The Spymasters by Chris Whipple, Scribner 2021.
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.
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A stretch of old U.S. Highway (Route) 66 in Arizona. America's best-known highway, Route 66, was known as
The American automobile is one of the most revolutionary (and liberating) technologies in human history.
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Clay Jenkinson
Holiday Special: Clay reads “Mr. Ingalls Meets Santa Claus” from Little House on the Prairie
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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter

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.
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The Western Flyer returns home to Monterey Bay, California in November 2023. (Photo by Russ Eagle)
Russ Eagle reviews Kevin Bailey’s book about the legendary boat made famous by Steinbeck.
Book cover: Travels With Charlie
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.
On a visit to the Black Hills and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Clay happened upon the youth center dedicated to the memory of SuAnne Big Crow, the Oglala basketball star. Clay shares a little of her heroic story in this short video.
The Western Flyer returns home to Monterey Bay, California in November 2023. (Photo by Russ Eagle)
The fishing boat that took the author and his friend Ed Ricketts on their famous expedition to the Gulf of California in 1940 was pulled literally from the ocean floor for an eight-year, $7 million makeover. Recently, it returned to Monterey Harbor, ready to return to work. Listening to America's special Steinbeck correspondent, Russ Eagle, was there to cover the event.
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Lyndon B. Johnson takes the oath of office aboard Air Force One, 22 November 1963. (White House photo)
What happens in the gap between one administration and the next, especially when the outgoing president is unavailable? This “leadership gap” has had an intriguing influence on U.S. History.
My father’s birthday was November 1st. He died at 67, 30 years ago. But he has not faded in my heart and soul.