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American culture

One piece of culture that defines America

John Fea   |  June 20, 2023

The New York Times asked its columnists to pick one piece of culture that “captures the true spirit of our country.” Here is what they came up with: Ezra Klein: “Her” Maureen Dowd: “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” Ross Douthat: […]

The Author’s Corner with Jennifer Helgren

Rachel Petroziello   |  January 19, 2023

Jennifer Helgren is Professor of History and Chair of the History Department at University of the Pacific. This interview is based on her new book, The Camp Fire Girls: Gender, Race, and American Girlhood, 1910–1980 (University of Nebraska Press, 2022). JF: […]

Episode 106: “Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Long Walk Home'”

John Fea   |  December 5, 2022

In this episode we chat with historian Jonathan D. Cohen about his edited collection Long Walk Home: Reflections on Bruce Springsteen and the current state of “Springsteen Studies.” We also ask Cohen if there is any connection between his current book, For a Dollar […]

The Author’s Corner with Catherine V. Bateson

Rachel Petroziello   |  November 4, 2022

Catherine V. Bateson is Associate Lecturer of American History and American Studies Chief Examiner at the University of Kent. This interview is based on her new book, Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood (LSU Press, 2022). JF: […]

The Author’s Corner with Alex Zakaras

Rachel Petroziello   |  October 21, 2022

Alex Zakaras is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont. This interview is based on his new book, The Roots of American Individualism: Political Myth in the Age of Jackson (Princeton University Press, 2022). JF: What led […]

The Author’s Corner with Sam Lebovic

Rachel Petroziello   |  May 16, 2022

Sam Lebovic is Associate Professor of History at George Mason University. This interview is based on his new book, A Righteous Smokescreen: Postwar America and the Politics of Cultural Globalization (University of Chicago Press, 2022). JF: What led you to […]

Most Americans “do not learn piano from the age of five, do not attend private school” and “do not have SAT tutors”

John Fea   |  July 15, 2021

According to Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, the members of the “aspirational class,” for all their tree-hugging and wokeness, have lost their way. Here is a taste of her piece at The Hedgehog Review: According to the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, cultural capital […]

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