford and today's challenges. He argues that understanding these historical moments can inspire hope amid current adversities. The conversation explores societal anxieties across American history, critiques of technology and urbanization, and the profound themes of life and death in literature. Sachs emphasizes the cyclical nature of history and the potential for renewed political engagement.

Author Aaron Sachs discusses his book on Herman Melville and Lewis Mumford, exploring the influence of Melville on William Faulkner, the complexities of empathy in biography writing, the power of storytelling in finding meaning in dark times, and the theme of alienation in Melville's works.