My friend from The Dispatch, Cynthia W, told me about Wrong Side of History. My husband and I subscribed to your newsletter, and recently signed up for a paid subscription.
I can see why Cynthia recommended you. I find Great Britain fascinating, and it’s interesting to see that we are dealing with so many similar issues. I also love that we still have close ties.
I’ve listened to a couple of podcasts on England. The History of England started from *the beginning,* and I’m not sure where it’s at now, but I need to get back to it. (I listen to a lot of podcasts!) The other is The Age of Victoria. There are lots out there! If anyone wants to recommend something, I’ll happily check it out.
Anyway, thanks for this wonderful piece. It’s raining today where I live in the U.S. Perfect for relaxing and reading. Happy 4th of July!
Oh thanks Cynthia - Substack should offer finder rewards or whatever they’re called.
Anne - have you listened to the Rest is History? Highly recommended, I can suggest some good episodes to start if you like. It’s not just informative but very funny.
Thank you! I’d love to know which episodes you recommend. “Informative and funny” is always a plus, and one of the reasons I enjoy reading your articles. (Cynthia has a wonderful sense of humor, too.)
I’m going to add “Rest is History” to my podcast feed now, before I forget!
My husband and I listened to the one on Jeremy Thorpe, and it was great! As soon as we got home, my husband was online looking him up. What a crazy, funny story. It turns out that the movie with Hugh Grant is on Amazon Prime, so we’re going to watch that.
“The Rest is History” is such a good recommendation. Thank you!!
Ed, I listened to the first one on the French Revolution. Fantastic and surprisingly funny at times! The one following that is about British cooking. I’m saving that so my husband and I can listen together because he loves to cook. We visited the UK briefly on our way to Johannesburg, and I seem to recall that finding what we considered a decent lunch wasn’t easy. However, finding good food in the States can be challenging, too! I am looking forward to listening to the other one you linked too, and the podcast is now in my queue.
Yes, do a podcast. I know it would be good. Can you provide the names of a podcast or two or more you’ve been on?
I keep popping back in here to comment after listening. I haven’t quite finished the one you linked me to, but I’m enjoying it. I’m going to be honest that I sometimes have trouble understanding English accents, especially when it’s two or more people talking. It sounds *fast,* but I’m sure others would say the same of American English speakers, too. I’m thinking I’ll try listening with earphones.
But, you said a number of things that reminded me of Jonah Goldberg (one of my favorites). So much of what progressives want seem to be based on *feelings.* I sometimes wonder how much practical thought goes into it.
Thank you!! I have Spotify, but I can find most things on Apple, as well! The Age of Victoria starts out talking about Napoleon, and it was fascinating. He was trying to provide a foundation before getting into all the things it influenced during Victoria’s reign.
(I’m thinking you might need a podcast. Have you been on any?)
I'm diving deep into English history as well, having not studies after the age of 13 - ending up doing all sorts of languages again. Fortunately, I would say the state of written English history is now as good as it has ever been.
Bring a prime Boomer, born in 1951, I'm super interested in accounts of post war times; we have three of the finest in
Russia : revolution and civil war, 1917-1921 - Anthony Beevor (His "Stalingrad" an epic telling of that extraordinary campaign
Why the allies won - R.J. Overy, an analysis from a different angle, taking different theatres and different ways of looking at the war. for example, industrial readiness and transpfrmation - the USA above all others converting itself into a full-speed and highly productive war economy.
The restless republic : Britain without a crown - Anna Keay, a wonderful account of the Interregnum and Civil War. Quite fascinating.
A distant mirror : the calamitous Fourteenth Century - Barbara Tuchman's comprehensive account of The Hundred Years War
Protestants : the radicals who made the modern world - Alec Ryrie, not just Theology but account of Protestantism's effect on the West; Capitlaism being perhaps one of the main facets.
Ravenna : capital of empire, crucible of Europe - Judith Herrin - Wow! Another take on the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. Excellent.
My friend from The Dispatch, Cynthia W, told me about Wrong Side of History. My husband and I subscribed to your newsletter, and recently signed up for a paid subscription.
I can see why Cynthia recommended you. I find Great Britain fascinating, and it’s interesting to see that we are dealing with so many similar issues. I also love that we still have close ties.
I’ve listened to a couple of podcasts on England. The History of England started from *the beginning,* and I’m not sure where it’s at now, but I need to get back to it. (I listen to a lot of podcasts!) The other is The Age of Victoria. There are lots out there! If anyone wants to recommend something, I’ll happily check it out.
Anyway, thanks for this wonderful piece. It’s raining today where I live in the U.S. Perfect for relaxing and reading. Happy 4th of July!
Oh thanks Cynthia - Substack should offer finder rewards or whatever they’re called.
Anne - have you listened to the Rest is History? Highly recommended, I can suggest some good episodes to start if you like. It’s not just informative but very funny.
Thank you! I’d love to know which episodes you recommend. “Informative and funny” is always a plus, and one of the reasons I enjoy reading your articles. (Cynthia has a wonderful sense of humor, too.)
I’m going to add “Rest is History” to my podcast feed now, before I forget!
There are so many, but if you have Spotify, the French Revolution one was very good https://open.spotify.com/episode/30dZDoKni4IBbCNO06XyQg?si=e7d9396eae554ca5
This was hilarious, but very British
https://open.spotify.com/episode/441mA57SavLM2kOyQHznjh?si=26917b64f7c848f9
My husband and I listened to the one on Jeremy Thorpe, and it was great! As soon as we got home, my husband was online looking him up. What a crazy, funny story. It turns out that the movie with Hugh Grant is on Amazon Prime, so we’re going to watch that.
“The Rest is History” is such a good recommendation. Thank you!!
Ed, I listened to the first one on the French Revolution. Fantastic and surprisingly funny at times! The one following that is about British cooking. I’m saving that so my husband and I can listen together because he loves to cook. We visited the UK briefly on our way to Johannesburg, and I seem to recall that finding what we considered a decent lunch wasn’t easy. However, finding good food in the States can be challenging, too! I am looking forward to listening to the other one you linked too, and the podcast is now in my queue.
Yes, do a podcast. I know it would be good. Can you provide the names of a podcast or two or more you’ve been on?
Here's one https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VYZAx1x5Qv6SCKqUhAjVw?si=519431830d304496
I'm going to be on Razib Khan's one on Sunday, don't know when it goes out though
I keep popping back in here to comment after listening. I haven’t quite finished the one you linked me to, but I’m enjoying it. I’m going to be honest that I sometimes have trouble understanding English accents, especially when it’s two or more people talking. It sounds *fast,* but I’m sure others would say the same of American English speakers, too. I’m thinking I’ll try listening with earphones.
But, you said a number of things that reminded me of Jonah Goldberg (one of my favorites). So much of what progressives want seem to be based on *feelings.* I sometimes wonder how much practical thought goes into it.
Thank you! I’ll watch for the other one. 😄
Thank you!! I have Spotify, but I can find most things on Apple, as well! The Age of Victoria starts out talking about Napoleon, and it was fascinating. He was trying to provide a foundation before getting into all the things it influenced during Victoria’s reign.
(I’m thinking you might need a podcast. Have you been on any?)
I will give it a go.
I've been on occasional ones, and yes I'd love to do one, but rather need pushing into things.
I'm diving deep into English history as well, having not studies after the age of 13 - ending up doing all sorts of languages again. Fortunately, I would say the state of written English history is now as good as it has ever been.
Bring a prime Boomer, born in 1951, I'm super interested in accounts of post war times; we have three of the finest in
Peter Hennessy
David Kynaston
Dominic Sandbrook
All well worth reading.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jeremy. I was born in 1952!
Been also reading a lot of WWI & II accounts.
Russia : revolution and civil war, 1917-1921 - Anthony Beevor (His "Stalingrad" an epic telling of that extraordinary campaign
Why the allies won - R.J. Overy, an analysis from a different angle, taking different theatres and different ways of looking at the war. for example, industrial readiness and transpfrmation - the USA above all others converting itself into a full-speed and highly productive war economy.
The restless republic : Britain without a crown - Anna Keay, a wonderful account of the Interregnum and Civil War. Quite fascinating.
A distant mirror : the calamitous Fourteenth Century - Barbara Tuchman's comprehensive account of The Hundred Years War
Protestants : the radicals who made the modern world - Alec Ryrie, not just Theology but account of Protestantism's effect on the West; Capitlaism being perhaps one of the main facets.
Ravenna : capital of empire, crucible of Europe - Judith Herrin - Wow! Another take on the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. Excellent.
I have this entire post flagged in my email so I can reference back to it. Thank you!
My pleasure. Always enjoy sharing good reads!
Oh Freedom, oh Liberty, I'm going to find my own way home...
Good Old Grateful Dead again - they kidnapped me age 15, and are still holding me hostage, all these years on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlZZHN1wCIk
LIBERTY
Lyrics By:Robert Hunter
Music By:Jerry Garcia
Saw a bird with a tear in his eye
Walking to New Orleans my oh my
Hey, now, Bird, wouldn't you rather die
Than walk this world when you're born to fly?
If I was the sun, I'd look for shade
If I was a bed, I would stay unmade
If I was a river I'd run uphill
If you call me you know I will
If you call me you know I will
Ooo, freedom
Ooo, liberty
Ooo, leave me alone
To find my own way home
To find my own way home
Say what I mean and I don't give a damn
I do believe and I am who I am
Hey now Mama come and take my hand
Whole lotta shakin' all over this land
If I was an eagle I'd dress like a duck
Crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
If I get a notion I'll climb this tree
or chop it down and you can't stop me
Chop it down and you can't stop me
Ooo, freedom
Ooo, liberty
Ooo, leave me alone
To find my own way home
To find my own way home
Went to the well but the water was dry
Dipped my bucket in the clear blue sky
Looked in the bottom and what did I see?
The whole damned world looking back at me
If I was a bottle I'd spill for love
Sake of mercy I'd kill for love
If I was a liar I'd lie for love
Sake of my baby I'd die for love
Sake of my baby I'd die for love
Ooo, freedom
Ooo, liberty
Ooo, leave me alone
To find my own way home
To find my own way home
I'm gonna find my own way home
That Negative First Amendment is a doozy.