The Last Best Hope?
Adam SmithAbraham Lincoln called the United States “the last best hope of Earth.” In this podcast, we ask whether that claim still holds — and whether it ever did.
Each episode takes a figure, idea, or moment in American political history and asks what it tells us about the country’s understanding of itself, always with an eye to how America looks from the outside in. The Last Best Hope? takes ideas serio... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 86 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsHistory | |||
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Latest Episodes
In the bicentennial summer of 1976, the United States staged what was, by some measures, the largest single celebration in the country’s history. Tall ships in New York harbor. Fireworks over the Mall. Specially-minted bicentennial quarters. A made-f... more
Is there anything more distinctively American than its sports culture?
In a previous episode of this podcast, we discussed the tragic decline and partial revival of American cricket. As the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the US Adam asks why a sport th... more
The rebels who tried to break up the United States in the 1860s thought of themselves as the rightful heirs to the spirit of 1776. The South Carolina Declaration of the Causes of Secession took the Declaration of Independence as its template. Washing... more
For 250 years, the idea of America and the fact of American power have unsettled British politics. Is America of us, or apart from us? Rival or special friend? In the British political imagination, America has provoked envy, resentment, condescension... more
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Reviews
- Excellent pod
I heard Adam Smith on the Rest is History and came over and listened to an episode and now I’m hooked. The episode on Richard Hofstadter’s Paranoid Style was so good! This is such a great pod!
Apple Podcasts5Antonia Shimerda
United States3 months ago - Shame
People that follow these history podcast, except some political bias coming from liberal professors. I’ve always enjoyed dates ,facts and reflections of the people other time….
But after listening to Steve Scafidi blow hard rant( during Lincoln’s address)
It’s quite shameful !
Unfollowing
Apple Podcasts2vesprallyUnited States4 months ago Always interesting and informative.
Podcast Addict55 months agogrand_jambon- 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 Podcasts5Tim RobisonUnited States8 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 Podcasts1dAnRamUnited Statesa year ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #150 |  United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #169 |  Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #237 |  Germany/History |
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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 historically grounded, academically rigorous discussion on American political history and its global context. Episodes center on figures, ideas, and moments in U.S. history, explored through conversations with leading scholars and public intellectuals. A recurring strength is pairing stellar historians with political thinkers to illuminate how past debates shape current national identity, democracy, and American influence abroad. Noteworthy is the consistency of high-caliber guest selections and a willingness to tackle big questions—such as federalism, civil rights, and national myth-making—from multiple scholarly angles. Potential listeners include history enthusiasts, policy professionals, and students seeking deep, context-rich analysi... more
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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. The Rest Is Politics
How many episodes of The Last Best Hope? are there?
The Last Best Hope? launched 6 years ago and published 86 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. Frank Guridy
2. Uta Balbier
3. Caroline Janney
4. Robert Hancock
5. Jonathan Freedland
6. Jonathan Friedland
7. Brad Skow
8. Grace Mallon
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