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The Back of the Book

In The Back of the Book, host Christopher J. Scalia interviews writers, scholars, and other expert guests about culture and the arts.

Hosts:
Christopher J. Scalia
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Episode length: 58m

The Declaration of Independence: Its Intellectual and Material History

Let’s keep celebrating the semiquincentennial by tackling the remarkable history of our most inspirational founding document. Historian and Hoover Institution fellow Michael Auslin joins the podcast to discuss National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America. He and Chris cover the document’s chaotic creation, its less-than-ideal preservation, and its enduring impact on almost ten generations of Americans. Show Notes: Michael Auslin’s book, National Treasure Michael’s book event at AEI Time Stamps: 1:45 Myths and misconceptions about the Declaration 12:40 The forgotten Declaration takes center stage 23:34 The Civil War and consent of the governed 28:33 More reasons to loathe Woodrow Wilson 33:45 MLK and the “promissory note” of equality 42:30 The Declaration’s core claim of unity 46:16 The DSA’s challenge to the greatness of the Declaration 49:03 The Declaration preserved and displayed Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Keira Stenson.

September 2026

Episode length: 1h

What a Tangled Web: Honesty in the 21st Century

The first topic for our new season is an important one, and that’s no lie. Chris talks to Christian B. Miller, the A.C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University, about the virtue of honesty. What does it mean to be honest? Is it more rewarding—and less risky—to be dishonest today than it was in the past? How are Americans dishonest today online, on campus, and in politics? Christian’s new book is The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World (Oxford, 2026). Time Stamps: 2:49 What is honesty? 15:14 Deepfakes and online infidelity 31:07 Academic dishonesty and the tragedy of Jason Arday 42:39 Honesty and politics 52:39 The exception of the arts Show Notes: Christian B. Miller’s book, The Honesty Crisis Billy Joel, “Honesty” Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Keira Stenson.

June 2026

Episode length: 1h 1m

American Civic Stories

In this special double feature, Chris welcomes the authors of two new books about the American way of life—one about the many things that make it great, and the other about something we’ve lost. First, Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College’s Washington, DC, campus discusses his latest children's book, The American Book of Fables, a collection to help the young and old celebrate America’s 250th birthday. And in the back half, Andy Smarick of the Manhattan Institute talks about his first novel, Community Day, a mystery about the distressing decline of civil society. Show notes: Matt's book, The American Book of Fables Andy's novel, Community Day, on Substack and Amazon Matt's other work Andy's other work Time stamps: 0:49 – Matthew Mehan on The American Book of Fables 29:01 – Andy Smarick on Community Day Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan & Keira Stenson.

Episode length: 1h 3m

The Creative Catholic Converts of 20th-Century Britain

Chris talks to Melanie McDonagh about her new book, Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century. Dr. McDonagh discusses some of the prominent (and less familiar) British artists, writers, and intellectuals who entered the Roman Catholic from the 1890s through the 1950s. What were the social and cultural origins of the century’s remarkable increase in Catholic conversions? What people and ideas brought figures like Wilde, Graham Greene, and Evelyn Waugh to Catholicism? And why did the stream of conversions drop off so dramatically in the 1960s? Show notes: Melanie’s book, Converts Melanie’s column at The Standard David Jones, “Vexilla Regis” Chris on Evelyn Waugh and Muriel Spark Time stamps: 3:00 – Why chronicle conversions? 7:32 – The influence of St. John Henry Newman 13:07 – Origins of the conversion trend 31:43 – Clerics courting converts 36:55 – Sacramentality and art 52:00 – Vatican II and the Church today Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

May 2026

Episode length: 1h 1m

Shakespeare’s Lessons for the Learned

Sean Keilen, professor of literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, talks with Chris about his new book, Shakespeare's Scholars: Three Lessons from the Liberal Arts. They discuss how Shakespeare depicts the role of scholars in Hamlet and The Tempest, what Shakespeare can teach us about the scholar’s proper relationship to the public, and the current state of literary studies in academia. Show notes: Sean’s book, Shakespeare’s Scholars UC Santa Cruz’s Shakespeare Workshop Santa Cruz Shakespeare Time stamps: 3:03 – Shakespeare's academy 18:12 – Hamlet 38:38 – The Tempest 52:50 – Scholarship inside (and outside) the academy Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 1h 11m

Education for Freedom with Zena Hitz

In this special episode, recorded as part of AEI’s American Dream Lecture Series, Dr. Zena Hitz addresses the role of liberal education in sustaining the democratic project. She also identifies the most significant threats to liberal learning and offers practical remedies that might address them. After her lecture, Zena sat down with Chris for a conversation and fielded questions from the audience at AEI. Show notes: Zena’s books, A Philosopher Looks at the Religious Life and Lost in Thought Learn more about St. John's College and the Catherine Project Watch previous editions of AEI’s American Dream Lecture Series Time stamps: 5:04 – Zena’s lecture 36:53 – Zena’s conversation with Chris 56:38 – Audience Q&A Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 56m

A Family Affair

Novelist Karan Mahajan joins the show to talk with Chris about his new work, The Complex. They discuss the novel’s memorable characters, settings, and themes, as well as Karan’s literary influences and the challenges of writing about Indian culture and politics for a non-Indian audience. Show notes: Karan’s novel, The Complex “The True Margaret,” a short story excerpted from The Complex in The New Yorker Chris’s review of The Complex in the Washington Examiner Karan’s previous novels, The Association of Small Bombs and Family Planning Time stamps: 5:08 – The Complex’s cast: The Chopra clan 17:58 – Laxman Chopra & literary villainy 32:27 – Karan’s literary influences, Tolstoy and Naipaul 42:55 – Experimenting with narrative perspective 48:54 – Modern readers & writers Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

April 2026

Episode length: 1h 5m

Post-Bellum and Pre-Harlem: A Conversation About Charles W. Chesnutt

Chris talks to Tess Chakkalakal about her new literary biography, A Matter of Complexion: The Life and Fictions of Charles W. Chesnutt. Tess explains why Chesnutt is such an important figure in American literary history, how his short stories and novels made the case for a color-blind society, and why he should be more widely read today. Show notes: Tess’s book, A Matter of Complexion Chesnutt’s short stories: The Conjure Woman and Other Conjure Tales and “The Wife of His Youth” Chesnutt’s novels: The House Behind the Cedars and The Marrow of Tradition Chesnutt’s speech, “Race Prejudice; Its Causes and Its Cure” Time stamps: 2:22 – Chesnutt’s early life and education 15:16 – The Conjure Woman 25:09 – The House Behind the Cedars 44:28 – The Marrow of Tradition 52:44 – Chesnutt’s views on race and their legacy Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 1h 2m

[FROM THE ARCHIVE] My Brother the Priest

In this re-pea—er, very special encore presentation, Chris’s brother, Father Paul Scalia, joins the show to discuss the significance of Holy Week and how Catholics in particular celebrate this most important (and for priests, most exhausting) week in the liturgical calendar. Father Scalia also recounts his road to the priesthood, shares his favorite Christian apologists and novelists, and discusses the state of the Catholic Church in America. Show notes: Father Scalia’s books: That Nothing May be Lost; Sermons in Times of Crisis (editor) Father Scalia at The Catholic Thing Father Scalia’s homilies (audio) The New York Times: “Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts” Time stamps: 2:53 – Holy Week & Easter 24:20 – Fr. Scalia's vocation and the meaning of the priesthood 41:08 – The Catholic literary tradition 48:42 – The state of the Church and hope for its future Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist.

March 2026

Episode length: 54m

Good Migrations?

Writer Lionel Shriver joins Chris to discuss her provocative new novel, A Better Life. They touch on the novel’s relation to Lionel’s broader thematic interests, the challenges of navigating political controversy in literature, and the worrying decline of literacy and readership. Show notes: Lionel's new novel, A Better Life Lionel on cultural appropriation Lionel on American Dirt Time stamps: 3:15 – A Better Life 17:29 – Gen Z and the population apocalypse 26:08 – Political controversy, literary representation, and the “vibe shift” 40:41 – The decline of reading & the case for literature Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 1h 2m

Stories in Stanzas

Sunil Iyengar, editor of an outstanding new poetry anthology, joins the podcast to discuss all things narrative verse: its origins, its virtues, and its place in contemporary poetry. He and Chris also take turns reading some memorable narrative poems, including some of their own. Show notes: Sunil's new anthology, The Colosseum Book of Contemporary Narrative Verse Andy Ferguson on John McCain and Robert Service's “The Cremation of Sam McGee" Sunil's poem “The Omission” (New Verse Review) Chris's poem “Singing Along to Billy Joel at My Roommate’s First Wedding” (New Verse Review) Time stamps: 5:00 – Why narrative poetry? 17:09 – The Colosseum Book of Contemporary Narrative Verse 36:05 – Memorable narrative poems 57:06 – Poems by Sunil and Chris Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

February 2026

Episode length: 59m

Brooke’s Books

Literary critic Brooke Allen drops by to talk about her new essay collection, Good Bones: Glorious Relics from the Age of Reading. She and Chris also discuss Brooke’s idiosyncratic career path (including her time writing for Divorce Court), the emergence of a post-literate culture, and the future of criticism. Show notes: Brooke’s new collection, Good Bones Brooke’s New Yorker essay on Bennington's Prison Education Initiative Brooke’s essays for The New Criterion Adam Kirsch on the decline of book reviews David Brent (Ricky Gervais) analyzes the poetry of Sir John Betjeman Time stamps: 1:58 – Good bones: Updike, Betjeman, Nash, and Hunt 26:02 – The art of the literary biography 32:20 – Brooke’s career 40:23 – “Post-literacy” & the future of criticism Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan

Episode length: 1h 5m

Inklings in Battle

Joseph Loconte drops by to talk about his new book, The War for Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945. He and Chris discuss the friendship between Tolkien and Lewis, the impact of both world wars on their literary lives, and how they influenced each other's most celebrated works. Show notes: Joseph's new book, The War for Middle-earth The Rivendell Center Learn more about J.R.R. Tolkien Learn more about C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters Time stamps: 1:48 – A "beachhead of resistance" against Modernism 19:58 – The Inklings amid the gathering storm 34:52 – World War II, Mere Christianity, and the Lord of the Rings 59:04 – Friendship and the Rivendell Center Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

January 2026

Episode length: 57m

The Rhythm of the Saints

Poet and critic James Matthew Wilson drops by to share a few poems, discuss his writing process, and consider the re-emergence of form in contemporary poetry. Chris and James also discuss efforts to foster literary excellence in the culture more broadly. The episode includes its federally mandated Seinfeld reference, but this time it’s James who brings it up. Show notes: · James’s most recent poetry collection, Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds The Colosseum Institute University of St. Thomas’s MFA program “Quarantine Notebook” – Part XI Adrienne Rich reads “At a Bach Concert” Time stamps: 4:11 – Formalism and narrative poetry 18:17 – Publishers, literary journals, and MFA programs 29:06 – Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds 43:05 – “Quarantine Notebook” Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

December 2025

Episode length: 53m

A Holly Jody Christmas

For this special Christmas episode, Chris is joined by Joseph Bottum, a distinguished man of letters who has written extensively about the Yuletide season. They discuss the significance of the holiday and the festivities (both old and new) associated with Christmas, its various literary portrayals over the years, and Jody’s own Christmas essays and tales. Show notes: Jody's book of Christmas-themed essays and tales, Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh Jody's memoir of Christmases of his youth, The Christmas Plains Jody's Christmas essays for First Things, The Lamp, Law & Liberty, Public Discourse, and The Wall Street Journal Jody's Christmas EP, Grace and Gladness Time stamps: 1:39 – The literary qualities of Christmas 15:45 – The opulence and "thickness" of Christmastime 25:38 – Jody's literary influences and the tradition of the Christmas story 33:40 – Dickens as "the great unconscious novelist" 43:29 – Jody's Christmas tales and Chesterton's poem "The House of Christmas" Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 55m

Mind, Muscle, and Mimesis

Chris is joined by Jordan Castro, a novelist, essayist, and the deputy director of the Cluny Institute. They discuss Jordan’s new novel, Muscle Man, as well as the discontents of academia, Jordan’s literary influences, the place of fiction in contemporary America, and their favorite campus novels. Show notes: Jordan’s new novel, Muscle Man Jordan’s essay on weightlifting for Harper’s Jordan’s previous novel, The Novelist The Cluny Institute Time stamps: 1:52 – Portraying the embodied life 9:58 – Violence and the Gothic 20:18 – Mimesis in academic culture 29:31 – Writing complex characters 41:09 – Are men reading fiction? 48:08 – Genre and influences Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

November 2025

Episode length: 1h 1m

Solly’s Special: Thanksgiving and Its Jewish Roots

For this special Thanksgiving episode, Chris is joined by Meir Soloveichik, the Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel (the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States) and the director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University. They discuss the Jewish origins of the Thanksgiving holiday, the history of Jews in America, and the current plight of antisemitism in American politics. Show notes: For Solly’s writing about Thanksgiving, see here and here. Solly’s recent essay for Mosaic, “The Christian-Jewish Alliance and Its Enemies” The recent volume to which Solly contributed, Jewish Roots of American Liberty George Washington's letters to the Hebrew congregations in Newport and Savannah Get Chris’s book, 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven’t Read), here. Time stamps: 1:41 – Origins of Thanksgiving and the history of Solly’s congregation 12:22 – The significance of religious liberty for early Jewish Americans 23:33 – Hebraic roots of the American founding 40:05 – Antisemitism on the American left and right 53:12 – Maintaining gratitude in the face of hardship Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 1h 3m

A Spark of Literary Genius

The critic and literary biographer Frances Wilson drops by to discuss her exceptional new book, Electric Spark: The Enigma of Dame Muriel. She and Chris talk about the fascinating life and early career of Muriel Spark, including her development as a novelist, tumultuous family life, and journey to religious belief. This is an especially fun conversation about one of the 20th century’s greatest—and slipperiest—novelists. Show notes: Frances’s book, Electric Spark: The Enigma of Dame Muriel Chris’s review of Electric Spark for the Washington Examiner Some of Chris’s other essays about Spark: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and The Mandelbaum Gate; (his book, 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven’t Read), includes a chapter about another Spark novel). Martin Stannard’s authorized biography of Spark Spark’s memoir, Curriculum Vitae Time stamps: 0:34 – Muriel Spark's background and literary style (with a digression about Frances’s and Chris’s favorite Spark novels) 11:00 – Grappling with slippery biographical details 18:07 – Spark's early life and family 28:49 – Doppelgängers and doubling 36:15 – Peculiar day jobs and resulting entanglements 51:05 – Conversion to Catholicism Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan and R. Rubin.

October 2025

Episode length: 57m

Who Was Oskar Stoessel?

Chris is joined by Bryan A. Garner: grammarian, lexicographer, and author of The Etcher: The Life and Art of Oskar Stoessel. They discuss Stoessel’s life and work, how he managed to etch portraits of FDR and eight Supreme Court justices, and what compelled Bryan to write about him. They also talk about Bryan’s recent defense of originalism against a strange new critique, his career as a grammarian, and the origins of his collaboration with Justice Scalia. Show notes: Bryan’s new book, The Etcher: The Life and Art of Oskar Stoessel Bryan’s two recent columns for National Review, on Jill Lepore and H.W. Fowler Bryan’s coauthored books with Justice Scalia, Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts and Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges Time stamps: 1:50 –⁠ “Who was Oskar Stoessel?” 6:08 –⁠ Oskar’s early career and the nature of etching 15:19 –⁠ Oskar’s remarkable time in the United States 28:20 –⁠ Oskar’s return to Austria, later life, and legacy 37:42 –⁠ Defending originalism from a new critique 44:20 –⁠ Becoming a grammarian

Episode length: 1h 5m

Welcome to the Machine: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds & the Greatest World Series Ever Played

Chris is joined by prolific sportswriter Joe Posnanski to discuss his 2009 book, The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-Stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Reds’ legendary victory, they discuss the personalities, politics, and drama that culminated in what is considered by some to be the greatest World Series of all time. Joe also gives a sneak preview of his next book, tells the story of his career in sports journalism, and shares some thoughts about the current state of sports writing. Show notes: · Joe’s 2009 book, The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds · Joe’s website · Joe and Michael Schur’s forthcoming book, Big Fan: Two Friends, 81,589 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love Time stamps: 2:05 – Origins of the “Big Red Machine” 16:57 – The Reds’ 1975 season 29:41 – The 1975 World Series 42:10 – The Machine’s impact and legacy 52:08 – Joe’s career and the future of sports writing Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.

Episode length: 1h 3m

Panic on the Podcast!

Chris is joined by Michael Clune, a professor at the Ohio State University’s Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, and the author of the excellent new novel, Pan. They discuss some of the themes and ideas underlying Pan, as well as Michael’s vision of literary scholarship and its place in the modern university. Show notes: Michael’s new novel, Pan Michael’s previous book, A Defense of Judgement “We Asked for It,” Michael’s 2024 essay in The Chronicle of Higher Education AEI’s recent event, “Literature in Limbo,” for which Michael served as a panelist Time stamps: 1:12 Pan’s origin and its relation to Michael’s criticism 7:12 The challenges of portraying mental illness in literature 13:51 Ritual and cultural artifacts in the novel 27:33 Technology, shared experience, and the 90s 40:22 Understanding experience through narrative 50:30 The study of literature in higher education Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan and S. Lillywhite.

September 2025

Episode length: 1h 2m

Pre-mendous!

Chris is joined by Brendan O’Meara, the founder and host of the Creative Nonfiction Podcast and author of a great new biography, The Front Runner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine. They discuss the life of American distance running legend Steve Prefontaine (a.k.a. “Pre”), including his childhood, the highs and lows of his running career, his untimely death, and his legacy. Show notes: · Brendan’s new book, The Front Runner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine · The 1972 Olympic 5000m final · Without Limits, the 1998 Prefontaine biopic Time stamps: 1:33 Early life in Coos Bay, Oregon 10:35 Entrée into running and rise to stardom 20:57 Pre’s character, on and off the track 30:43 College career and “Pre’s people” 35:30 1972 Olympics 43:20 Post-Olympic comeback and fight against the AAU 50:09 Death and legacy Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan and S. Lillywhite.

Episode length: 1h

Creative Catholics: Literature & Theology in the 20th Century

Chris is joined by Cassandra Nelson, an affiliate fellow in literature at the Lumen Center in Madison, Wisconsin, an associate fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and the author of A Theology of Fiction (Wiseblood Books, 2025). They discuss the life and thought of Sr. Mariella Gable, a Benedictine nun who had an under-appreciated influence on Catholic literary fiction during the 20th century. They also talk about the relationship between theology and literature, the work of Betty Wahl and J.F. Powers, and more. Show notes: Cassandra’s new book, A Theology of Fiction, and the 2022 First Things essay on which it is based Sr. Mariella Gable’s anthologies of Catholic fiction J.F. Powers’s collected short stories The Lumen Center’s website Chris’s book, 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven’t Read) Time stamps: 2:56 Sr. Mariella Gable’s conception of Catholic fiction 23:20 Sr. Mariella’s controversies and influence 29:31 A theology of comedy 35:15 Betty Wahl and J.F. Powers 45:20 Reading as a spiritual practice and the moral dimension of fiction 56:55 Cassandra’s recommendations This episode is brought to you by Root & Branch, the only bed linens designed especially for guest rooms. Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan and Otis Wilbury.

August 2025

Episode length: 1h 1m

Summertime Blues: 2020 in Hindsight

Chris is joined by his AEI colleague Thomas Chatterton Williams, whose latest book Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse was published earlier this month. The two discuss Thomas’s analysis of the events and ideas that led to the protests, riots, and all-around madness of the summer of 2020; cancel culture and the importance of free expression; the concept of race and its relation to cultural heritage; and more. Show notes: Thomas’s new book, Summer of Our Discontent The Harper’s Letter Thomas’s previous book, Self-Portrait in Black and White Chris’s book, 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven’t Read) Time stamps: 2:36 Reflecting on the summer of 2020 6:13 The promises and shortcomings of the Obama era 14:32 The “Great Awokening” and the rise of Trump 21:07 Cancel culture and the cult of anti-racism 36:35 The Harper’s Letter and the fight for free expression 42:47 Post-racialism and cultural heritage 50:22 From January 6 to October 7 56:09 Charting a path forward This episode is brought to you by the Rockford Agency. Our trained investigators have specialized in CLOSED CASES since 1968. $200/day + expenses. Call (311) 555-2368 and leave a message. Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.
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