The Book Club

Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust, dives into the vital role of trust in today’s polarized climate. He addresses a recent critique from Elon Musk, highlighting their complex relationship. Wales also explores why most people are trustworthy despite concerns about vandalism on Wikipedia. Discussing the toxicity of social media, he contrasts it with positive internet communities. Lastly, he shares insights on the challenges and legal threats facing Wikipedia while championing the need for trust in both social media and societal discourse.

In this engaging discussion, historian Graham Robb, celebrated for his narrative histories, shares insights from his book, The Discovery of Britain. He recounts how a spontaneous bike journey sparked a time-traveling exploration of the UK's history. The conversation reveals his groundbreaking cartographic discoveries, shedding light on Iron Age Britain and the myths surrounding King Arthur. Robb also unpacks the complexities of identity, class, and engagement with historical misconceptions, all while weaving personal anecdotes into a rich tapestry of Britain's past.

Nat Jansz, publisher and co-runner of Sort of Books, discusses the 80th anniversary of Comet in Moominland, highlighting Tove Jansson's ability to blend lightness with existential fears in children’s literature. She shares insights into Jansson's artistic roots and the impact of World War II on her work. Jansz also delves into character developments in the revised edition, like Sniff’s longing for belonging, and the philosophical depth hidden in the stories, inviting both children and adults to find truth in their magical world.

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the crime writer Peter James. Peter has contributed the introduction to a new edition of the classic thriller The Eagle Has Landed, which is 50 years old this month. He tells Sam what it was that made Jack Higgins's novel so groundbreaking, about what it takes to make you root for the bad guys, how thrillers and detective stories differ – and about his own history with Jack Higgins. Plus, he tells me about his own new novel The Hawk Is Dead — which comes, more or less, by Royal Appointment...   Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcastsContact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Luke Kemp, a research associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and author of 'Goliath's Curse', explores the intricacies of societal collapse. He challenges Thomas Hobbes' view of human cooperation, highlights how agriculture led to elite dominance, and reveals that societal breaks can sometimes benefit ordinary people. Kemp also warns about the fragility of our interconnected world and recommends practical steps to mitigate existential risks in the future.

Ben Schott, author and designer known for his ingenious Schott's Miscellanies, chats about his latest work, Schott's Significa. He reveals the fascinating world of private languages, showcasing everything from gondoliers' communication to graffiti's unique lexicon. Schott discusses the value of shoe-leather reporting, contrasting it with AI insights, and shares anecdotes about shadowing professionals to capture nuances in language. The talk dives into topics like modern fandoms, evolving urban dialects, and the relationship between language and culture.

Michael Gove speaks to Jeffrey Archer about his life, career and his new novel End Game, which marks the gripping finale of the William Warwick series. This discussion was part of the Spectator's speaker series. To see more on our upcoming events – including with Charles Moore and with Bernard Cornwell – go to events.spectator.co.ukBecome a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcastsContact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the historical novelist Philippa Gregory. In her gripping new book Boleyn Traitor, Philippa seeks to rescue Jane Boleyn from the vast condescension of history. She tells Sam how fiction allows her to make plausible speculations about the gaps in the record, how she works to make the Tudors speak to us in language we can recognise, where Henry VIII went wrong — and what the Tudor court's descent into tyranny has to say to us about our own age.Produced by James Lewis.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcastsContact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the historian Sudhir Hazareesingh, whose new book Daring to Be Free: Rebellion and Resistance of the Enslaved in the Atlantic World reframes the story of Atlantic slavery. He explains why the familiar tale of enlightened Europeans bringing about abolition leaves out the most important voices of all – the enslaved themselves – and how from Africa to Haiti and beyond, traditions of rebellion, resistance and spiritual resilience shaped the struggle for freedom long before Wilberforce or Clarkson entered the picture.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcastsContact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Leith's guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Roger Lewis, whose book The Life and Death of Peter Sellers has been republished to mark 100 years since the comedian's birth. Roger tells Sam about the difference between Sellers's public persona and private life, plus his influence on comedy today. They also discuss how Roger reinvented the way biographies were written, and whether the view he had of Sellers as a teenager changed through writing the book.Produced by James Lewis.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcastsContact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.