Ryan speaks with Sarah Churchwell about her book Careless People: Murder, Mayhem, and the Invention of The Great Gatsby, the complicated figure of F. Scott Fitzgerald, how The Great Gatsby’s celebration of mad dreamers who chase the American Dream informs our pursuit of the same ideal today, and more.Sarah Churchwell is professor of American Literature and Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. Her work focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American literature and cultural history, especially the 1920s and 1930s, including four books: The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream, The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells, and the aforementioned Careless People. She has written for numerous publications, including The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Book Review, The Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator, the New Statesman, The Guardian and The Observer. Saraha was also a judge for the 2014 Man Booker Prize, the 2017 Baillie Gifford Prize, and the 2019 Sunday Times Short Story Prize. In April 2021, she was long listed for the Orwell Prize for Journalism.✉️  Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail🏛 Check out the Daily Stoic Store for Stoic inspired products, signed books, and more.📱 Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, FacebookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the highly influential American poet Walt Whitman. In 1855 Whitman was working as a printer, journalist and property developer when he published his first collection of poetry. It began:I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall assume For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. The book was called Leaves of Grass. In it, Whitman set out to break away from European literary forms and traditions. Using long lines written in free verse, he developed a poetry meant to express a distinctively American outlook. Leaves of Grass is full of verse that celebrates both the sovereign individual, and the deep fellowship between individuals. Its optimism about the American experience was challenged by the Civil War and its aftermath, but Whitman emerged as a celebrity and a key figure in the development of American culture. With Sarah Churchwell Professor of American Literature and the Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of LondonPeter Riley Lecturer in 19th Century American Literature at the University of Exeter and Mark Ford Professor of English and American Literature at University College LondonProducer Luke Mulhall

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss F Scott Fitzgerald’s finest novel, published in 1925, one of the great American novels of the twentieth century. It is told by Nick Carraway, neighbour and friend of the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby. In the age of jazz and prohibition, Gatsby hosts lavish parties at his opulent home across the bay from Daisy Buchanan, in the hope she’ll attend one of them and they can be reunited. They were lovers as teenagers but she had given him up for a richer man who she soon married, and Gatsby is obsessed with winning her back.The image above is of Robert Redford as Gatsby in a scene from the film 'The Great Gatsby', 1974. WithSarah Churchwell Professor of American Literature and Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of LondonPhilip McGowan Professor of American Literature at Queen’s University, BelfastAndWilliam Blazek Associate Professor and Reader in American Literature at Liverpool Hope UniversityProduced by Simon Tillotson and Julia Johnson

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Sarah Churchwell and comedian Kemah Bob in 1920s USA to follow the implementation and after-effects of Prohibition. They take a look at the origins of the Prohibition laws and hear how a movement designed to encourage temperance backfired on the nation.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Produced by Cornelius Mendez Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse Research by Tim GalsworthyA production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Join Professor Sarah Churchwell, an expert in 1920s American culture, as she explores the vibrant youth culture and the emergence of Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties. Delve into the themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 'The Great Gatsby,' and discover how its explorations of illusion versus reality remain relevant today. Churchwell connects historical shifts to modern consumerism, shedding light on the generational divide and the evolution of media that shaped cultural landscapes then and now.

Freddie Hayward, the New Statesman's US correspondent, joins cultural critic Sarah Churchwell and writer Sohrab Ahmari to dissect the current state of American conservatism. They analyze the charged atmosphere at Trump's recent rally, drawing unsettling parallels to historical fascism. The discussion highlights the polarization in American politics and the unwavering loyalty of Trump’s followers, questioning the future of the Republican Party. With Trump's influence reshaping conservative ideals, they ponder what lies ahead for the GOP in an increasingly divided landscape.

Tim Walz, the Minnesota Governor and Kamala Harris's newly announced running mate, shares insights into his political journey and appeal to rural voters. Christopher Lord and Sarah Churchwell discuss the wider implications of this selection. Kate Brown explores the impact of Venezuela's disputed elections on society, while Hugh Langley delves into the challenges facing big tech following new rulings against monopolistic practices. Emma Nelson updates us on the ongoing Paris Olympics, wrapping it all in a global context.

Sign up for Intelligence Squared Premium here: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ for ad-free listening, bonus content, early access and much more. See below for details.How can history and literature help us make sense of the current turmoil we encounter in the world? We're joined by two US writers whose work is helping readers rethink their understanding of the American Civil War period and drawing new links with the polarised politics of the present day. Sarah Churchwell is author of The Wrath to Come, an analysis of the history and legacy of Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel Gone With the Wind. She is also Professor of American Literature and Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study at University of London. Karen Joy Fowler is the New York Times bestselling author, whose latest novel is Booth, focusing on the story of John Wilkes Booth, the man who would eventually assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Host of today's discussion is Intelligence Squared's Conor Boyle. …We are incredibly grateful for your support. To become an Intelligence Squared Premium subscriber, follow the link: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ Here’s a reminder of the benefits you’ll receive as a subscriber: Ad-free listening, because we know some of you would prefer to listen without interruption  One early episode per week Two bonus episodes per month A 25% discount on IQ2+, our exciting streaming service, where you can watch and take part in events live at home and enjoy watching past events on demand and without ads  A 15% discount and priority access to live, in-person events in London, so you won’t miss out on tickets Our premium monthly newsletter  Intelligence Squared Merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gone with the Wind—the top-grossing movie of all time, adjusted for inflation—remains an iconic influence in American culture, despite its deeply troubling portrayal of social and political dynamics in the South during and after the Civil War. The continued popularity of the film points to a need to examine its influence on nearly a century's worth of American race relations, fascistic movements, and denialism in the United States. And why did Adolf Hitler reportedly love it so much?In this cross-post of Chatter, David Priess spoke with cultural and literary historian Sarah Churchwell of the University of London, author of “The Wrath To Come,” a book that dives deeply into the film, how it reflects a mythologized "Lost Cause" version of the Old South, and its connection with today's increasing political violence. They discuss the popularity of the movie, its differences from the book it was based on, some of the challenges for filmmaker David O. Selznick and for the film's actors, the "Lost Cause" theme that the movie conveys, its intersection with fascist thinking in America and with modern racism, why it attracted Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders, its links to various iterations of the Klan and "America First" campaigns, and how even disturbing movies like this can spur social progress.Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guests Professor Sarah Churchwell, Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities, and Sam Leith, literary editor of the Spectator, discuss Thomas Pynchon's postmodern novel The Crying of Lot 49. They explore themes of uncertainty, resistance, and the power of language. The hosts also delve into Pynchon's elusive persona, his writing style, and the fascination surrounding his works. The novel's use of symbolism, humor, and its eerily accurate predictions about digital networks are also highlighted.