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New Books in Intellectual History

New Books Network
Partition Of India
Postmemory
Nostalgia
Capitalism
Naturalization
Trauma
South Asia
Mikha'il Mishaqa
Denmark Vesey
Philosophy
Democratic Socialism
U.S. Constitution
Intellectual History
Plato
Marxism
Psychoanalysis
Immigration Law
10th Century Correspondence
19th Century Middle East
Colonialism

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1044Founded13 years ago
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Society & CultureHistory

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Artwork for New Books in Intellectual History

Latest Episodes

As Melissa Butcher puts it in her book The Trouble with Freedom: Love, Hate and America’s Future (Manchester UP, 2026) when asked to rank the importance of freedom to them most Americans would put it as an 11 out of 10. So, what happens when the idea... more

Amir Saemi’s exciting book Morality and Revelation in Islamic Thought and Beyond: A New Problem of Evil (Oxford UP, 2024) is a fascinating and deeply thought-provoking study that challenges how we think about scripture, morality, and divine authority... more

Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) is widely considered one of the most creative cultural critics of the twentieth century. Esteemed for his literary acumen and capacious imagination, he developed a unique style of criticism―his friend Hannah Arendt called ... more

John is joined by the brilliant and affable Paul Kramer of Vanderbilt (The Blood of Government) to discuss Capitalism: A Global History (Penguin, 2025) by Sven Beckert, Laird Bell Professor of History at Harvard University. With Christine A. Desan (R... more

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Recent Guests

Melissa Butcher
Professor and Programme Director at Cumberland Lodge
Manchester University Press author of The Trouble with Freedom, Love, Hate and America's Future
Episode: Melissa Butcher, "The Trouble with Freedom: Love, Hate and America’s Future" (Manchester UP, 2026)
Amir Saemi
Author of Morality and Revelation in Islamic Thought and Beyond, A New Problem of Evil (Oxford University Press, 2024)
Oxford University Press
Episode: Amir Saemi, "Morality and Revelation in Islamic Thought and Beyond: A New Problem of Evil" (Oxford UP, 2024)
Peter Gordon
Ababel B. James Professor of History at Harvard University; author of Walter Benjamin biography
Harvard University
Episode: Peter E. Gordon, "Walter Benjamin: The Pearl Diver" (Yale UP, 2026)
Sven Beckert
Laird Bell Professor of History, Harvard University; author of Empire of Cotton and other works
Harvard University
Episode: What's Global about Sven Beckert's Capitalism (Paul Kramer, JP)
Jeanne-Marie Jackson
Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, director of Alexander Grass Humanities Institute
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Jeanne-Marie Jackson, "The Letter of the Law in J. E. Casely Hayford's West Africa" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Mark Pennington
Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy, King's College London; author of Foucault and Liberal Political Economy, Power, Knowledge, and Freedom
King's College London / Oxford University Press
Episode: Mark Pennington, "Foucault and Liberal Political Economy: Power, Knowledge, and Freedom" (Oxford UP, 2025)
John B. Judis
Author and commentator on populism, history, and politics
Author of The Populist Explosion; Columbia Global Reports
Episode: On Trump as a “World Historical Individual” with author John B. Judis
RJ Snell
Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute; Editor-in-Chief of Public Discourse
Witherspoon Institute
Episode: The Philosophy of Hope: On Immanence and Transcendence with R.J. Snell
Susanne Vees-Gulani
Author of Icon Dresden, Baroque City, Air War Symbol, Political Token
Case Western Reserve University (Professor of German and Comparative Literature)
Episode: Susanne Vees-Gulani, 'Icon Dresden: Baroque City, Air War Symbol, Political Token" (U Michigan Press, 2026)

Host

Dr. Miranda Melcher
One of the primary hosts, contributing to various episodes that discuss a wide range of topics in intellectual history

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 118 ratings
  • Excellent book selection, not always great interviews

    The concept was always unique. These books, mostly from academic presses and mostly in the humanities, have long failed to receive the attention they deserve. There are obviously limits to how many books in these areas can be reviewed in the NYT, NYRB and the LRB and other publications of that type. Yet in the field of intellectual history the quality of the interviewers is highly variable. One must be instantly suspicious of those such as Morteza Hajizadeh who are a fixture in this series, revi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sidneyhart
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such a great show

    Great discussions - thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C Rattat
    United Statesa year ago
  • Unqualified interviewers

    Not sure how a 'grants researcher' for medicine & science qualifies as an interviewer on issues dealing with intellectual & religious history. The bench at NB Network can't be that shallow can it?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    t78tt.r
    United States4 years ago
  • Simon Critchley

    The host for that episode asked profoundly dumb question. He almost implied the program was about him and his questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Hardy5414
    United States4 years ago
  • Sound needs urgent attention

    Excellent material, but frustrating to have the sound phasing in and out and distorted. Is there a way to record both sound sources and edit together, rather than record a zoom call from just one end? It might help. I’ve had to abandon several tracks because I can’t follow what’s being said.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JFPhil
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners have noted a variability in interviewers' effectiveness, suggesting that improvement in this area could enhance the overall experience.
There are mixed reviews regarding the interview quality, with some expressing concerns about hosts' expertise in specific subjects.
The podcast is commended for addressing complex themes in accessible language, appealing to a broader audience interested in history and culture.
Technical aspects like audio quality have received criticism, but the content is often praised as insightful and intellectually stimulating.
Listeners appreciate the depth and quality of discussions on lesser-known scholarly works.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#148
Poland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Amir Saemi, "Morality and Revelation in Islamic Thought and Beyond: A New Problem of Evil" (Oxford UP, 2024)
Q: What is the central problem Saemi addresses in the book?
A tension among the divinity of scripture, the existence of seemingly morally troubling passages, and the reliability of modern moral judgments, which he calls the new problem of evil.
The Philosophy of Hope: On Immanence and Transcendence with R.J. Snell
Q: How does your guest's book reconcile Catholic theology with a broader, ecumenical audience seeking hope?
The book presents a Catholic framework for hope grounded in theological virtues while arguing that its core insights about human action, integrity, and the transcendent can be adapted to non-Catholic contexts by focusing on anthropology, virtue, and authentic forms of re-enchantment that respect difference.
The Philosophy of Hope: On Immanence and Transcendence with R.J. Snell
Q: What is the central problem with disenchantment, and how does it relate to hope?
Disenchantment flattens reality into an immanent frame where the sacred recedes; hope then must be grounded not in magical substitutes but in recognizing a transcendent horizon that can still inform and enliven everyday life, including moral and political action.
Mark Pennington, "Foucault and Liberal Political Economy: Power, Knowledge, and Freedom" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: What stance do you take on freedom—negative versus positive freedom—and how does that relate to identity politics?
Pennington argues for a nuanced form of negative freedom, warning that aggressive positive freedom narratives and identity-politics categorization can in fact constrain people's freedom by imposing rigid norms and 'cultural cartelization' rather than enabling self-creation.
Mark Pennington, "Foucault and Liberal Political Economy: Power, Knowledge, and Freedom" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: How do you characterize overgovernment, and why is it important for rethinking liberalism today?
The guest describes overgovernment as a network of private, public, and civil society power that operates through surveillance and discourses, not just direct commands, thereby narrowing freedom without obvious coercion, which requires revisiting liberal assumptions about state power and autonomy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About New Books in Intellectual History

What is New Books in Intellectual History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations in this series revolve around the exploration of significant scholarly works within the field of intellectual history, often emphasizing the intersection of ideas, culture, and society. Most episodes feature in-depth discussions with authors who have released influential books, covering a wide range of topics, including prominent historical figures, philosophical movements, and the evolution of various intellectual paradigms. The content tends to engage with complex themes such as colonialism, the dynamics of power, and the formative impacts of diverse ideological perspectives throughout history.

What distinguishes this series is its commitment to making complex academic discussions accessible to a broader audience, fostering... more

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2. Past Present Future
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New Books in Intellectual History launched 13 years ago and published 1044 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 Intellectual History?

Recent guests on New Books in Intellectual History include:

1. Melissa Butcher
2. Amir Saemi
3. Peter Gordon
4. Sven Beckert
5. Jeanne-Marie Jackson
6. Mark Pennington
7. John B. Judis
8. RJ Snell

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