Evan Friss
Author of "The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore" and professor at James Madison University. Expert on the history of American bookstores and their cultural impact.
Best podcasts with Evan Friss
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Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 7min
The History of American Bookshops (From Benjamin Franklin to The Painted Porch) | Evan Friss
Evan Friss, author and professor, dives into the fascinating history of American bookstores. He discusses how bookstores have shaped influential leaders and movements, from the American Revolution spurred by Benjamin Franklin to modern independent shops. Friss explores the cultural significance of bookstores as community hubs and activist spaces, highlighting their challenges in the age of Amazon. He also emphasizes the ongoing charm of physical bookstores, which serve as vibrant social locales in today's digital landscape.
Jan 30, 2026 • 32min
Why Bookstores Still Matter
David Damrosch, Harvard comparative literature professor who mapped insights from 80 global authors. Evan Friss, historian of American bookstores who traces their cultural and political roles. They discuss the sensory joy of browsing, bookstores as community and refuge, literature as a portal across time, and how constraints and storytelling shape understanding.
