The LRB Podcast

Adam Thirlwell, a novelist and critic known for his adventurous explorations of fiction, joins to dissect the dark themes of James Hogg's 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' and Mikhail Bulgakov's 'The Master and Margarita.' They dive into the nuances of fanaticism, exploring how both authors represent pacts with the devil, and discuss the characters' moral dilemmas linked to antinomianism. Thirlwell sheds light on how these fantastical narratives not only reflect personal identity but also comment on the socio-political landscapes of their times.

Francesca Wade, author of *Square Haunting*, delves into the life of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian who transformed a private collection into a public treasure. They discuss Greene's fascinating identity struggles, specifically her decision to conceal her African American heritage. Wade uncovers Greene's long-distance relationship with art historian Bernard Berenson and her strategic maneuvers in a male-dominated field. The conversation reflects on Greene's significant contributions to librarianship and the complex legacy she left behind.

Laleh Khalili, a professor at the University of Exeter and author of "Extractive Capitalism," joins to discuss the critical intersection of Silicon Valley and the Pentagon. She critiques the influence of private tech firms on military spending, especially under Trump's massive defense budget. The conversation delves into the evolution of military strategy, the reliance on advanced technology, and the implications of shifting tech relations. Khalili argues these partnerships pose threats to national security and the public good, challenging us to rethink our priorities.

Joanna Biggs, former editor at the LRB and deputy editor of the Yale Review, discusses the legendary Marguerite Yourcenar, the first woman in the Académie Française. They delve into 'Memoirs of Hadrian', exploring its emotional depth, themes of love and sacrifice, and its cultural significance. Biggs highlights Yourcenar’s aristocratic roots and her connections with other female writers. The conversation also reflects on how personal artifacts shape cultural identity, revealing the timeless nature of human experiences throughout history.

Daniel Trilling, author and expert on far-right politics, delves into the resurgence of right-wing nationalism and its potential ties to fascism. He and TJ unpack the historical evolution of far-right movements, dissect complex definitions of fascism, and explore the emotional undercurrents—like resentment and fear—driving this ideology. They also discuss how climate crisis anxieties are being manipulated by far-right thinkers and the consequences for national identity, wrapping up with insights into Poland's women's rights movement in the face of such threats.

In this extended extract from their series 'Conversations in Philosophy', part of the LRB's Close Readings podcast, Jonathan Rée and James Wood look at one of Friedrich Nietzsche's early essays, 'Schopenhauer as Educator'. For Nietzsche, Schopenhauer’s genius lay not in his ideas but in his heroic indifference, a thinker whose value to the world is as a liberator rather than a teacher, who shows us what philosophy is really for: to forget what we already know. ‘Schopenhauer as Educator’ was written in 1874, when Nietzsche was 30, and was published in a collection with three other essays – on Wagner, David Strauss and the use of history – that has come to be titled Untimely Meditations. Jonathan and James consider the essays together and their powerful attack on the ethos of the age, railing against the greed and power of the state, fake art, overweening science, the triviality of universities and the deification of success.James Wood is a contributor to the LRB and staff writer at The New Yorker, whose books include The Broken Estate, How Fiction Works and a novel, Upstate.Jonathan Rée is a writer, philosopher and regular contributor to the LRB whose books include Witcraft and A Schoolmaster's War.Sponsored links:Find out more about the National Gallery's Siena exhibition here: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/siena-the-rise-of-paintingTo find out about financial support for professional writers visit the Royal Literary Fund here: https://www.rlf.org.uk/Close Readings:To listen to the rest of this episode and all our other Close Readings series, sign up;In Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/nietzscheapplecrIn other podcast apps: https://lrb.me/nietzschesccr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colm Tóibín, an acclaimed Irish novelist and critic, discusses the evolving papacy and the paradox of necessary change within the Church. He reflects on Pope Francis's leadership, revealing how a smile masked his iron-fist governance. Tóibín also examines the church's interactions with politics, particularly during the Trump era, and the implications of papal reforms on communities, including the complexities of beliefs surrounding issues like gay blessings. His insights paint a vivid picture of a transformative period in Catholicism.

Sheila Fitzpatrick, a renowned historian of the Soviet Union and author of influential works like 'Everyday Stalinism,' shares her fascinating insights. She discusses her groundbreaking experiences in Soviet archives during the 1960s, challenging the traditional views of Soviet governance. Topics include the complexities of Soviet education policy, the immediate aftermath of Stalin's death, and the struggles scholars face in discussing Soviet history amidst ideological tensions. Fitzpatrick's personal anecdotes enrich the conversation, shedding light on displacement and resilience.

Join Robert Cioffi, a Bard College professor and expert in ancient Egyptian papyri, as he delves into the fascinating world of pyramid construction. Discover the recent findings of ancient texts that detail the lives of laborers, their surprising compensation, and the logistics behind the Great Pyramid of Giza. Robert shares a gripping tale of raising a fallen column and discusses ethical challenges in archaeology. With insights into ancient technologies and labor dynamics, this conversation sheds light on the monumental achievements of Egypt’s past.

The Soviet Women’s Anti-Fascist Committee was set up in 1941 to foster connections with Allied countries and encourage British and US women to ‘invest personally’ in the war effort. Two years later, the National Council of American-Soviet Friendship in New York started its own letter-writing programme. The correspondence between a few hundred pairs of women in the US and the Soviet Union – sharing the details of their everyday lives, discovering what they had in common as well as their differences – carried on until the mid-1950s, even as hostilities between their governments escalated. In this episode, Miriam Dobson joins Tom to talk about her recent review of Dear Unknown Friend by Alexis Peri, which documents this ‘remarkable correspondence’. Drawing on her own research, Dobson also discusses other exchanges between ordinary people on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, and how the letter-writing changed the women's ideas about their own lives.Find further reading on the episode page: https://lrb.me/penpalspodLRB AudioDiscover audiobooks, Close Readings and more from the LRB: https://lrb.me/audiolrbpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.