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Jeffrey Rosen with The Pursuit of Happiness
In celebration of the July 4 holiday, watch this fascinating presentation and discussion of one phrase from the Declaration of Independence, “the pursuit of happiness.” With Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center and host of the We the People weekly podcast, we look at what this unalienable right meant to our nation’s Founders, how it defined their lives and became the foundation of our democracy.
In profiles six of our country’s most influential founders—Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton—this new, thought-filled book shows what pursuing happiness meant in their lives. It was a quest for being good, not feeling good, demonstrating a pursuit of lifelong virtue, not short-term pleasure. Among those virtues were the habits of industry, temperance, moderation, and sincerity. Their views were inspired by readings of the classical Greek and Roman moral philosophers. More than an elucidation of the Declaration’s famous phrase; The Pursuit of Happiness is a revelatory journey into the minds of the Founders. Join us to hear from Jeffrey Rosen and gain a deep, rich, and fresh understanding of the foundation of our democracy.Partner:Boston Public Library American Ancestors -
Poet Kwame Alexander shares lessons on love and fatherhood in ‘Why Fathers Cry At Night’
This non-traditional memoir is Kwame Alexander’s vulnerable journey to express his love for the people closest to him, including his children. -
Queer books are seeing a bump nationally. Local booksellers say it's not just about the books.
Independent bookstores have historically been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. But as more LGBTQ+ titles get published, local queer booksellers say more people are reaching for their collections. -
What Bridgerton gets wrong — and right — about classical music
The pop-classical soundtrack to Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton" isn't historically accurate, but that's the whole point. -
The big list of summer 2024 book recommendations from your local librarians
For Under the Radar's annual summer reading special, three of our local librarians return with their curated lists for summer, including thrillers, histories, young adult stories, romance and mysteries. -
Author Percival Everett talks 'American Fiction' and his new book 'James'
Author Percival Everett will be at the Coolidge Corner Theatre on June 4 to discuss "James," followed by a showing of "American Fiction." Ahead of his appearance at the Coolidge, Everett sat down with executive arts editor and "The Culture Show" host Jared Bowen to discuss his work. -
Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck memoirs look back at their beginnings
Today's episode is about two massive stars: Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck. First, Goldberg speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about her new memoir, Bits and Pieces, which touches on her relationship with her mother, the way she navigated beauty standards growing up, and what it means to grapple with grief over time. Then, Selleck joins NPR's Scott Simon to discuss You Never Know, his initial reluctance to take on his role in Magnum P.I. and his thoughts on being labeled a "mustachioed hunk." To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday -
'One Last Word' finds the comedy in what happens when you tell someone how you really feel
Author Suzanne Park's new rom-com is a novel centered around a Korean tech entrepreneur — and what happens when her new app accidentally sends intimate messages to all the important people in her life. -
Beyond the Page with Elin Hilderbrand
GBH is thrilled to present the Queen of Summer Fiction Elin Hilderbrand in conversation during our Beyond the Page event! Hilderbrand is the New York Times bestselling author of 28 novels, including The Hotel Nantucket (2022), Summer of ‘69 (2019), and The Five-Star Weekend (2023).
Swan Song, the finale of Hilderbrand’s Nantucket series, follows Chief of Police Ed Kapenash as he solves one last mystery involving the newest couple in town, the Richardsons. After the 22-million dollar house purchased by the Richardsons burns down and their personal assistant is deemed missing, Kapenash is forced to delay his retirement and look into these flashy newcomers who have stirred up the tranquil island community. Swan Song delivers a compelling blend of sun-soaked drama, glittering gatherings, and intriguing mystery, while celebrating the allure of Nantucket itself.
GBH News' Callie Crossley moderates this conversation. Callie Crossley hosts the radio show and podcast Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and shares radio essays each Monday on GBH’s Morning Edition. She also co- hosts The Culture Show radio program which focuses on local and national cultural trends and perspectives. And she also offers commentary about cultural issues on the evening news program Greater Boston and on Boston Public Radio, GBH’s midday talk show. She is also a fill in host for the national podcast “Our Body Politic” and a frequent commentator on local and national television and radio programs.Callie Crossley, co-host of The Culture Show, photographed at GBH’s Studio at the Boston Public Library on March 8, 2024. Meredith Nierman/Meredith Nierman GBHPartner:GBH Events -
Alison Bechdel on intimacy, mortality and unfettered creativity
Ahead of her appearance at the Boston Public Library's Literary Lights event, writer and cartoonist Alison Bechdel joined "The Culture Show" to discuss her latest graphic memoir, “The Secret to Superhuman Strength,” and the spiritual quest hidden within her exercise routine.