New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 27, 2025 • 51min
Henrike Kohpeiß, "Bourgeois Coldness" (Divided Publishing, 2025)
Henrika Kohpeiß is a philosopher and postdoctoral researcher whose book, Bourgeois Coldness, explores affect, critical theory, and colonial legacies. In this insightful discussion, she elaborates on how bourgeois coldness operates as an affective strategy, acting like air conditioning that shields individuals from societal chaos. Henrika connects the Frankfurt School's ideas with Black studies, analyzing contemporary issues like anti-Palestinian racism in media. She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing affective politics in these urgent times.
Dec 27, 2025 • 1h 10min
Daniel M. Herskowitz, "The Judeo-Christian Thought of Franz Rosenzweig" (Liverpool UP, 2025)
Daniel M. Hershkovitz, a Professor of Religious Studies at Duke University, explores Franz Rosenzweig's work, The Star of Redemption, revealing its deep connections to Protestant thought. He discusses how understanding this influence solves longstanding puzzles and reshapes perceptions of Rosenzweig's intentions. Hershkovitz highlights the importance of integrating theology into Jewish studies and argues for Rosenzweig as a genuinely Judeo-Christian thinker. The conversation also dives into themes of revelation, temporality, and the implications of Rosenzweig's philosophical views for both Judaism and Christianity.
12 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 5min
Marcus Willaschek, "Kant: A Revolution in Thinking" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Marcus Willaschek, a prominent Kant scholar and professor at Goethe University, discusses his book, 'Kant: A Revolution in Thinking.' He emphasizes Kant's revolutionary approach, particularly his 'Copernican turn,' which centers human perspective. Willaschek explores Kant's assertion that practical morality guides theory and promotes social maturity. He addresses contradictions in Kant's work, particularly his views on racism versus universal ethics, and highlights Kant's vision for international peace, emphasizing the relevance of his ideas in today's crises.
Dec 23, 2025 • 1h 9min
Beenash Jafri, "Settler Attachments and Asian Diasporic Film" (U Minnesota Press, 2025)
Beenash Jafri, an associate professor at UC Davis and author of "Settler Attachments and Asian Diasporic Film", dives into the complexities of race, diaspora, and Indigeneity. She discusses her shift from social movements to film as a method to explore decolonial possibilities. Jafri highlights the appeal of the Asian cowboy figure and its implications for belonging. She emphasizes friendship as a form of political labor and examines contemporary films that portray diverse youth dynamics. Her work encourages a rethinking of solidarity through a queer lens.
Dec 17, 2025 • 59min
Lucy Jeffery and Anna Váradi, "Replaying Communism: Trauma and Nostalgia in European Cultural Production" (CEU Press, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, Anna Váradi, a media studies scholar from Hungary, and Lucy Jeffery, a literature and cultural studies expert, delve into their project on post-socialist memory. They explore the complexities of 'replaying' the communist past, highlighting how trauma and nostalgia intertwine in contemporary cultural production. The duo shares insights on personal memories, inter-generational differences, and the role of museums in shaping collective memory. They also link these themes to current political landscapes, emphasizing the need for diverse narratives in post-communist discourse.
5 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 8min
Graham Harman, "Waves and Stones: The Continuous and the Discontinuous in Human Thought" (Allen Lane, 2025)
In this insightful discussion, Graham Harman, a distinguished professor and leading voice in object-oriented ontology, explores the intriguing relationship between the continuous and the discrete in human thought. He delves into evolutionary theory, critiquing gradualism, and examines how wave-particle duality poses challenges in physics. Harman also reflects on the compatibility of religion and science, alongside the historical influences on scientific paradigms. This kaleidoscopic journey through philosophy and science prompts listeners to rethink their understanding of reality.
12 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 47min
Negar Mansouri and Daniel R. Quiroga-Villamarín eds., "Ways of Seeing International Organisations: New Perspectives for International Institutional Law" (Cambridge UP, 2025
Negar Mansouri, a postdoctoral researcher at Copenhagen Business School, and Daniel R. Quiroga-Villamarín, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU, delve into the limitations of current international institutional law. They critique the positivist approach that dominates the field and advocate for a more interdisciplinary perspective. Key discussions include the influence of technocratic framing on policy, the importance of physical spaces in international organizations, and the links between capitalism and institutional change. Their research aims to unravel the complexities of global governance.
Dec 12, 2025 • 59min
Anne Lawrence-Mathers, "The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts" (Yale UP, 2025)
Anne Lawrence-Mathers, a medieval history professor at the University of Reading, delves into the captivating world of medieval magic through her upcoming book. She explores the allure of 20 illuminated manuscripts, revealing how they served as luxury status symbols while reflecting the fusion of magic with science and religion. The discussion includes insights on popular versus learned magic, the production of manuscripts in monasteries, and the intriguing role of divination in medieval society. Lawrence-Mathers also highlights the importance of re-integrating magic into historical narratives.
Dec 11, 2025 • 57min
Rachel Jean-Baptiste, "Multiracial Identities in Colonial French Africa: Race, Childhood, and Citizenship" (Cambridge UP, 2023)
Rachel Jean-Baptiste, a historian specializing in the French-speaking Atlantic world, delves into the complexities of multiracial identities in colonial French Africa. She highlights how interracial relationships flourished despite racial tensions, leading to the 'métis problem.' Jean-Baptiste shares compelling stories of African mothers advocating for their métis children’s rights amidst shifting legal landscapes and societal perceptions. The discussion also touches on the impact of World War II on citizenship debates and the legacy of métis activism post-independence.
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
Michael Staunton, "Thomas Becket and His World" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
Michael Staunton, Professor of Medieval History at University College Dublin and an expert on Thomas Becket, dives deep into Becket's tumultuous life and legacy. He discusses how Becket's rise from a merchant's son to archbishop played out against the backdrop of 12th-century England's transformations. The personal and institutional conflicts with King Henry II illuminate their contentious relationship. Staunton explores Becket's dramatic exile and martyrdom, revealing the international ramifications of his story and why his legacy continues to captivate historical discourse.
