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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
Boston
Samuel Adams
Ku Klux Klan
Franklin Roosevelt
German American Bund
Abraham Lincoln
Declaration Of Independence
Phyllis Wheatley
Belinda
Dred Scott Decision

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes82Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArts

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Artwork for The Last Best Hope?

Latest Episodes

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

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

For much of the twentieth century, progressives in America wanted to expand the Federal Government. They created regulation, bureaucracy, and agencies capable of managing a complex industrial society. And often state governments were the obstacles th... more

Hillary Rodham Clinton has been at the centre of American public life for thirty years. She has exercised more power from more senior positions than any other woman in American history. Clinton has just co-edited a new book Inside the Situation Room:... more

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Recent Guests

Brad Skow
Professor of Philosophy, MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Why the Declaration of Independence said what it did, Episode 2
Steve Sarson
Author and commentator on the Revolution
Author of The Course of Human Events
Episode: Why the Declaration of Independence said what it did, Episode 2
Lige Gould
Professor of History
University of New Hampshire
Episode: Why the Declaration of Independence said what it did, Episode 2
Grace Mallon
Clive Holmes Fellow in History at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Episode: Why the Declaration of Independence said what it did, Episode 1
Emily Zackin
Associate Professor in Political Science at Johns Hopkins and Winant Professor of American Government at Oxford
Johns Hopkins
Episode: Can federalism save American liberalism?
Daniel Korobkin
Judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals and former Legal Director of the ACLU in Michigan
Michigan Court of Appeals
Episode: Can federalism save American liberalism?
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State
Episode: Hillary Rodham Clinton on how America can save itself
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State and political figure
Episode: New Series Trailer: What’s Coming Next
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

Host

Adam Smith
Host and broadcaster; Professor of US Political History; Director of the Rothermere American Institute

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 267 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    2
    vesprally
    United Statesa month ago
  • Always interesting and informative.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    grand_jambon
    2 months ago
  • 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 States5 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 States9 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

Listeners Say

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

High-quality scholarly discussion that connects past and present.
Occasional critiques regarding perceived bias, but consistently insightful.
Calm, analytical narration with accessible delivery.
Thoughtful, well-researched and engaging with strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#60
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#222
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can federalism save American liberalism?
Q: Are we at an inflection point in the story of American federalism?
Yes, there are shifts in who is making federalism claims, with more currently coming from the left.
Hillary Rodham Clinton on how America can save itself
Q: Do we still believe that everything wrong with America can be put right with what's right with America?
Clinton affirms that the belief remains strong, citing recent electoral victories as signs of hope.
Hillary Rodham Clinton on how America can save itself
Q: How would you assess the impact of your 1995 speech in Beijing?
Clinton believes it was a pivotal moment that laid out an agenda for women's equality, though recent years show a regression against those advances.
Hillary Rodham Clinton on how America can save itself
Q: What shaped your idea of your country and its role?
Clinton reflects on the lessons from her family and education, emphasizing America's ongoing work towards equality and justice.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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. The Rest Is Classified
4. Empire: World History
5. The Book Club

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

The Last Best Hope? launched 6 years ago and published 82 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. Brad Skow
2. Steve Sarson
3. Lige Gould
4. Grace Mallon
5. Emily Zackin
6. Daniel Korobkin
7. Hillary Rodham Clinton
8. Hillary Clinton

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