Rachel Maddow in conversation with Jacob Soboroff at Live Talks Los Angeles

Rachel Maddow in conversation with Jacob Soboroff at Live Talks Los Angeles
discussing her book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism." The talk took place on October 22, 2023.
(Note: the monologue that preceded the conversation is available to watch in our KZbin channel)
Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to World War II, when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis.
Rachel Maddow is host of the Emmy Award-winning The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Drift and Blowout, and the New York Times bestselling co-author of Bag Man. She has also written, produced and hosted three original podcasts for MSNBC-Rachel Maddow Presents: Bag Man, Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra, and most recently the six-episode series Rachel Maddow Presents: Deja News. Maddow received a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University and earned her doctorate in political science at Oxford University.
In her new book, Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, based on research for her podcast, Ultra, Maddow traces the rise of a radical strain of authoritarianism that has been alive and well in America for the better part of a century.
Taking readers back to the early days of World War II, Maddow introduces us to a clandestine network of far-far-right American radicals, who through a series of sophisticated and shockingly well-funded efforts-including an astonishing amount of support among serving members of Congress-would bring America into a much closer flirtation with fascism than we want to remember. .
The resistance of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens ensured that their goal was never achieved, but the seeds of extremism were planted and have reached forward through history into our present. As we navigate through our own disquieting times, Prequel offers a roadmap from U.S. history, marked both with heroics to emulate and traps and pitfalls to avoid.
Jacob Soboroff is an NBC News correspondent and the author of the New York Times best seller, Separated: Inside an American Tragedy. For his reporting on the Trump administration’s child separation policy, he received the Walter Cronkite Award for Individual Achievement by a National Journalist and the Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism. He is also the recipient of a Ruben Salazar Journalism Award from the California Chicano News Media Association, and in 2022 was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy® Award for his reporting from Haiti. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Nicole Cari and their two children.

[@lseh4720]

The first time Rachel filled in for Keith Obermann, when she was done, I turned to my husband and said, “I don’t know who she is but I want to marry her.” You’re amazing Rachel.

[@lseh4720]

@@WillBravoNotEvil Much better than Sinatra. Believe me. Much better than Sinatra.

[@yogawitch3]

Keith Olbermann gets no credit for bringing Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes from The National to MSNBC. They appeared on his show Countdown.

[@sandyjohnson5111]

She’s definitely a class act.

[@lseh4720]

I meant Keith Olbermann

[@lseh4720]

@@yogawitch3 I meant Keith Obermann

[@rosemariestrumecki6880]

High school courses should be taught using this book (history class etc.) in my opinion, great book!🙏

[@strugglemonkey]

I get something new from each interview Rachel does. Soboroff is brilliant. As is Rachel. (I vote for a Soboroff Maddow hour. At least once a month.) This book should be required reading. For every American who is fighting to save our democracy in this perilous time. We've been here before. Hope has been a fleeting and fickle friend for the last 6 years. This book gives me hope.

[@gertrudekitchen9196]

😊😊😊😊😊😊òòòòlĺĺ⅘

[@gertrudekitchen9196]

😊d

[@rozg212]

I agree. She is my absolute favorite.

[@mtnviewpottery]

I’m 70 years old and I certainly agree with Soboroff Maddow offering this whenever they can! There is so much in the past and the present that destroys so much I have believed! We need more of both of them!

[@mtnviewpottery]

I’m 70 years old and I certainly agree with Soboroff Maddow offering this whenever they can! There is so much in the past and the present that destroys so much I have believed! We need more of both of them!

[@signingcharity]

Prequel was an amazing book that should be read and thought about by everyone. It is terrifying but gives hope. Every actual Christian should be terrified of the idea of Christian Nationalism. It is terrible and it is not Christian.

[@janaleland9038]

It is far, far better to be a follower of YSHUA, than a 'christian' in today's world.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

Religion + politics = politics

[@donnanorman8285]

She definitely one brilliant woman!!!!

[@julieblanchard5554]

I have always loved how she can make a complex topic understandable. She is truly gifted!

[@strattonskier7229]

Rachel is the best of the best and will go down in history as such. She is a genius in her field and in life.

[@andreaperry938]

Always the best and accurate journalism from Rachel.

[@karenherrera3961]

Rachel Maddow ,is a great commentator 😊😊

[@davidcat1455]

It’s a pleasure to watch this intelligent, articulate well educated ,fact driven woman. Rachel, without doubt is one of the best journalists in the world.

[@terrybruno7404]

Awesome interview on all accounts ❤ we all can find truth in many aspects. 🤗✌🏽

[@leeannyoung8880]

Just a funny observation-does anyone else think Rachel & Jacob look sort of similar like siblings? 😊

[@edwardlow7554]

it's why I clicked on this video

[@billoxiiboy]

@@edwardlow7554 Me too!

[@deborahlukovich8006]

Yes!

[@rosemaryrosemaryw8117]

She’s incredibly bright and knowledgeable! Love her!

[@maypanah5880]

yes, yes, I definitely agree with Rachel, we need an independent body who oversees the function or dysfunction of all three branches or our government, and keep all the office holder accountable, even president, and vise president.

[@amberhenry8313]

I love Rachel!!!!

[@deborahlukovich8006]

I have the biggest brain crush on Rachel. Meeting her and chatting with her would be a dream come true.

[@primalamusica3]

Rachel, Thank you for being you! Such a wonderful human being. Take care, stay safe! We LOVE you !

[@richardmacauley1107]

We love you Rachel, so much. Thank you.

[@rhondasingley7211]

❤ I will never tier Of You because I think you're Brilliant and We need You 💖 please don't STOP 🛑

[@kathygann7632]

I really miss seeing Rachel most nights, BUT I have learned so much from her projects!

[@TEPO--]

True we do miss you Tuesday through Friday Rachel ! Yet so grateful that you're creating an authentic approach for yourself, "freelancing" and brilliantly continuing to share with all of us that so value your work and your presence. Much appreciated.

[@susiekay1950]

Wow! Just wow. A riveting conversation and I learned so much. Thought I was well versed on Natziism and I am- more about Germany than the US -so now I need to read tye book!!! Thank you both. You are a dynamic broadcasting duo.

[@DebbieAppelhans]

VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN AND HARRIS 4 more years greatest years to come VOTE for democrats blue 💙 vote for Adam FRISCH in Colorado Springs 💙 😊

[@donnah4713]

Do you have any idea how much damage these two have done to your country and you call them " greatest". The open border has been a disaster. That's only one example. The withdrawal from Afghanistan was a disaster. You need to get informed, Maddow can lie and Exaggerate like the rest of them.

[@kcuzz4091]

Prequel is an amazing story! This was about a time in our history that I vaguely, sort of knew about, but had never looked at closely. A must read for all Americans and for anyone who is just interested in this part of our history.

[@Fiawordweaver]

I love her book Prequel. I bought it in audible form. I love her voice and stable or as we 70 year olds used to say “so grounded”. What an inspiration. I am so grateful for Rachel for writing this book and all the hosts inviting her to their shows to bring her brilliance and educational research to the masses.

[@nancilane5069]

A friend of mine and I were there! It was excellent. IMHO, Rachel is the best. Her podcast, Ultra, was incredible. I received the book, Prequel, at this event with my ticket. Having said that, I much prefer to listen to my books these days so I'm going to get the audio version. On another note, her podcast and book, Bagman (about Spiro Agnew) was really good too.

[@ayndowney9401]

I will have to read Bagman, thanks for the information!😅😊

[@primalamusica3]

The podcast Bagman is excellent, @@ayndowney9401

[@primalamusica3]

WOW! Rachel is absolutely fantastic! Thank you for inviting my favorite journalist and historian!

[@cheryldowling6647]

Sadly we aren't taught so much of our history. Thank God for Rachel.

[@shermanefouche4162]

So happy that you are an easy crier. Me too.

[@jennifereckart5218]

Rachel Maddow is a treasure

[@alfsboy]

I would also say that I think Rachel Maddow is so smart and so authentic, she is one of the group we can trust.

[@1701beth]

At the risk of being silly, you two (Jacob and Rachel) look like you could be siblings! Thanks for the book and the conversation.

[@PhillyFrank1]

Impossible not to notice. They’d be perfect in a production of Twelfth Night.

[@kcuzz4091]

The one thing that all American can voters can do in 2024 is to vote for Dems up and down the ballot.💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙

[@deborahlukovich8006]

You never know who you’ll move. Makes me cry. That’s beautiful.

[@leemitchell665]

Thank you, Rachel, for speaking about media literacy. Tis something lots of us did not learn in school. Media literacy is very important in order to discern the facts. Note to all teachers - please teach media literacy to your students!

[@CeceliaBoynton-d1l]

Love me some Rachel Maddow❤❤❤Ph.D

[@ericsahagun5344]

Dear Rachel Maddow the very fact that sometimes you get teary eyed and you can't pull back is one of the reasons I love you respect you and believe in you because there's no buddy more genuine more sincere and more committed heart and soul to the work they do as you. You, Lawrence O'Donnell Joy Reid Ali Velchi Sp. And Melber are exactly the reason I watch MSNBC! Your integrity and your diligence to reporting factual accurate news is paramount to me in more ways I could even express an articulate! I miss you 5 days a week on MSNBC but I understand you have your passions commitments and goals to fulfill! Dear lady I've heard of people with full plates but you cut a platter and it's dripping over God bless you and all you endeavor! L. Eric Sahagun

[@CeceliaBoynton-d1l]

Thank you Rachel Maddow We must safeguard our Democracy

[@Brenda-xw3fr]

Just an idea: give Rachel's book as Xmas gifts? Knowledge is power. Thank you Rachel

[@rhondah1587]

Great interview with Rachel Maddow. Liberal Boomer here who votes in every election, and I vote Democrat up and down the ballot.

[@geniemelone6793]

Absolutely brilliant interview!

[@ronismith9883]

I truly admire Rachel Maddow! She is the best at digging out information and transferring it to the listener in a truthful, compelling way. I do miss her the other 4 nights of the week, but am grateful for the 1 night she is on the air.

[@rekhagarg9073]

I too miss her presence Tuesday through Friday

[@rekhagarg9073]

WOW!!!!! We need more Rachael Maddows to heal this messed up world.

[@donnah4713]

" To heal the world" you are deluded! These people are part of the problem.

[@kellyanquoe]

Excellent all the way around.

[@jeffwatkins352]

Thank the powers that be for people like Rachel who gives us the facts with such a good heart and optimistic attitude. It's heroes like her who'll save America from MAGA.

[@matthewbrown6497]

Jacob Sol looks like Rachael's twin brother.

[@elsabeleroux7896]

WOW. What a woman. Rachel I miss your news sessions on the channel.

[@KayPeters-qx6fq]

So interesting I'm glad I stopped and started to listen as I was cruising through the programs. Both of them are so dedicated and intelligent.

[@dianenettler]

Rachel, I'm a 70 year old women living in a town of 1500. I have spent the last 3 years educating myself. I have seen many of my friends doing the same, and I'm sorry to say some who refuse to and only watch Fox. I grieve for these people because the only subject they are focused on is Hunter Biden.

[@anne4650]

Yes, look over there (Hunter Biden) not over here.

[@patriciaburke2401]

God bless you both. Your research, analysis and thoughtfulness help us to understand more fully what happened in the past and what we are currently experiencing. May you remain safe, healthy, happy, and continue to keep us informed. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated journalists as you. Take care & God bless you both, always.

[@ayndowney9401]

Please keep both of these Excellent Journalist safe and in Great Places in Our ever turbulent climate of Fear and Hate. Our Planet is experiencing unprecedented times that are trying bout SOULS. We must stand up against Tyranny, Oppression and Discard Hatred because we all have the Capacity and Responsibility to treat people with respect and compassion no matter their culture or background. Hatred only brings more Violence toward Humanity This has to change before we don't Exist anymore!😊😅🎉😂❤😢

[@natalierosen]

I adore Rachel. She is brilliant and I LOVE her.

[@mariaeendler599]

❤so glad to see 2 such brilliant people together!!! Aloha

[@deborahlukovich8006]

Fantastic interview.

[@shirleyrice7093]

The trouble is a lot of the old voters watch Fox News and believe it.

[@PHPyme]

I have an elderly friend who was a Trump supporter and Fox viewer. When he moved, my friend didn't get Fox on TV at his new apartment. I think his kids took it off his cable. Within six months he was back to being the man I remembered. I suggested to him different news sources such as PBS and Midas Touch. I convinced him to read the Trump indictments, and he told me it was very difficult, it took him two weeks. My friend now sees Trump differently and will not vote for him in 2024. This is just more proof of just how toxic Fox is to all Americans!

[@ayndowney9401]

​​@@PHPymeYou are so Right, we have an Entire Planet that believes Fox News is credible and their slanted version of inconsistency is Mind Boggling, I am concerned that we are headed toward a Civil War among Wealthy and Working PEOPLE who are now very poor Especially vulnerable populations include Veterans, Senior Citizens and Physically impaired and Citizens that are attacked because they suffer from mental illness, and or are transgender. Too Much judgement of others and not enough compassion for Humanity!😊😊🎉😂😂

[@susangange1692]

Absolutely

[@amyb3680]

A lot of these comments below surprise me in their lack of intelligence. Rachel Maddow connects history to current affairs. She's brilliant and is on the side of truth. the sound quality is fine, I don't know what you are talking about.

[@claramitchell746]

Thank you Rachel for all that you do, and for who you are! I have been a fan since Air America! I respect you, and thank you for helping me to stay politically aware, and not going stark raving mad! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Kudos to you ur ‘story-telling’ .🙏🏾❤️🌺😊🌞

[@lindylee1139]

Not only is Rachel one of the smartest people on the planet, she is a wonderful kind and caring human being.

[@kristieroybal4888]

Rachel - I wholeheartedly love you. Not in some romantic sense (let's not make this weird), but in a very real, deep appreciation and gratitude type of sense. Everything I know about political right and wrong, I learned from you. I love your endless sense of compassion. Please never be embarrassed about your on-air emotion. Many stories involving humanity are devastatingly sad, and your tears are appropriate. Your endless drive for perfection. The few times on-air when you have said "thats not a word," I'm sure our neighbors thought someone's chicken was just celebrating an oddly timed egg laying, because of my joyful cackling. Your fascinating command of the English language is a thing of beauty. I love your humor, I love your pure red-hot anger over things such as the Trump administration policy of tearing families apart. I love that once, when reading something at home during the Trump administration, and you announced to the world that your yelp scared the dog! I admire you immensely. I feel like a day without Rachel is a day without knowing what those scary crazy weirdos are doing, which oddly panics me more than knowing what they're up to. People tell me I have to take a break. I don't feel safe enough to take a break. Thank you, Rachel, for keeping my hair on my head, and thoroughly doused.

[@nancyte7]

Thank you for all you are doing . I appreciate you to the Max! 🙌🏼🥰🙏♥️🎄

[@angelalegare420]

A have mad respect for Rachelle.❤Amazing journalist!

[@kathygann7632]

If I had extra money, I’d put up some statues of these unknown heroes that saved democracy. Thank you Rachel for educating us.

[@loribrown9204]

They look like siblings

[@Cristina-hx1zp]

I only read the comments for someone that noticed. 👀👍

[@dragonlady2324]

Great talk Rachel! Love your work and your books. Thanks for bringing the truth of fascism to the world. Need it more than ever now.

[@haredog6072]

I have been watching the political scene in America since the early nineteen seventies. Fascism has never been more on the rise than it is today. It is damned scary. Thank you Rachel and everyone shining a bright light on this tragedy. We need to keep MAGA and all its manifestations and ilk DOWN, big time.

[@TheNanaPokey]

Thank you Rachel for your hard work and for sharing the fruits of all that perseverence with your readers and your viewers. You help me be a better person. God bless you.

[@colemeeker908]

They look like identical twins who try to dress the same

[@zopizopi5054]

Rachel and Jacob should be si siblings!!!!

[@jeanneshawn1677]

We love that you have a visible soul

[@jilltoby8]

Adore Rachel and her work🔆

[@cheriewolfsen2491]

Thank You for Such an Illuminating Conversation! Love Rachel Maddow ❤️

[@citygirlphotos.tutonelyles4386]

It’s true I miss Rachel Tu-Fri on MSNBC ✨❤️

[@rozg212]

I do, too. I never miss watching her on Monday night. She explains things so well. She really is the best!

[@debraallender7444]

Rachel and Jacob are both brilliant. This is a great match up for exploring "Prequel".

[@lowesonia8551]

Dearest Rachel, so glad you are out of death, been there, not good. 84 yrs Learnt about the US Nazie mouvement when read about Joe Kennedy US Ambassador in London UK. He mixed with elite Brit. pro german in UK. When age 7.Father took me to Petticoat Lane. Jewish part of London. In a tea shop i was told to just observe discreetly the long coated men sitting to our right. They where gem dealers. Hatton Garden was the Diamond Center in London. Father had a friend there.The men opened white Handkerchiefs showing gems one to other. My father wanted me to see how they sold in confidence with a handshake.Code of Honor. Then we went to the British Museum.

[@lisaratley4858]

Rachel Maddow is one of the greatest history researchers, writers, reporters, and speakers of this crazy time. I hope to continue hearing her voice for a very long time.

[@paulettedamato5681]

What an educational and hopeful podcast. Rachel is the GOAT😍❤️

[@carmenruiz5033]

Brilliant. Thank you both

[@tarabartee3424]

Jacob; I remember your reports from the border. Thank you for doing that.

[@heidimckee8492]

Rachel Maddow if you read this, I would love to meet you! I will work for free to help you!

[@michaelwoo4279]

I never noticed it before but Rachel and Jacob look related! At least from the KZbin cover photo!

[@livfrehley]

Was gonna say the same thing. They could be siblings!

[@nancyfisk3235]

Definitely twins separated at birth!

[@gabriellerose3839]

Is it time for the US to legislate compulsory voting for those over 18 years? It might just save your democracy.

[@comfyrock1758]

Nah….some countries do that and literally it’s name recognition for the uninformed (and you’d have a lot of them). That would be a recipe to get a ‘reality Tv star’ elected. We don’t need any more of those!

[@GUSCRAWF0RD]

“Why is Rachel interviewing herself?”

[@Behavioralresearcher]

😂

[@patricialynn5852]

Why in hell weren’t we taught this in history class? 😮

[@paladro]

do you remember high school? varying levels of interest and patience, nevermind havingto shoehorn in curriculum, there is next to no time to expand beyond the simplest of explanations. it one wants something approaching reality and truth, you'd need college courses to get the necessary level of understanding. ever notice how the GOP wants less rights for people that don't agree with them, less education so no critical questioning of their obviously bad policy and installing fascist christians loyal to a party, not a country.

[@lowesonia8551]

Because you were born in US.

[@THATBOISHAD]

The thumbnail is crazy! Did they do that on purpose?

[@HopeWins777]

❤ Whoaaa. Holy Doppelganger, Batman! ❤

[@leighmartin3223]

Thank you Rachael, ghank you Jeffery for your inciteful and necessary talks about our fight against fascism...L. Martin

[@sloopy5191]

These two could easily be siblings, in looks and personality...and intelligence. It's SO nice to watch a show of this caliber on KZbin.

[@geobus3307]

Definitely could be one another for Halloween! Both super-smart, informed and great hair!

[@jackharle1251]

Same intelligence? Do you feels that a positive thing? She told us that if we got the jab, we wouldn't get COVID. That's a bloody lie.

[@libbyworkman3459]

I can remember when Rachel was telling Lawrence O’Donnell about how her partner Susan almost died of Covid, and she barely managed to hold it together. And she said that she was a satellite orbiting Susan‘s planet, that’s how much she cared about her. And Lawrence said it’s so important not to cry, that gives your listeners permission to cry. And now the carnage in Gaza is just horrific on both sides.

[@GreenLeaf1008]

We DO miss Rachel Tuesday through Friday!

[@maribethallen4947]

Absolutely Outstanding!!!!!

[@cynthiablake6208]

They look like siblings!

[@Hoppenoffer]

Are these guys twins????

[@sherylstrack2093]

I can't believe I've missed out on this talk broad cast for a decade. I just found this and I love it I subscribe immediately.

[@Dnn411]

both…..GREATEST HAIR EVER. and great human beings to.

[@litsci1877]

It's a broad folk story, too. Many of us have grandparents -- grandmothers and grandfathers -- who told us stories about going to fight the Nazis at the gym and on the corner in New York. In the Bronx, on the Lower East Side. There were streetcorner soapbox Nazis. But even young girls knew how to jeer them and fight with them, and did. They might've been Nazis, but they were also just Eddie, that no-good. Just like now.

[@lrtucci]

Separated at Birth?

[@kathygann7632]

She worked in an Aide’s hospital. Wow. More admiration!

[@AaliyahOKee]

Thank you Rachel 💜

[@itsmrryan]

I'm seeing double. 4 Rachel Maddows!

[@someonerandom8129]

How I am absorbing things is that we are in a time loop. Because we keep getting it wrong. we’re going to have to keep going through this over and over again until we don’t stop the wrong and make it right.

[@rdlewis3616]

This book sounds really good and informative. I already knew about Ford and other businessmen who were only interested in profits and saw Hitler and thought, “I like that man’s politics”. I wonder what they thought when Germany was defeated and the camps were liberated.

[@gb4375]

Bought and never put it down until done.

[@rhondah1587]

In the U.S., fascism never was defeated. It only went silent and began to plot and find niches where it could get a foothold. It found it's best home in the Republican Party and got stuck in once LBJ signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts in the mid-1960s when all the old southern white Dixiecrats fled the Democratic Party and took over the Republican Party. The old guard members of Lincoln's Republican Party switched to the Democratic Party. We now see how the two political parties have evolved over the decades into what they are today.

[@JeffreyHavenga]

Thank you for all that you do Rachel!😊

[@The1JTA]

I get the impression that we should perhaps be grateful to Japan for getting us whole heartedly into World War 2 - putting a stop to the local Nazi threat?

[@litsci1877]

No.

[@djrinpoche]

Their plan was designed by an American naval officer