A Classicist Farmer: The Life and Times of Victor Davis Hanson | Uncommon Knowledge

Recorded on May 11, 2023.
Over the years, Hoover senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson has graced Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson many times, often referring to his family home and farm outside of Selma, in California’s Central Valley. So for this interview, we decided to go to Selma and see where Hanson grew up and still lives and where several generations of his family-going back to the mid-19th century-have lived and worked the land. In part one of this two-part interview, we cover Hanson’s rich and fascinating family history and the sweeping changes he’s lived through in terms of both the business of farming and its social life. In part two (coming in two weeks), we’ll cover the political scene, including the upcoming presidential election.
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00:00 Family history: California through the 20th century
14:11 The women in my family
16:24 Childhood and formative years
22:39 Challenges of having a degree in Classics
26:30 Warfare Agriculture: How his agrarian background informed his work on Greek warfare
32:32 Why has there been a sharp decline in people in agriculture?
38:17 The Case for Trump
43:36 Selma’s decline: Inevitable or a result of bad policies?
47:40 Mexifornia: The challenges of illegal immigration?
56:53 The Land Was Everything: The importance of autonomy in today’s world

[@chefmichaelt]

I’m a 7th generation Californian from Spanish /Mexican heritage on my mother’s side, 3rd generation Italian immigrants on my father’s side, resident of the San Francisco Bay Area my entire 67 years of life. I am a Christian conservative. It saddens me to see the deterioration of this beautiful state. I used to thank God that I was blessed to be born here. Now I pray to God that he will intervene and restore the blessings in my lifetime.

[@hoawarrior9060]

I am native Californian also and was so grateful to grow up there. Today, you can not pay me to live there. So sad.

[@michaelart4878]

Blessings in JESUS name. A-men' 🌿

[@kzoo4053]

Realistically, I’m afraid you will not see that happening.

[@mariaguzman1552]

I feel the same way.

[@angelatakano6072]

The woke have destroyed it :( 😢

[@cdmcmxcvi1249]

Victor is a treasure to his fellow countrymen

[@Acke1959]

Before we had a lot of men like him, here in Sweden. Now there is different type of people who take over the country, wearing hijab and pray 5 times a day insterad of working.

[@monicahart3071]

Yes he sure is!

[@user-rf4lc3vt7o]

God Bless VHD🙏 I graduated from Fresno State and remembering riding my bike..the sweet farm aroma of a quiet summer evening.

[@glendavis1266]

Your opinion.

[@elijahFree2000]

He was a cheerleader for Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2003, something he would like people to forget

[@megansovik5629]

Absolutely brilliant VDH never speaks a foolish or untrue word. Thank you.

[@ELL289]

That might be overstating things, but I get why you admire him.

[@barbarabehrmann976]

Victor Davis Hanson makes the case for the power of coming from and excellent family-- no government will ever outlast the family--Why because God himself business is the family

[@Bart_Mazur]

My family came to the U.S in the early1990s from Poland as soon as the Iron Curtain fell. We looked up to America. We felt and still do today that the Anglo-Saxon, western culture is superior. We felt very lucky that we could come, that American welcomed us. I still remember my parents listening to Radio Free Europe and keeping the volume very low out of fear that one of our neighbors would hear us and possibly report us when we were kids. Today, I feel very lucky to be a U.S citizen and I support our disabled veterans' charities. Just so I could pay back in small part to the country that I love.

[@richarddetriquet9642]

That my friend is what made America great. Its not the Trumps, Bidens, Clintons etc. Its the people like your family and those like you that have made the American experiment continue.

[@Acke1959]

Today, we europeans should look up to Poland (and Hungary) instead of the USA.

[@foxtrotjulietbravo5536]

Poland and Hungary are the two countries in Europe that I admire most. I respect how they have chosen to protect their independent, individualistic societies and resist the trend to be swallowed by a globalist hegemony.

[@jp5419]

This... you... is America. Glad you're here ❤😉👏🙏

[@mossyoakmom8880]

That is very lovely Ryan. People like you have been a big part of making America a wonderful country. Now the world powers are trying to tear it down from within.

[@desertpirate9413]

VDH is not just a brilliant mind, he is also a great story teller. Listening to him is like going into a time trip in history.

[@rdyplyr2141]

Agree, I love listening to him while I work.

[@glendavis1266]

Not me, the Hoover Institute tells the motivation of this presentation. Let’s critique everyone and everything that is not ultra conservative.

[@daryllynn5406]

Hear hear!

[@Norm475]

This man is a national treasure. I have the utmost respect for him. I can relate to him in his early years. My family was very poor and I worked alongside migrant workers picking and weeding beans when I was seven years old. Later on, I picked strawberries, then when I was 13 or so I baled hay. Every summer I worked.

[@es6544]

He is a hypocrite.

[@terriejohnson6498]

​@es6544 who are you ranking about.

[@TuTuFox]

I remember Bush saying (Americans won't pick strawberries etc or clean homes) WHAT A LIE😡 I cleaned homes for over 30 yrs & now that I am in my 70's my body feels those yrs of cleaning. Arthritis in all my joints & I live with the pain daily. You picked strawberries etc & Im sure many Americans did all those things Bush said we won't do. After he said that I had no trust in him & since then the Bush family has shown their true colors👎🏽

[@pg618]

Born in San Francisco, abandoned by my parents at age 7, became a rebel hippie in my teenage years, moved to South America and made and distributed hallucinogenics in the upper Amazon, almost died of hepatitis, became a Christian, taught myself to read at 19, searched church history and became an Antiochian Orthodox Christian, bought an Amish farm in Ohio where I raised my children and see myself as a conservative hippie internationalist philosopher priest in the garden uniting heaven and Earth. Now at age 71 I'm thinking of getting a high school diploma. One of my dreams is that I could meet and talk with V. D. H.

[@barbarabehrmann976]

Isn’t it amazing what the thinking mind can to know than a Stanford knows today

[@jacobmasters438]

Wow! That's an incredible life journey so far. Hope your dream comes true.

[@Paul-th9vr]

I remember the first time I heard Victor Hanson and how much I was blown away by his knowledge and his razor sharp insights into the history of many different cultures and his expertise in the workings of the US government and political system. Victor Hanson is one of a few men who are incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful about the need for a system that benefits as many citizens as possible. Thomas Sowell is another example of a national treasure for Americans. Peter you are awesome too, you are my favourite interviewer and you deserve so much credit for your hard work and dedication to your country. Thank you both and God bless.

[@oldkoot5828]

Ditto!

[@brucehutch5419]

Agree The same Dittos

[@patriciatoth7715]

💯 Also Michael Savage!!

[@Coolpoolers]

Ditto for me as well!

[@christopherrobbins9985]

Brilliant insights from VDH. We've lost our connection to the land and, even more so, our connection to God.

[@Coolpoolers]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 So true!

[@ph0605]

Totally agree.

[@FlatFifties]

In a world where most people think like children, mister Hanson is a man who thinks like an adult.

[@weibherrman]

Wow to have that house in the family for that long, and to be born and die in the same ROOM, must be incredible.

[@grzegorzrozynski8659]

Remarkable sense of belonging...

[@naj70]

I have also heard Victor make this comments (similar to how he finishes in this interview): 1. His mother said to him: “To keep the farm, you must get a non-Farm income”. 2. The Hobbesian view of the world (or as he said the adversarial forces) - that be it bad weather, climate or bad luck; be it a bad policy (that drops raisin prices 70%), or accidents or fraternal ruptures; or high costs; or bad water (irrigation policy) - all these forces conspire against you from “keeping the family farm”. So to keep the farm is a Demanding, ceaseless effort - with all the contingencies, guile and smarts needed. Victor is an American treasure. I am 52- he (and his parents generation)reminds me of a generation of my parents uncles and aunts - VDH being clearer and so articulate (with antiquities references and perspective) - that life was hard (hunger, war, going without) - but you lived, endured, we’re happy).

[@Ketofit62]

Is he married?😂

[@brucehutch5419]

​@@Ketofit62. Yes and he has grown children.

[@robertmacaulay3051]

What a fine clear sighted man. I’m British and was a farmer but gave it up in my early fifties. I have never heard anyone express so clearly and well, the importance of having a reasonably large part of the population with an independent view and an ability to understand and cope with life with all that it throws at you. I became a lawyer and was shocked at the lack of the other people in the firm to deal with physical things that needed fixing. Thank you so much.

[@angelatakano6072]

He is an example of a typical smart, capable and wholesome American man of the old times, as doesn’t probably exist anymore

[@markallred1953]

My father grew up under a father who was the village blacksmith and wheelwright until manufactured goods and spark welding put him out of business. Self repair was just the way that things were done. Baling wire and the Crecent wrench were essential resources. My legacy became auto repair however was needed, so I have replaced carburators, oil pumps, coolant pumps, engine heads, timing belts, and whatever else mechanical failed in my life. Dad became an esteemed electrical engineer and I followed him into engineering. The old farm went derelect after all of the 6 sons left it for other ambitions.

[@janetpursel626]

@@angelatakano6072 So impressed with him! I didn't think real men like him still existed!! Please, all that claim to be real men stand up and take Our Precious America back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just an elderly women praying some how it all can be turned around with God's help!!

[@jannichi6431]

Small isolated reactionary soul. He'll admit it with pride.

[@robertmacaulay3051]

@@jannichi6431 but surely not isolated

[@mistersteve5354]

Even if you took from this man every title, honor, degree, and professional position, he would still be what he genuinely is...a truly great man.

[@paulforbes1217]

Dr. Hanson is a national treasure.

[@ruoftheway]

I just cant get a handle on His commitment to writing, a huge volume of work.

[@bobdevine4906]

Bravo! Born in ‘54, raised on a 160 acre farm in Iowa, worked 30 years in the defense industry; I’ve found my voice/my heart in VDH. Thank You!

[@jebjeb1498]

What an admirable man,scholar and farmer.I never miss his podcasts.Thank you for interviewing him,Peter.

[@simbrow3001]

Scoffed at by professional classicists ... so there is that. Suggested read: Greek Warfare. Myths and Realities by Van Wees.

[@carefulmovers431]

​@@simbrow3001😅 3:12 9l no😊 3:12😅😅😮😅😅you l8

[@carefulmovers431]

​@@simbrow3001😅😅😅

[@carefulmovers431]

😊😊😊the 😊9😅 😊I will 😱 it for 😊😊

[@elijahFree2000]

His support for Bush's war in Iraq in 2003 was hardly admirable.

[@adamsmith-wi3qg]

Why is this not a 72 hr series?!? I've read several of his books and listened to him for years but I didnt realize what a fascinating family story he has. Edit: having finished this interview - it will be a multi-generation effort to produce men like this again, but it's hard to think of a worthier thing to attempt. I know my dad has tried, and I'll be doing the same.

[@josiemascorro9701]

A most beautiful and humble man; Victor Hansen thank you for all your writings and talks!

[@oldkoot5828]

I certainly hope that Victor lives a long life - America needs this man!

[@juliaagnes7]

Learning to grow your own food, preserve it, understand the cycles of the season, how animals become food are all skills that I use daily. It's noble & respectful to understand how things work, to be able to fix other things & solve problems without using cash has been invaluable in my life.

[@garethyoung6067]

Beautiful. Not many folk can talk like this without using the Politics of envy or guilt or jealousy.😢

[@goodtalker]

My dad thumbed his was way to Brawley, California in January 1942. He was originally from the South. He was only 15 years old, but my grandmother--who eventually joined him--lied and said he was 13. A few years later my dad was drafted into the Army, and his younger brother was also drafted but saw action in Korea. He was only 20 years old and was killed in combat. My dad never, ever got over it. VDH's stories are so much like my families is isn't even funny. They were people of agriculture, the land, cattle and cotton and produce. They were tough, industrious, and had a great spirit for The West. Thanks for sharing Victor.

[@kyubre]

What an outstanding interview with a most humble and yet brilliant intellect. Thank you!

[@gloriabonnifield9740]

This video had me glued because everything Mr Hanson said is so true. I live 20 minutes away from Selma and was born the same year as he it saddens me to see what has happened to the valley and the state. We have become a laughing stock when we use to be admired by all.

[@samadams9023]

VDH is a national treasure.

[@ktrigg2]

VDH, a national treasure.

[@jamesschaffner4916]

One of the BEST interviews and insights of VDH I've seen...Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

[@royolstad8532]

One of the finest voices in my generation. Thank you very much

[@mistysowards7365]

Tremendous interview, well done. VDH is an American treasure. If only 40% of the professors in this country were as good as VDH this country would be on the verge of a major common sensicle breakthrough and would surely prosper.

[@highlandlakecottage4276]

We need more people like VDH - he is brilliant but equally practical.

[@OvertonLeveller]

may God give him a loooong life, we need him!

[@smvw4447]

Always engrossing to listen to VDH talk and Peter is such a courteous respectful and understanding man. Thank you both.

[@ramonazteca]

thanks, hoover institution. what a narrative! only a (real) historian like dr hanson could give such detail and richness to his family history. i'm envious.

[@Metaphix]

No idea his daughter died in her 20's that's terrible. God bless this great man he is a valuable asset to the country.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Sixth generation Californians living in the Sierra foothills (red area) and I so LOVED this interview and highly recommend Victor Davis Hanson's book The Dying Citizen!

[@Sarcasmses]

> Recorded on May 11, 2024 Peter Robinson and Victor Davis Hanson...FROM THE FUTURE. Truly a one of a kind treat!

[@jillclark6076]

VDH is my hero. Thank you for such a wonderful, thoughtful interview. In a world of a lot of noise and nonsense, Dr. Hanson is a voice of reason.

[@SusanH4626]

I have learned so much from listening to him! Wish I had a teacher like him when I was in High School/college!

[@eugeniashen4819]

My highest respect goes to Dr. Hanson.

[@Zuzana1fan]

Victor is brilliant!! Now I need to read his books.

[@voyd1507]

I have the highest respect for the Man. Thank you for sharing this conversation

[@oldkoot5828]

I listen to this man every chance that I get!

[@mrragogna2282]

Thank you for this interview. I've always respected VDH but listening to him today my respect has grown immensely. God bless Victor.

[@jeffphillips916]

VDH…one of the few bright lights in dark times…

[@donnagaxiola9675]

So refreshing to see and listen to a humble human being.

[@EricLV2020]

Peter you're great and we love your work. Wish you all the best.

[@jesusmysavior2424]

❤❤❤ May God bless two of you. So pleasure seeing VDH’s farm

[@deesantiago368]

I adore VDH so much. He is so smart, and a great patriot. I wish I could thank him for his contribution to the betterment of the United States of America.

[@Christian___]

I love both of these guys

[@guillermoericksonsauza4838]

I’m an agave farmer on my third career in Mexico. Living in a house my grandfather built. & also a 5th generation farmer! Appreciate your insights!

[@MFJoneser]

A very rare conversation. Thank you for creating and sharing this.

[@ceeb3192]

I could listen to Victor all day! Brilliant mind of knowledge, wisdom and understanding. National treasure indeed. He is EXACTLY what this culture needs. Thank you Victor Davis Hanson. Proverbs 4:5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

[@roberthumphreys7977]

Victor is a beacon in the fog that our country now lives in. That fog gets thicker each year. After two and a half years of Brandon, it is what the Brits called a “pea souper”. Keep the light on, Victor.

[@jtr789310]

You had great parents and good role models growing up, it what missing in big cities today like Chicago. Informative action and interest at 18 to 20 percent as a white male remember the late 70s myself I was five years behind you. The five years after college when you work on the farm was the best education anyone could have got. It made you who you are and set you apart from the highly educated idiots you went to school with at Cowell College. Hearing your life story I even understand you better now. Remember back in the 70s when we knew more men with less than a 7th grade education that where self-made millionaires. Used to hear all the time back in the 80s I went to collage I don’t have to do that, then they ask can you fix my car or the electric light not working can look at it. Education the best thing out there you never stop learning. College is a great start but behind the barn I can say I learn more. When you talk Victor all we have to do is open our eyes around us and learn. Thanks Uncommon Knowledge for the great story on Life and Times of Victor Davis Hanson.

[@pbv61]

I was raised and experienced so many of the values Dr. Hanson has and speaks of. I admire him so much and appreciate this talks. There are few persons whom I would say "I'd like to meet him," and he is one of them. Bless him and his family.

[@6663000]

I've never clicked on a KZbin video so fast! VDH is the wisest man in the world, and Peter Robinson is the #1 interviewer. I know this is going to be great.

[@philgowan6298]

It's wonderful to see him smile.

[@suzannewilliams868]

I never tire of VDH. His modesty and command of history and current events is impressive I appreciate his matter of fact but interesting delivery. Love him.❤

[@janicegilbert412]

i have so much admiration and respect for Victor. I wish he and his common sense were in the administration where his views might prevail. He is a national treasure! God bless him.

[@marcwalker9610]

Thank you both so much for this. You're both American treasures and I'm deeply humbled 😊

[@michaelboyd7508]

Every time I listen to an interview with VDH or one of his lectures i feel the thirst for knowledge that i wished for but never felt in my school age years. Victor is so insightful on so many subjects it blows my mind. He is the very definition of the difference between smarts and wisdom. The wisest man in America, in my opinion. May god protect him and extend his life so he may continue to enlighten us all.

[@user-pw7tr9zv4f]

Grew up in the city (Chicago area) , spent 30+ years in army, now own 20 acres in Indiana working my butt off to turn it in to a self sustaining farm. Working the land is the hardest thing I’ve ever done (including being shot at), but these last few years have been the happiest years of my life. VDH is absolutely spot on, something about having a piece of land that you can call your own, despite all of the hardships, it keeps you grounded in reality and makes you truly appreciate the little things in life that, in the end, add up to a whole lot of happiness.

[@magnaquam]

I’ve lived my whole life right in the area he talks about. So fun to listen to my favorite scholar talk about home. Mussel Slough Tragedy is an amazing story.

[@oldkoot5828]

I'll have to look that one up.

[@bobmeyer7009]

Victor Davis Hanson is an American treasure. His wisdom and the commentary he provides is exemplary. His comprehension of history and how it applies to the present day is well worth hearing. Interestingly, when he attended UCSC in the '70's, my first wife was a student there as well. The campus was way loony, as he says, but my wife who was and is a staunch conservative did well there and graduated with honors. I am a life long native Californian who grew up in a rural area in the 1950's - California was a virtual paradise back then, but it has been ruined beyond comprehension by the left and the idiots who vote them in. Very sad. Thank you for this interview - it only deepens my respect for Dr. Hanson.

[@scottgebow6539]

It’s always great to hear Victor Davis Hanson, especially his family’s background. BTW, my late father was a WW2 veteran on Saipan in 1944-45.

[@kimhyunjoo67]

Mr. Hanson is a smart and wise man!

[@johnhughes2043]

Dr/Professor/Mr/Farmer Hanson is the most insightful individual of our time. This kitchen table chat is the very best yet! Being of the same age, but far less formally educated I ‘ve been lucky enough to find and follow him within the last two years and have learned so much I’m amazed. He is a true American treasure!

[@SC-rh5yo]

It’s marvelous to hear VDH share his story.

[@viramandybur]

Peter, thank you for this glimpse into a fascinating life and brilliant mind...VDH is a treasure.

[@lennartjonasson5710]

A wunderfull hour. Thanks!

[@cindymonk6994]

Thank you for this look at this fascinating man’s personal history and insights

[@miradjurdjevdan]

Such a humble man. Fantastic interview!

[@gi169]

VDH is AWESOME!!!

[@jodada97]

Loved this. Would pay my life savings to see a sitdown between you two and Thomas Sowell. VDH has mentioned that he has lunch with Dr. Sowell regularly and would do anything to be in that position.

[@oldkoot5828]

I would believe they would enjoy your company and would never let you spend your life's savings.

[@jtavegia5845]

What a remarkable story and Victor is a remarkable human being. Thanks for all you are doing. Just ordered the dying citizen for my Kindle.

[@willaknotts1298]

I love this man VDH. He says the whole truth from his heart. He knows the history. He isnt on any one side. That gives him all the license he needs. Thank you for espousing the real truth. Bravo!

[@jjforcebreaker]

Awesome interview as always. I wish you good health and perseverance, professor!

[@mellincoln1619]

Love this personal snapshot of VDH's life. Thank you for sharing.

[@youknowme...1840]

Excellent. 👍🏻

[@Bill-uo6cm]

A truly AMAZING man.

[@ScreaminNighthog]

A truly fascinating and engaging trip down memory lane. Having grown up on a small farming a community where my own family had settled in Texas during the 19th Century. I was simply in awe of Mr. Hanson.

[@peterjodonovan2025]

Just a superb gentleman

[@rmnair90]

Fascinating conversation! Thank you 👏👏👏

[@anthonycassata5152]

What an awesome interview. I just think that Victor is right on with things.

[@pg618]

A great portrait of the greatest generation that ever lived. It brings me to tears and makes me thankful to God for the good country we've had and sad that we are losing it before our very eyes.

[@BirdSaver]

VDH is my hero, a towering intellect and a farmer. His book on World War II is a masterpiece.

[@pattyjones6044]

Much respect to Victor and all the knowledge and wisdom he shares.

[@KarlaIrvin]

Victor Davis Hanson is a National Treasure. Brilliant!

[@416dl]

Appreciate Professor Hanson's deep and intimate understanding of history. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope to visit one day. Cheers

[@kzoo4053]

I cannot get enough of VDH’s interviews, lectures and speeches. I feel I am a perfect listener of this interview. I have had some similar life experiences as he had, and I share his feelings of frustration and anger. It touchy me deeply. I’ll only say this one thing here. High quantity of money does not equal to high quality of life.

[@kzoo4053]

It touched me deeply

[@JaredAF]

VDH is always one of my favorite speakers on Uncommon Knowledge. Also Peter Robinson is an excellent host as always!

[@damiangrouse4564]

Owing to the field(s) I specialized in or had to morph into I can say I had a inordinate amount of instructors/teachers/professors whom could respect and look up to. This gentleman is at another level.

[@esterhudson5104]

👏👏👏

[@acflarios1]

Exactly! That happens to me also. Incredibly person and personality.

[@christopherromine4086]

A Great interview! What a wonderful American is Victor Davis Hanson!!!

[@lavillablanca]

Mr Hanson, you are stunning, courageous and admirable Patriot!

[@lorrycamill6502]

God bless all farmers for there hard work they are so needed what a wonderful story Hanson 🇺🇸🙏

[@sockeemendiola247]

Incredible man!!! Victor Hanson and Thomas Sowell never disappoint in their clarity, simplicity and brilliance, and of course, Peter Robinson's questions have depth, and relevance. Great interviewer. No bias.

[@harryaarrestad583]

As a huge VDH fan , this was a real treat !

[@americanedits1379]

I love VDH and his work so much...his book The Dying Citizen is a true masterpiece!!

[@nurse55]

That was FASCINATING!

[@tabithadorcas7763]

Just finished listening via podcast. Excellent! Thank you.