Prejudices, second series

The opening of this collection invites listeners into a thoughtful tour of the ideas that have shaped modern thought. Beginning with Emerson’s 1837 address and Whitman’s later prophecies, the author traces how a self‑conscious literary class was imagined to become the backbone of American democracy. The essay blends quotation and commentary, setting a tone that is both scholarly and conversational.

From that literary foundation the book wanders through a surprising variety of subjects: a forensic look at Roosevelt’s legacy, a vivid portrait of the Sahara of the Bozart, probing musings on music, hope, love, and the role of the artist in society. Each section reads like a lively lecture, peppered with historical anecdotes and sharp observations that feel relevant today. Listeners will find a mosaic of cultural criticism that asks big questions while remaining grounded in lively prose.