Eyewitness History

One year ago, my book, William F. Buckley Jr.’s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era, was published. In this special episode of Eyewitness History, I reflect on the experience of writing my first book, holding the finished product in my hands, and navigating the year that followed.
Please consider picking up a copy of my book by clicking this link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FW1N2MYQ?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
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On this episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen sits down with legendary guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, founding member of Jefferson Airplane and longtime member of Hot Tuna.
Kaukonen takes us back to the San Francisco music scene that helped transform American rock, sharing memories of his years with Jefferson Airplane, his experiences with Janis Joplin, and what it was like performing at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969.
He also reflects on the realities of sudden fame, the friendships and relationships that helped shape his career, his lifelong passion for the guitar, and some of his favorite memories from nearly seven decades in music.
Kaukonen discusses what it meant to see Jefferson Airplane inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the importance of passing musical knowledge on to the next generation through Fur Peace Ranch, and what continues to inspire him to pick up a guitar and perform.
Be sure to visit his site at https://jormakaukonen.com/
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Christopher Hitchens remains one of the most influential and controversial writers of his generation. But before the books, the television appearances, the Oxford Union debates and the reputation as one of the great polemicists of his age, he was a young journalist finding his voice.
Steve Wasserman knew that Christopher Hitchens.
Wasserman is a writer, editor, publisher and literary agent who has spent decades at the center of American literary and intellectual life. Over the course of his career, he has worked with and known some of the most important writers and thinkers of the past half-century.
In this episode of Eyewitness History, Steve takes us inside that world.
We discuss Hitchens, including what he was like before he became famous, his extraordinary gifts as a writer and conversationalist, and the qualities that made him such a compelling intellectual figure.
But the conversation goes far beyond Hitchens. Steve and Josh also discuss the craft of writing, the art of editing, the relationship between writers and editors, and the changing world of literary journalism.
Steve also discusses his memoir, Tell Me Something, Tell Me Anything, Even If It's a Lie, and why he chose to tell the story of his life through essays and memories rather than a conventional autobiography.
And Josh discusses his own book, William F. Buckley Jr.'s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era, and the enduring importance of intellectual friendships across political and ideological divides.
Topics include:
Christopher Hitchens before he became famous

Hitchens as a young journalist

What made Hitchens such a remarkable writer

Hitchens's approach to writing and argument

The relationship between writers and editors

Steve Wasserman's career in publishing and literary journalism

The art of recognizing great writing

Tell Me Something, Tell Me Anything, Even If It's a Lie

Steve's memories of the literary world

The importance of intellectual curiosity

Writing, friendship and ideological disagreement

Steve's Book: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/tell-me-something-tell-me-anything-even-if-its-a-lie/
HeyDay Festival: https://www.heydaybooks.com/harvest/
Josh's Book: https://www.amazon.com/William-Buckley-Guide-Friendship-Polarized/dp/1956454926
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Jennifer Batten was there. She played guitar beside Michael Jackson during the Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory tours and joined him for the legendary 1993 Super Bowl halftime show.
Now, she takes Eyewitness History inside the rehearsals, nerves, spectacle and extraordinary discipline behind Michael Jackson's greatest live performances.
Find out more about her at her website at https://www.jenniferbatten.com/
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Charles Murray has spent decades challenging Americans to think differently about some of the biggest questions facing society.
In this episode of Eyewitness History, Murray discusses his career as a social scientist, the controversies surrounding his work, and the ideas behind books like Losing Ground, The Bell Curve, and Coming Apart.
We also explore his relationship with William F. Buckley Jr., including his appearance on Buckley's legendary program Firing Line. Drawing from my book, William F. Buckley Jr.'s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era, we discuss Buckley's approach to debate, friendship, and engaging with those who held opposing views.
This is a conversation about ideas, controversy, intellectual courage, and the people who helped shape modern America.
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