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 | 84 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryArts | |||
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Latest Episodes
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
As the US gears up for the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July, the RAI’s podcast, The Last Best Hope?, returns for our 16th series on 13 May. As always, each episode uses history to explore what makes America ... more
To its principal author, Thomas Jefferson, it was “an expression of the American mind”; to the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, it was "absurd and visionary". The Declaration of Independence, written 250 years ago, is so layered in myth, so founda... 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 States2 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 States3 months ago Always interesting and informative.
Podcast Addict53 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 States6 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 | #184 |  Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #108 |  Spain/History |
Apple Podcasts | #160 |  Hong Kong/History |
Apple Podcasts | #188 |  Finland/History |
Apple Podcasts | #210 |  Denmark/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?
This show presents deep-dive conversations that explore contemporary America through historical perspectives, drawing on rigorous scholarship and prominent public figures. Episodes frequently center on foundational American ideas—liberty, democracy, and federalism—and examine how past events, speeches, and legal shifts inform today's political and social landscape. Guests range from high-profile politicians to leading historians and political scientists, offering nuanced readings of documents, institutions, and culture. Noteworthy is the host's ability to assemble a rotating roster of experts to illuminate complex issues with clarity, while maintaining accessible, thought-provoking storytelling that appeals to history enthusiasts and policy... 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. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
3. Past Present Future
4. Empire: World History
5. Dan Snow's History Hit
How many episodes of The Last Best Hope? are there?
The Last Best Hope? launched 6 years ago and published 84 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. Caroline Janney
2. Robert Hancock
3. Jonathan Freedland
4. Jonathan Friedland
5. Brad Skow
6. Grace Mallon
7. Lige Gould
8. Steve Sarson
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