Listening to America

This week, Clay Jenkinson’s conversation with fellow Steinbeck scholar Russ Eagle of North Carolina about the relaunch of the Western Flyer, the boat that took Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, Steinbeck’s wife Carol, and four others to the Sea of Cortez in the spring of 1940. After eighty years the Western Flyer has been completely refurbished and now takes its place as one of the principal attractions at Monterey, California. Ricketts was a marine biologist and one of Steinbeck’s best friends in life. Partly to help Ricketts (who was a mediocre businessman), partly to get away from his sudden celebrity after The Grapes of Wrath went viral, Steinbeck commissioned the boat, gathered the crew, and made his way with his fellow adventures to Baja California to collect specimens for Rickett’s lab in Monterey. Steinbeck’s marriage to his first wife Carol was coming apart at the time. He was completely exhausted after the flurry of concentration that led to the greatness of Grapes of Wrath. It was part science, part escape, part vacation, but it led to two books, The Sea of Cortez in 1941, and The Log of the Sea of Cortez ten years later.

Clay Jenkinson is joined by regular guests Lindsay Chervinsky and David Nicandri to discuss the most overrated and underrated Presidents in American history, present company excluded. We evaluate the 46 presidencies, not the overall character or achievement. Woodrow Wilson does not fare well, but Richard Nixon has considerable support, in spite of Watergate. Lindsay heaps high praise on her man John Adams while David believes John F. Kennedy has additional luster now that our national leaders have become jaded, cynical, and openly opportunistic. We agree that Bill Clinton is one of the most disappointing presidents, given his amazing natural gifts and charisma, and Lindsay pays a moving tribute to Bush 41.

This week, Clay’s conversation with favorite guest Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky about the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. All ratified between December 1865 and February 1870, these three key amendments are in some respects the second founding of the United States. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th insisted on equal protection of all citizens of the United States, thus applying the Bill of Rights to the people of every state. And the 15th granted Black men 21 years old and older the right to vote. Unfortunately, all three were systematically undermined by the states of the old Confederacy, often with the support of the U.S. Supreme Court. We talk about birthright citizenship today, whether someone convicted of insurrection today would be ineligible to run for president, and whether the current trajectory of the Supreme Court is undermining the plain provisions of these key Constitutional Amendments.

Clay speaks with Enlightenment correspondent David Nicandri about Ken Burns' buffalo documentary, the Kennedy assassination book by Paul Landis, road adventures from Lewis and Clark to the Arctic Circle, witnessing a partial eclipse, and the cultural impact of the Kennedy assassination.

Clay Jenkinson presents 10 insights about Thomas Jefferson to guest historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Topics include Jefferson as a founder, his views on race and slavery, his contradictory actions, and his use of violent rhetoric. They also discuss Jefferson's fascination with the American West and the importance of acknowledging flaws.

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, an expert on the creation of the Constitution, discusses the division between big and little states as well as slave states and free states. They delve into why the founders worked in secrecy, threw out the Articles of Confederation, and why Alexander Hamilton advocated for lifelong service. They also explore the impact of Thomas Jefferson's contradictions, the secrecy rule at the Constitutional Convention, and the challenges in creating and amending the Constitution.

Ken Burns, a documentary filmmaker, discusses his latest documentary on the American Buffalo. Topics include William Hornaday's role in buffalo conservation, Theodore Roosevelt's involvement, and the significance of the buffalo to America's heritage. The speaker also shares personal encounters with buffalos and their longstanding collaboration with Ken Burns.

Dr. Yuval Levin, author of 'A Time to Build', discusses how to rebuild trust in American institutions. He emphasizes the need to focus on fixing structural issues rather than blaming individuals. The podcast also explores the role of politicians, the importance of holding government accountable, and the potential for a spiritual transformation in American politics. They discuss the challenges young individuals face in engaging in meaningful discussions and recommend reading books on the founding generation for a thoughtful approach to America's 250th anniversary.

Actor Steven Duchrow discusses his experience as a Chautauquan and the challenges of portraying historical characters. They explore the importance of understanding the character's worldview, the process of turning research into a performance, and provide superb recitations of poems by Vachel Lindsay and Carl Sandburg, including Sandburg's famous poem 'Chicago, Hog Butcher of the World'.

Dr. Lindsey Travinsky discusses challenges of writing a book, including structure, research, style, and pace. The chapter highlights the value of starting to write instead of waiting for all research to be done. They discuss the dedication required, importance of belief in the subject, seeking feedback, and staying motivated. They explore advantages of writing in the digital age and challenges and benefits of researching historical records. They share their experience of writing a second book, admiration for John Adams, and satisfaction of writing a good sentence. They provide advice on writing a book, including the importance of planning ahead and embracing the editing process.