New Books in Western European Studies

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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. Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: ⁠newbooksnetwork.com⁠ Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to ... more

37 ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	2605	Founded	15 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Society & CultureHistory

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Latest Episodes

Chenchen Zhang, "Easting the West: Theorizing the Postliberal Conjuncture from China" (Oxford UP, 2026)

With commentary on the emergence of a ‘multipolar’ world, of

transatlantic rifts and the rise of ‘middle powers’ ubiquitous, tales of

the decline of something called ‘the West’ seem to be everywhere. Yet

the meanings the idea of ‘the West’ acquire... more

Yesterday • 1 hr 10 min

A.J.A. Woods, "The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West" (Verso, 2026)

The Cultural Marxism Conspiracy: Why the Right Blames the Frankfurt School for the Decline of the West (Verso Books, 2026) is the definitive history of a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory.

“Cultural Marxism” is one of the far right’s favorite... more

24 Aug 2026 • 53 min

Claudia Kreklau, "The Making of Modern Eating: How the German Middle Class Forged the Way We Eat, 1780–1910" (Berghahn, 2026)

Nineteenth-century

Germany invented the way we eat. Women experimenting in households,

French chefs fleeing guillotines, and one of the most rapidly evolving

food industries in the world forged recognizably modern eating practices

between 1780 an... more

20 Aug 2026 • 43 min • Popular

Roderick Beaton, "Europe: A New History" (Allen Lane, 2026)

What do we talk about when we talk about Europe? Is it defined by geography? Or is it politics, or shared culture? In Europe: A New History (Allen Lane, 2026),

award-winning historian Roderick Beaton tells the story of Europe as

never before—as th... more

19 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 4 min • Most popular

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Recent Guests

Sarah Ellen Zarrow

Professor of Judaic Studies; author of Displays of Belonging

Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Episode: Sarah Ellen Zarrow, "Displays of Belonging: Polish Jewish Collecting and Museums, 1891–1941" (Cornell UP, 2025.)

Steven Veerapen

Author of Overlord: The Life and Reign of Henry VIII

Berlin Verlag (publisher)

Episode: Steven Veerapen, "Overlord: A New History of the Life and Reign of Henry VIII" (Simon & Schuster, 2026

Katie Barclay

Historian and author

Reaktion Books (publisher)

Episode: Katie Barclay, "The Kiss: A History of Passion and Power" (Reaktion Books, 2025)

Ruth Lawlor

Assistant Professor of History at Cornell University

Cornell University

Episode: Andrew N. Buchanan and Ruth Lawlor eds., "The Greater Second World War: Global Perspectives" (Cornell UP, 2025)

Andrew Buchanan

Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Vermont

University of Vermont

Episode: Andrew N. Buchanan and Ruth Lawlor eds., "The Greater Second World War: Global Perspectives" (Cornell UP, 2025)

Patrick Nunn

Professor of Geography, University of the Sunshine Coast

University of the Sunshine Coast

Episode: Patrick Nunn, "Whispers from Celtic Seas: The True Meanings of Ancient Stories from Northwest Europe" (Reaktion, 2026)

Elisabeth van Houts

Professor of European Medieval History

University affiliation not explicitly stated in transcript; referenced as Yale University Press author

Episode: Elisabeth van Houts, "Empress Matilda: Queen of the Romans, Ruler of the English" (Yale UP, 2026)

Mikuláš Pešta

Author of the book, Assistant Professor at the Institute of World History, Charles University in Prague

Charles University in Prague

Episode: Mikuláš Pešta, "Student Internationalism and the Global Cold War: The International Union of Students in Socialist Prague" (Bloomsbury, 2026)

Martin Shaw

Author of The New Age of Genocide

Agenda Publishing

Episode: Martin Shaw, "The New Age of Genocide: Intellectual and Political Challenges After Gaza" (Agenda Publishing, 2025)

Hosts

Dr. Miranda Melcher

Host affiliated with The New Books Network; frequently appears across episodes.

Mark Baker

Host of The New Books Network; affiliated with University of Manchester.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings

Présenter
I love this podcast, but I now rarely listen due to Aari Barbalatt. I’m sure he’s a great guy, but he’s a terrible interviewer and kills interest in even the most interesting books! Please find someone else!!
Apple Podcasts
5
dedendao
Canadaa year ago
a very uneven podcast
Sometimes excellent, if the interviewer lets the guest talk or if he knows something about the guest’s topic. When the host just reads from a pre-fab list of questions no matter what the guest answers, then it’s a weak episode.
Apple Podcasts
3
Latin teacher
United States6 years ago

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Guests and hosts are generally viewed as credible authorities, though reception can hinge on interview dynamics.

Fans appreciate scholarly rigor and accessibility to primary sources but some want sharper question handling and smoother flow.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Laura Jockusch on Jewish Revenge after the Holocaust (JP)

Q: What is your historian's account of the change in time and how the idea of revenge shifts in later periods?

The narrative moves from early postwar emphasis on revenge and retribution to a more nuanced period where revenge is framed as a private coping mechanism, while public justice and accountability become dominant, yet with ongoing debates about ethno-nationalism and memory that complicate tidy timelines.

Laura Jockusch on Jewish Revenge after the Holocaust (JP)

Q: Can you say more about the line from Wiesel and how the mandate for revenge might be sublimated or redirected over time?

Wiesel's writings illustrate a tension between the impulse for revenge and the pursuit of humane response; over time, the narrative shifts toward justice and memory that both acknowledge suffering and constrain the urge to retaliate, emphasizing testimony and memorialization as form of redress.

Steven Veerapen, "Overlord: A New History of the Life and Reign of Henry VIII" (Simon & Schuster, 2026

Q: Could you start us off perhaps for listeners who have not heard our previous conversations together by introducing yourself a little bit, and then tell us why you decided for this project to write a book about Henry VIII?

Veerapen explains his long-standing interest in the 16th century and why Henry VIII remains a compelling subject: despite many biographies, there were still unanswered questions about Henry's broader imperial ambitions beyond the well-known focus on his wives, prompting a revisionist look at how he sought to shape England's role in the British Isles and in continental politics.

Andrew N. Buchanan and Ruth Lawlor eds., "The Greater Second World War: Global Perspectives" (Cornell UP, 2025)

Q: What does the 'paroxysm' concept add to our understanding of the war, and how does it affect our view of the ending period?

Paroxysm refers to the moment when global theatres become recognizably connected; it helps explain how the war's globality was consolidated by US leadership and the logistics, diplomacy, and labor mobilization that followed, extending effects well into the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Andrew N. Buchanan and Ruth Lawlor eds., "The Greater Second World War: Global Perspectives" (Cornell UP, 2025)

Q: Can you tell us how the project came together and what you were hoping to achieve with a global Second World War approach?

The idea emerged from a previous article and a desire to workshop a group of authors from around the world, which helped create intellectual cohesion and a shared framework that moves beyond a strict 1939–45 chronology to reveal global linkages and diverse experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions About New Books in Western European Studies

What is New Books in Western European Studies about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The channel features scholarly conversations around recently published history and humanities books, with hosts guiding in-depth discussions that connect big-picture themes to archival details and new methodologies. Recurring topics include medieval and early modern history, imperialism and global empires, war and memory, genocide studies, and cultural history across Europe and beyond. The show often highlights how authors reassess established narratives using fresh evidence, multidisciplinary methods, and cross-regional perspectives, making it valuable for researchers, advanced students, and professionals who want nuanced, idea-forward conversations that illuminate long-running historical debates and current scholarly trends. A notable str... more

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New Books in Western European Studies launched 15 years ago and published 2605 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on New Books in Western European Studies?

Recent guests on New Books in Western European Studies include:

1. Sarah Ellen Zarrow
2. Steven Veerapen
3. Katie Barclay
4. Ruth Lawlor
5. Andrew Buchanan
6. Patrick Nunn
7. Elisabeth van Houts
8. Mikuláš Pešta

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