Fort Dilts, North Dakota — Video Dispatch
Friday, February 09 2024
Clay takes us to Fort Dilts, North Dakota, a hastily-made sod fort built in 1864 by a party of would-be gold miners to fend off attacks by the Lakota. However more perspectives to the story should be considered.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
On Oppenheimer — Video Dispatch
Monday, February 05 2024
Clay reads from an essay about Robert Oppenheimer by the author Richard Rhodes.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
Sports as American Metaphor
Tuesday, January 30 2024
The Super Bowl has become an unofficial American holiday. Though it may not be as important as Christmas or the Fourth of July it fixes everyone in the country on a single monumental event.
- Published in Features
Seeing America Through the Eyes of a Visitor
Saturday, January 20 2024
My daughter Catherine, now living in Great Britain, brought her boyfriend Simon to America for the holidays. He’s French-Swiss.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future
Monday, January 15 2024
We are excited to welcome Lindsay Chervinsky, a regular guest of Clay’s weekly podcast as an ongoing contributor to Listening to America. In her first installment she reviews The Spymasters.
- Published in Books
America’s Unrelenting Love Affair With the Automobile
Sunday, January 07 2024
The American automobile is one of the most revolutionary (and liberating) technologies in human history.
- Published in Features
Holiday Special: Clay Reads “Mr. Ingalls Meets Santa Claus” From Little House on the Prairie
Sunday, December 24 2023
Holiday Special: Clay reads “Mr. Ingalls Meets Santa Claus” from Little House on the Prairie
- Published in Books
Rosalynn Carter
Sunday, December 03 2023
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter didn’t possess the glamour of the Kennedys, or the charisma and ambition of the Clintons, yet Rosalynn Carter stood out as one of the strongest first ladies in American history. Assertive and impactful, she rightfully takes her place alongside Eleanor Roosevelt.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
The Western Flyer: Steinbeck’s Boat, The Sea of Cortez, and the Saga of Pacific Fisheries
Tuesday, November 28 2023
Russ Eagle reviews Kevin Bailey’s book about the legendary boat made famous by Steinbeck.
- Published in Books
Listening to America as It Approaches its 250th Anniversary
Tuesday, November 14 2023
I’m taking this winter to plan details for my quest next spring to explore the country in the shadow of John Steinbeck’s classic book Travels With Charley in Search of America. I’ll write about our plans from time to time and would love to hear your thoughts about what we have in the works.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road