The Burning Archive

The Israel-Gaza Crisis, as the United Nations describes the situation, has shocked the world, and confronted us with the difficulties of living in a time of war. How can we respond to these shocking events mindfully, given the torrents of emotion coursing around the world? How can we use history not to nurse grievance, but to nurture empathy, and so to restore peace? I address these questions through many viewpoints in this show - the debates this week at the United Nations Security Council, the reflections of historian Simon Schama, the insights of a new history of World War II, and the grief and wisdom of two great woman poets. Read more of my writing and join my free weekly newsletter, Fragments of the Burning Archive at jeffrich.substack.com.

Are you looking for a new, readable, intriguing history book to read? I introduce you to a shortlist of 6 top history books from 2023. All 6 books come from the shortlist for the 2023 Wolfson History Prize, Britain and the UK's most prestigious history book prize. I also invite you to help me shape my idea for an online history reading club, where you can learn and read with me. Would you like to see the world more clearly with some quality world history. Please discuss. You can follow me at jeffrich.substack.com and theburningarchive.com

The 2023 Nobel Prize for Literature is announced. Relive world literature's night of nights with this edited live reaction to the announcement. It covers all the predictions, the actual announcement, and an emotional introduction to why you might want to read the works of this year's winner. Whether you do not know who won, or do not know anything about who won, this podcast will offer you some insights, and even some inspiration. Follow my free and exclusive writing at jeffrich.substack.com and check all my work at theburningarchive.com. Read my latest article on the winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature, Patrick White, Australia’s aborted cultural decolonisation. Subscribe on Spotify for regular bonus content.

Why read Olga Tokarczuk, Winner of 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature? Find out in this fourth episode of my series on the Nobel Prize for Literature. It discusses the life of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature Laureate, the novelist Olga Tokarczuk. I give you 10 reasons to read one of the most celebrated Nobel winners of recent years. I give a guide to her works: The Books of Jacob (the best historical fiction of this century), Flights and Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead. And you will hear Tokarczuk speak in her own voice about the issues of importance to this Polish woman writer. Read more at www.theburningarchive.com And become a paid supporter of The Burning Archive by subscribing at Spotify or at patreon.com to get exclusive bonus content. Become an Angel of History, learn with me about the history and culture of the multipolar world, and receive a bonus episode going into depth on Tokarczuk's great novel of historical fiction, The Books of Jacob.

Why read Patrick White, Winner of 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature? Find out in this third episode of my series on the Nobel Prize for Literature. It discusses the life and works of the 1973 Nobel Prize for Literature Laureate, the novelist Patrick White, the only Australian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. You will hear White react to the news of the prize in his own voice, and learn how this great writer was an uneasy exile at home, in more ways than one. Read more at www.theburningarchive.com And become a paid supporter of The Burning Archive by subscribing at Spotify or at patreon.com to get exclusive bonus content. Become an Angel of History, learn with me about the history and culture of the multipolar world, and receive the first bonus episode on Patrick White and Australian cultural nationalism on 25 September.

Why should you read W.B. Yeats, Winner of 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature? Find out in this second of my series on the Nobel Prize for Literature. It discusses the life and works of the 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature Laureate, William Butler (W.B.) Yeats, including a rare recording of Yeats in his own voice and the surprising story of his poem, The Second Coming. Find out about this intriguing poet, spiritualist and politician whose verse still speaks to us today. Read more at www.theburningarchive.com

What is the history behind the rise and fall of the professions? How is their story linked to the rise of management especially since the 1970s? And how does it all relate to what happens in the modern university? Find out answers to all these questions in this in-depth interview with historian Dr Hannah Forsyth, author of Virtue Capitalists: the rise and fall of the professional class in the Anglophone world c.1870-2008  (2023). For more ways to see the world more clearly with some quality history, subscribe to my free weekly newsletter at jeffrich.substack.com, and check all my content at theburningarchive.com

Esteemed world historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto discusses America's Hispanic history and its role in a changing world. They explore the shifts in international power balance, the significance of exploration and cultural exchange, and the benefits of studying history for a good life. The guest also shares insights about their upcoming book on primatology and promotes their writing, activities, and new online course.

Esteemed world historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto discusses world history, civilizations' adaptation to the environment, and the role of ideas in shaping history. They explore the significance of food throughout history and its connection to culture and economy. The chapter also touches on agriculture, technological advancement, coping strategies for change, and the role of America in world history.

Why can't we just all get along? Is all history class struggle, or a fight between the people and the elites? Or, as Peter Turchin suggests, do elites fight hardest against other elites? And how can Stockholm show us a better way to live together? Quote of the show: "Identity is an invitation to dialogue, not a prison." (Vaclav Havel)