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Artwork for The Last Best Hope?

The Last Best Hope?

Adam Smith
American Revolution
Bill Clinton
Boston Tea Party
Fascism
George H.W. Bush
Civil Rights Movement
Kennedy Assassination
U.S. Presidential Elections
Ross Perot
Lee Harvey Oswald
Samuel Adams
Boston
German American Bund
Franklin Roosevelt
Ku Klux Klan
Abraham Lincoln
Phyllis Wheatley
Dred Scott Decision
Declaration Of Independence
Belinda

Historian and broadcaster Professor Adam Smith explores the America of today through the lens of the past. Is America - as Abraham Lincoln once claimed - the last best hope of Earth?

Produced by Oxford University’s world-leading Rothermere American Institute, each story-filled episode looks at the US from the outside in – delving into the political events, conflicts, speeches and songs that have s... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes79Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The Last Best Hope?

Latest Episodes

It is one of the most famous speeches in the English language and one of the most consequential. In this special two-part documentary, we explore Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – why he gave it, what it meant, and its impact at the time and eve... more

It is one of the most famous speeches in the English language and one of the most consequential. In this special two-part documentary, we explore Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – why he gave it, what it meant, and its impact at the time and eve... more

A year on, what does Trump’s comeback say about Biden’s understanding of the country he led? Was his vision of America already obsolete — a relic of the bipartisan consensus forged in the 1950s when young Joe was coming of age? 

In this episode, we ... more

If America is the last, best hope of earth, one reason is the frontier. The frontier has been imagined as the place—or perhaps the process—through which the American character is forged—rugged individualism, the possibility of acquiring land and weal... more

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Recent Guests

Patricia Nelson Limerick
Professor of History at the University of Colorado, Boulder, author of Legacy of Conquest.
University of Colorado, Boulder
Episode: The Myth of the Frontier
Greg Grandin
Professor of History at Yale and author of The End of the Myth, which won the Pulitzer Prize.
Yale University
Episode: The Myth of the Frontier
Daniel Drezner
Distinguished professor of international politics and author
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
Episode: Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy in Historical Context
Jay Sexton
President of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, author
University of Missouri
Episode: Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy in Historical Context
Marty Baron
Former Executive Editor of the Washington Post and author of "Collision of Power, Trump, Bezos and the Washington Post"
Washington Post
Episode: Journalism and Democracy: Lessons from Walter Lippmann
Tom Arnold Forster
Author of "Walter Lippmann, An Intellectual Biography"
Princeton University Press
Episode: Journalism and Democracy: Lessons from Walter Lippmann
Patrick Andelic
Academic from the University of Northumbria
University of Northumbria
Episode: The Age of Polarization Election Special Part 4: 2016
EJ Dionne Jr.
Distinguished journalist and author, long-time op-ed columnist for the Washington Post
The Washington Post
Episode: God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America
Kristen Koba Dumay
Author of Jesus and John Wayne, professor at Calvin University
Calvin University
Episode: God and Trump: Evangelicals and Politics in today's America

Host

Adam Smith
Osborne Professor of US Political History and Director at the Rothermere American Institute, Adam Smith is a historian and broadcaster with expertise in American history and its implications on contemporary society.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 263 ratings
  • Tim Robison

    Thank you for your excellent work. I’ve especially enjoyed the Gettysburg Address show that you’ve done. Please keep up this important work, not just for the U.S. and U.K. but for the whole world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tim Robison
    United States2 months ago
  • Wasted of time

    Came for history, got politics… that didn’t age well. Out of touch which suggest if this person is a scholar he was educated by fools. No true sense of actual insight or even attempt to understand different MODERN/CURRENT political views… which I have no idea why they are even needed for historical storytelling which makes the commentary on past political stances suspect. Thankfully the episodes are short so I didn’t waste too much time. gave a second episode and try and five mins in I couldn’t ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dAnRam
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent

    I found The Last Best Hope through The Rest Is History. The guests are serious scholars, and each episode offers thought-provoking insights into the historical forces that shape modern America.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    InfamousLN
    United Statesa year ago
  • Consistently intriguing

    I love the framing of the podcast and the host and his producers bring interesting voices to the show. I have learned new things about American history from every episode. And every one is well organized and very engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KiraGould
    United Statesa year ago
  • Top Notch

    A first class podcast. Informed, thoughtful and tells you the things that you don’t already know or hear from mainstream media.

    Great to have a historian of Smith’s stature sharing such insights.

    One of the very best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ipaul321
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the depth of historical analysis and the thoughtful perspectives offered on contemporary issues.
Some reviews suggest a critique of perceived political bias, reflecting a mixed reception regarding the handling of modern political issues within historical contexts.
The quality of guests is consistently highlighted, with many being esteemed scholars and journalists who contribute significant insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#197
Japan/History
Apple Podcasts
#245
Austria/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Myth of the Frontier
Q: Why is the myth ending? Is it ending?
The myth of the frontier might be ending as society faces challenges like economic policies and climate change, transitioning to nativism and border control.
The Myth of the Frontier
Q: What is the essence of the myth of the frontier in American history?
The frontier is a bundle of images and stories that give meaning to American identity, representing a unique aspect of the United States' history of expansion.
Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy in Historical Context
Q: What national project supported American internationalism in the post-WWII era?
The legitimacy in leadership positions contributed significantly to the buy-in for internationalism.
Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy in Historical Context
Q: Could we almost go so far as to say that the last 80 years was a strange diversion in American foreign policy?
It's possible future historians may question how NATO endured so long after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy in Historical Context
Q: Does this all strike a familiar chord to you?
Yes, there's a style of talking about foreign affairs that's reminiscent of past policies.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Best Hope?

What is The Last Best Hope? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A significant examination of contemporary America is presented through historical episodes, exploring its political events, conflicts, and cultural phenomena. Highlighting key moments like the Gettysburg Address and themes such as gun control and fake news, the discussions are enriched with insights from historians and public figures. The unique perspective of analyzing the U.S. from an external viewpoint fosters a profound understanding of its identity, asking critical questions about what America represents today and how this relates to global issues.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Last Best Hope??

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Last Best Hope?:

1. The Rest Is History
2. Empire: World History
3. The Rest Is Classified
4. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
5. Journey Through Time

How many episodes of The Last Best Hope? are there?

The Last Best Hope? launched 6 years ago and published 79 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 The Last Best Hope??

Recent guests on The Last Best Hope? include:

1. Patricia Nelson Limerick
2. Greg Grandin
3. Daniel Drezner
4. Jay Sexton
5. Marty Baron
6. Tom Arnold Forster
7. Patrick Andelic
8. EJ Dionne Jr.

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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