Season 3, Episode 6 (Show 110): Declaration, or Gettysburg? – Special Guest Kermit Roosevelt III

February 1, 2023

Professor Amar is joined by Professor and Author, Kermit Roosevelt III, for a discussion of his new book, The Nation That Never Was, which attempts to find the American narrative in a time besieged by the claims and advocacy of the 1619 and 1776 projects.

A new book, The Nation That Never Was, by Professor Kermit Roosevelt III of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, engages in extensive historical, legal, political, and philosophical analysis of the American story.  This is nothing less than a search for America’s most useful and unifying narrative, even as we are living with the controversy and divisions that the “1619” and “1776” projects have wrought (or highlighted).  Professor Roosevelt embraces some of Professor Amar’s key innovations and claims, including the centrality of the Reconstruction Amendments for valid originalist analyses,  but he also makes claims that, shall we say, get Akhil’s (and Andy’s!) attention.  So, too, will it grab your attention as you listen to a respectful debate.