The Ezra Klein ShowJul 27, 2021

Ross Douthat Has Been ‘Radicalized a Little Bit, Too’

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for Ross Douthat Has Been ‘Radicalized a Little Bit, Too’ on The Ezra Klein Show.

Notable books mentioned: Insecure Majorities by Frances Lee, Why We're Polarized, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, the 1619 Project by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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Mentioned at 24:55

Insecure Majorities

Frances Lee

The host references 'Insecure Majorities' to highlight how the lack of a consistently dominant political party contributes to polarization and legi…

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Mentioned at 25:38

Why We're Polarized

The host briefly mentions their own book in relation to the topic of polarization. This indicates a personal connection but does not delve deeply i…

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Mentioned at 28:58

Hillbilly Elegy

J.D. Vance

The host mentions 'Hillbilly Elegy' to illustrate J.D. Vance's transformation from a thoughtful commentator on cultural issues to a more combative…

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Ross Douthat Has Been ‘Radicalized a Little Bit, Too’

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Episode summary, books & quotes

Ross Douthat Has Been ‘Radicalized a Little Bit, Too’ mentions Insecure Majorities by Frances Lee, Why We're Polarized, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, and the 1619 Project by Ta-Nehisi Coates with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Insecure Majorities Why We're Polarized Hillbilly Elegy the 1619 Project

Episode summary

Am I too panicked about the future of American democracy? My colleague Ross Douthat thinks so. He points to research suggesting that voter ID laws and absentee voting have modest effects on elections and the reality that Republican state officials already have tremendous power to alter election outcomes — powers they did not use in the aftermath of 2020 and show few signs of preparing to use now. So I invited Ross on the show to hash it out: Am I too alarmed, or is he too chill? We also talk about his trio of recent columns trying to find a middle ground in the fight over how America understands, and teaches, it’s own history; as well as how his own medical struggles with treatment-resistant Lyme disease have shaped how he’s understood and covered the coronavirus. Mentioned: "Can Anything End the Voting Wars?" by Ross Douthat Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign by Frances Lee "What Progressives Want, and What Conservatives Are Fighting" by Ross Douthat "The Excesses of Antiracist Education" by Ross Douthat "Why a Patriotic Education Can Be Valuable" by Ross Douthat "Why the Lab Leak Theory Matters" by Ross Douthat "Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival" by Skyler B. Johnson, Henry S. Park, Cary P. Gross and James B. Yu The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Recovery by Ross Douthat "The War That Made Our World" by Ross Douthat Book recommendations: Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766 by Fred Anderson Champlain's Dream by David Hackett Fischer Mom Genes: Inside the New Science of Our Ancient Maternal Instinct by Abigail Tucker You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "The Ezra Klein Show" at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. “The Ezra Klein Show” is produced by Annie Galvin, Jeff Geld and Rogé Karma; fact-checking by Michelle Harris; original music by Isaac Jones; mixing by Jeff Geld, audience strategy by Shannon Busta. Special thanks to Kristin Lin.

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The conversation centers on French and Indian War.
A second recurring theme is Lyme disease and COVID-19.
Referenced books include Insecure Majorities by Frances Lee and Why We're Polarized.
The strongest audience signal points to Political scientists and those interested in American political dynamics and Readers interested in societal issues.

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Top triggers

French and Indian War(2)Lyme disease and COVID-19(1)polarization in American politics(1)polarization in society(1)Republican Party dynamics(1)science of maternal instinct(1)teaching American history(1)therapeutic anti-racism(1)

Mention sentiment

Highly Recommended(3)Critical Analysis(2)Deep Dive(2)Passing Reference(2)

Audience signals

Political scientists and those interested in American political dynamicsReaders interested in societal issuesPolitical analysts and those interested in contemporary Republican politicsEducators and those interested in racial historyIndividuals interested in racial justice and education reform.Readers interested in chronic illness and public health debates.

Books Mentioned

Insecure Majorities

Frances Lee

Best for Political scientists and those interested in American political dynamicsOften cited around polarization in American politics

“Frances Lee argues that a lot of the polarization and intense campaign strategies stem from the lack of a consistently dominant party in American politics.”

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: polarization in American politics

For: Political scientists and those interested in American political dynamics

Key quote: “There's a great book by Frances Lee, the political scientist called Insecure Majorities.”

The host references 'Insecure Majorities' to highlight how the lack of a consistently dominant political party contributes to polarization and legislative conflict in Congress. Frances Lee's analysis provides insight into the historical context of American political dynamics and the implications for governance.

ASIN: B01JIOMRXG

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Why We're Polarized

Best for Readers interested in societal issuesOften cited around polarization in society

“The speaker mentions discussing the polarization in their own book, indicating a personal connection to the topic.”

View mention details

Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: polarization in society

For: Readers interested in societal issues

Key quote: “The speaker mentions discussing the polarization in their own book, indicating a personal connection to the topic.”

The host briefly mentions their own book in relation to the topic of polarization. This indicates a personal connection but does not delve deeply into the book's content.

ASIN: 5614985123

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Hillbilly Elegy

J.D. Vance

Best for Political analysts and those interested in contemporary Republican politicsOften cited around Republican Party dynamics

“J.D. Vance's book discusses cultural failings in Appalachian white communities and individual responsibility.”

View mention details

Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: Republican Party dynamics

For: Political analysts and those interested in contemporary Republican politics

Key quote: “The person I'll use here as the example is J.D. Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy, big figure a couple of years ago, now running for Senate in Ohio.”

The host mentions 'Hillbilly Elegy' to illustrate J.D. Vance's transformation from a thoughtful commentator on cultural issues to a more combative political figure. This shift reflects broader trends within the Republican Party as candidates adopt more aggressive strategies to appeal to the electorate.

ASIN: B0DNZ3Z3MT

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the 1619 Project

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Best for Educators and those interested in racial historyOften cited around teaching American history

“The 1619 Project is referenced as part of a broader attempt to deepen understanding of America's racial history, particularly in relation to slavery.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: teaching American history

For: Educators and those interested in racial history

Key quote: “I'm very sympathetic to the 60-19, you know, Tomasi Coates.”

The host mentions 'the 1619 Project' to highlight its role in the ongoing debate about how American history, particularly racial history, is taught in schools. This book is seen as a significant contribution to understanding the impact of slavery and segregation on contemporary racial divisions in America.

ASIN: B08ZJSGTGD

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Anti-Racist Baby

Ibram Kendi

Best for Individuals interested in racial justice and education reform.Often cited around therapeutic anti-racism

“The mention of Ibram Kendi's book 'Anti-Racist Baby' highlights its role in discussions about structural racism and therapeutic anti-racism.”

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Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: therapeutic anti-racism

For: Individuals interested in racial justice and education reform.

Key quote: “he has his book Anti-Racist Baby for a reason.”

The host discusses the emergence of therapeutic anti-racism and its association with figures like Ibram Kendi. They mention Kendi's book 'Anti-Racist Baby' as part of a broader critique of contemporary approaches to racial issues.

ASIN: 0593110501

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The Deep Places

Best for Readers interested in chronic illness and public health debates.Often cited around Lyme disease and COVID-19

“I just wrote a book about this, which is out in the fall. The book ends with a chapter on the coronavirus experience.”

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Lyme disease and COVID-19

For: Readers interested in chronic illness and public health debates.

Key quote: “The book ends with a chapter on the coronavirus experience.”

The host mentions 'The Deep Places' to highlight their personal journey with Lyme disease and how it has influenced their perspective on the coronavirus pandemic. The book explores the complexities of chronic illness and the limitations of medical consensus, which parallels the ongoing debates surrounding COVID-19.

ASIN: 0593237366

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The Crucible of War

Fred Anderson

Best for Anyone interested in American history and historical debatesOften cited around French and Indian War

“A book about the French and Indian war that raises interesting questions for contemporary debates about race and history in America.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: French and Indian War

For: Anyone interested in American history and historical debates

Key quote: “I'm going to recommend that people read a book about the French and Indian war called The Crucible of War by Fred Anderson that came out, I think, about 15 years ago.”

The host mentions 'The Crucible of War' to highlight its significance in understanding the complexities of the French and Indian War and its implications for contemporary discussions on race and history. He believes it is an underappreciated yet crucial part of modern Western history that raises important questions.

ASIN: B004RT6KDQ

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Champlain's Dream

David Hackett Fischer

Best for Listeners interested in American historyOften cited around French and Indian War

“A book about Samuel de Champlain and the founding of New France, which is an interesting read for those interested in American history.”

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Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: French and Indian War

For: Listeners interested in American history

Key quote: “I could go read Champlain's Dream by David Hackett Fischer, who is most famous in our circles as the author of Albion Seed.”

The host mentions 'Champlain's Dream' as a follow-up recommendation for those interested in the complexities of New France after discussing the French and Indian War. It highlights the significance of Samuel de Champlain in American history and encourages further exploration of the topic.

ASIN: B00BR5H5MI

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Mom Jeans

Abigail Tucker

Best for Readers interested in parenting and psychologyOften cited around science of maternal instinct

“A new book about the science of the maternal instinct, recommended as a change from reading about American history.”

View mention details

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: science of maternal instinct

For: Readers interested in parenting and psychology

Key quote: “my wife has a new book out called Mom Jeans that's about the science of the maternal instinct”

The host mentions 'Mom Jeans' as a significant shift from the previous discussion on American history, highlighting its focus on the science behind maternal instincts. This recommendation serves to broaden the audience's understanding of different subjects, particularly in the realm of parenting and psychology.

ASIN: B0DY2NTTK8

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