Salon@615-Doris Kearns Goodwin with Jon Meacham

Salon@615 presents bestselling authors free to the public through a unique partnership between Nashville Public Library, Humanities Tennessee, Parnassus Books, BookPage and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Together, we nurture and celebrate the literary life of Nashville by presenting author talks and book signings to our community.

[@zacksmith2227]

“His greatness consisted of his integrity of character and that in the end is how we should judge our leaders” goosebumps

[@joandykstra2434]

Both of these brilliant people bring history alive!

[@dianairigaray4499]

I love listening to Doris Goodwin and Jon Meacham. It gives me hope

[@joyplanta2402]

Doris Kearns Goodwin, you have spoken succinctly on many issues. It has been a great pleasure listening to you and Jon Meacham. Thank you.

[@anthonyjyearwood816]

Excellent conversation. Two of my favorite historians.

[@glennfromthebronx]

thank you Doris. thank you Jon.

[@deepaknayakmanel8581]

I'm an Indian with a very limited knowledge of American polity. The 2008 Obama-Hillary election primary hooked me onto American politics. But I have been listening to both Doris and John on different platforms, for a few months on KZbin. I'm fascinated by their historical perspective and insight. Both are great orators and writers. John's book on the Soul of America is a treasure. Helps that he's got a great sense of humour and comic timing too. Thanks for the video. Hope for more.

[@countd5955]

deepak nayak manel, just a great comment.

[@davidtrindle6473]

Fabulous command of English

[@nancyilallonga7342]

433

[@christinekerby273]

Beautiful, touching and full of hope. What an amazing couple of people to listen to. Truly Great Americans!

[@nancybroer4712]

I love listening to these talks, I have listened several times and it is amazing how much they both teach us. And yes, even though these times today seem so impossible, when I hear these historians put it in perspective, it does help reassure me that we will get through this and that leader ship will emerge with the moral compass and integrity of character again. Thankful for you both, and for the persons that organized these inspiring discussions.

[@gc4847]

Two amazing minds foe our time!

[@judyannlemay618]

Goodwin & Meacham are American Treasures. You Both embody Integrity Desperately Need in the Public eye & Crucial to the Young ones to Look up to ;] GOD BLESS You Good Folks ❤

[@phrainphrainjugotoagleam595]

Doris is SO engaging. I love to hear her speak. Brilliant!

[@StoryGordon]

A great break from today's insanity.

[@passionatebraziliangirl.4801]

This is a fascinating talk!

[@kaylathrop5574]

So powerful. Thank you Jon and Doris. This is a #conversationthatmatters. We need more like it at this time. I'm so happy I found it. I've put your book on my list Doris. I'm reading The Soul of America right now!

[@susaniceland]

Thank you!

[@sushimmukerji515]

Take time to watch this interaction between two great historians on difficult subjects like resilience, handling difficult situations, goal of life in a setting of light hearted setting where they discussed Lincoln and others. I will talk to you soon.

[@mariatomasino]

They’re Perfect together! Laugh and Learn!

[@shellyhill6804]

What an amazing discussion! How great it is to hear two people who are expert in their field speak about it with so much passion and humor. I needed this!

[@user-vs6eb2zw2s]

She is so articulated with such a clear mind . Fantastic!

[@halaurent]

An amazing interview! I wasn't familiar with Doris Goodwin, but now I am going to read her books!

[@nancyblanton6686]

DKG is great! I've enjoyed her for many years. Glad you ran into her. Many hours of enjoyment ahead.

[@ohioskane363]

I'm finally reading Team of Rivals (about Lincoln) and it's terrific.

[@joannehardin4868]

Ashton Laurent Her books are wonderful, she is an amazing historian.

[@bartonjahn]

One of the most interesting person I have ever heard speak and a great truth teller.

[@nancyblanton6686]

Boy did I need that!

[@nkaf1457]

Admirable account about your husband. I admire the gentleman. By your account it brought me memories of my late father.

[@chrisg307]

OMG! So good! So few views! Wake up People! There is Wonder out here on the net!

[@libradragon]

@chrisg307 Yes indeed. Americans are mostly asleep and not at the wheel. Distracted by consumerism and glitzy distractions of Look Here Now, Watch This "Reality" before it goes away, and all the suffering our Medical System forces upon us, replete with Celebrity Fascination, people like Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham go unrecognized in the noise. I say, in harmony, Wake up People!

[@carolinem1698]

I love DKG. She’s so knowledgeable, a great writer, but she sure has a high WPM! words per minute!! 😁

[@Alexis-wn7ti]

Had no idea that Meacham was this funny...

[@Thadmotor1044]

love for them both

[@exodus1960]

The best collab since the Avengers

[@brysimm404]

Two genuine American icons!

[@STaylor127]

I love how she calls Lincoln, TR, FDR, and LBJ her “guys”, like they are her family. She brings their humanity to the forefront along with their übermensch-ness or virtuosity, (to crib Nietzsche or Plato). I would also love to be a dinner guest with Jon and Doris.

[@rmwein1948]

America's Historical Guides to Our Future.A Great Sense of Humor,Too! Question: What will America History report/say on America of 2020 and Coronoavrus COVID-19 Pandemic

[@sherylhoward4831]

I'm not even Jewish but...Oy Vey!

[@Thadmotor1044]

trump knows nothing of this , american values , history , and more

[@cueball7428]

John Meacham is my favorite FDR researcher. I've been reading Roosevelt history forever and I met Eleanor in 1960 and Daisy Suckley at a Wilderstein Christmas open house in the 1980's; she was serving the cookies. I believe it was John Meacham who said that FDR made his Martinis with 3/4 Vermouth. It may sound superfluous to notice that detail but to me that's the background that creates the best storytelling. And in the end aren't the greatest popular historians just tremendous storytellers.

[@RSEFX]

Great stories.

[@LivinginCentralNewJersey-ep4bq]

fear of the unknown; Each generation goes through a challenge and never knows how it will turn out ...

[@doccrwow]

Angel of righting.

[@renegadeoffunk32]

My two favourite people

[@CalTxDude]

She opposed the war in Vietnam, and by her own account, critically judged LBJ. His response was to have her come work in the White House! Think about that! It affords an entirely new perspective on him, one with reverence and admiration.

[@OHAli]

Such a contrast to the current administration... we (as a society and our leaders) desperately need humility. The overarching ability to not only withstand criticism but also to think critically about it without taking it personally. I feel silly even writing this - that we are at this point... but it seems as if many Americans do not know what good leadership looks like, partially because propaganda has blurred reality, and technology has made it easier to accept falsehoods and demagoguery. I do have hope to return to a more informed and literate society, but it's very lonely in these times where people are falling prey to conspiracy theories and make less and less effort to use the internet for good... To use it to properly check sources, remain informed, and to grow intellectually and emotionally.

[@lolodee3528]

Truths have emerged about Jefferson. There are dark truths of lbj that stay hidden.

[@Thadmotor1044]

this is advanced American History and one reason why it is great to be an American . trump knows nothing of this , nor anything at all . Vote ballot down Blue Wave

[@Texasguy316]

I sure hope you’ve had a change of mind. Trump is a wicked human, as a Christian I don’t approve of him, but democrats are demonic and not Christian at all. Beside faith, the country is more divided and in ruin and the world at war. Under a blue administration. Trump never allowed any of this. Facts.

[@mauliebella]

#iminlovewithjonmeacham

[@OHAli]

Lol me too!!!

[@bettinazwerdling1729]

If I hear one more 360-REALITY-DENYING comment about 'the better angels of our nature' -- I'll be tempted to stop.reading books! Can you endure all of what history teaches or can't you? Are you on a child's mission to find only 'heroes' and wax eloquent in nostalgia, while ignoring or skimming over the darker, and for survival sake, important lessons about humanity, our willful ignorance and destructive, self-serving false assumptions -- or can you become more mature, while there is still an ounce of time left? The American Nation, and what there was of democracy and a culture of principled pragmatism -- of, by and for The People and something other than Profits uber alles ---is in IN PLAIN SIGHT free-fall, and an oligarchy and massive essentially narcissistic corruption at all levels of power from the misleaders in corporations and in government are visible and IN PLAIN SIGHT today, visible hourly! These two could be talking with useful historical detail about what 'revolutionary, urgent times' look like and what factors, as in the past are now needed to make 'revolutionary change' -- in response to GROSS ECONOMIC REALITIES (deadly and massive 'inequality and accompanying injustice, rampant disaster capitalism' that relates to bills passed this week, the wide scale suffering, rage and decline (and fascism) incited, or the sheeplike citizenry of today's urgent American hour), and pressing ECOLOGICAL REALITIES (as presented by pandemics and what science points to with our overpopulation, climate catastrophe, nuclear proliferation), i.e. what faces this Nation, as they do all of humanity/sentient life on this planet. But these things are barely touched upon. Some of these factors existed in other times of historic change and should not be outside the purview of these two 'scholars'. Instead we have name-dropping elitists apparently not bothering to read or heed the likes of Orwell, Arendt, Naomi Klein or others who pluck useful warnings from the lessons of history and all that interdisciplinary scholars can mine. Propaganda works, empire and even civilizations fail, and they need to stop with the 'charmed' name-dropping and the Disneyfied story telling and show some depth, sharing real, useful insight as an ACCOMPANIMENT & GUIDE TO ORGANIZED CITIZEN ACTION - now so desperately needed. Just how far away are these people from working people's concerns and the real and grounded prospects of future generations? They emphasize only charming anecdotes of a past that brought us to today's crises, not the compelling reality of what false assumptions and willful ignorance lead us to our times. Now a truthful 'the People's history', combined with wisdom and facts from psychology or sociology or even anthropology or science itself might be relevant. See Howard Zinn, Chris Hedges, David Attenborough, and even the Anne Baring (who wrote 'The Dream of the Cosmos.) What I respect about what DKG said here is that she quotes that people like FDR and Lincoln credit the 'righteous and pragmatic ACTION' of an activated, concerned citizen's movement BY THE PEOPLE as NECESSARY for urgently needed change to become a reality, any kind of fruition. And that leaders who are willing to place 'the common good' over personal career or greed MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. (And those who don't act thusly lead Nation and humanity to ruination, which is not the fairytale she seems to prefer & want Meacham to join with her about, at one point.)

[@TheNeeenha]

Wow I was really enjoying this till I read your comment...I have to agree with you sad to say..there are a few young leaders out there but powers that be wont let them survive

[@theresamcmullen4841]

Bettina thank you for saving me the time it would have taken to give these people yet another tic of the clock. I can now invest the time saved into searching for even more truths relevant to our ongoing demise. Thank you Bettina.

[@ohioskane363]

I enjoyed this interview the way I might enjoy a bag of potato chips, as a tasty snack. The likes of Hedges, Zinn, Klein, and Attenborough are much more complex, with dark and bitter elements that resonate with my experience and stick with me and influence me long after I've finished reading. I'm not familiar with Anne Baring, but will now check her out. Thanks for your insightful comment.

[@davidtrindle6473]

Very heartfelt. We need to hear from you and people like you.

[@travis1143]

Most of these comments are bots. I'm not. I know you don't know that, but you already started reading comments so who cares what you think. Hope you had a giggle human.

[@debrajenkins1622]

I wish they would have let the south leave the union.

[@jackrice2770]

I have maintained for some time that had Lincoln known about using insurgency to undermine an opponent, he would have armed and trained ex-slaves and Abolitionists and bled the Confederacy through guerilla war, economic strangulation and slave revolts. I don't think the slave-drivers would have lasted ten years. My other thought on this is that if Lincoln had hung every damned rebel, we wouldn't have the South as a social and political anchor today.

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@ 50 min. People don't want to hear the truth. "We do this because that's the way it's always been done.

[@lolodee3528]

No one deserves bashing like drumpf. Appalling.

[@MarkGrago]

Both Great historians, BAD liberals.

[@brahmsaholic]

Does Jon Meacham believe that LBJ was in some way complicit in JFK's assassination. Many do?

[@barbaracunningham3968]

Stop Trump bashing. It ruins your message.

[@jackrice2770]

Yeah, because Der Orange Fuhrer ranks right up there with James Buchanan, Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland.

[@eddriver7815]

I JUST ADORE HER FROM THE FIRST MOMENT I LISTENED TO HER VERY SORRY TO MENTION YOU SECOND jOHN /// APPOLIGIES JOHN ... BUT DORIS IS HERE