Episode 42: Errors of Commission
October 20, 2021
The Biden Commission has released a draft report on “term limits” for the Court; we address the arguments.
Remember “18 reasons for 18 years?” Well, so did the Biden Commission, and as they reject court packing, they flirt with the 18 year plan. A few voices are raising in the media and even some on the commission, so we review their arguments and analyze their possible merits. A big question – can it be implemented by statute, or is a constitutional amendment required? No surprise that Akhil has a clear opinion on this. If this happens, you heard it here first – or rather, you read it first back in 2002 when Akhil and his co-author came up with it.
Show Notes:
Episode 41: Speaking of the First Amendment – Joint Episode with FIRE
October 13, 2021
Akhil discusses the history of the First Amendment in an episode we are sharing with “So to Speak” from FIRE.
Amarica’s Constitution shares the stage this week with the fine podcast “So to Speak” from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). Professor Amar is interviewed by FIRE, and the history of the First Amendment leads to – surprise! – a substantial number of fascinating constitutional law issues. Akhil takes time out to take issue with Robert Bork, by the way. And who kicked the dog?
Show Notes:
Episode 40: Adams or the Dog – Special Guest Edward J. Larson
October 6, 2021
Professor Edward J. Larson, Akhil’s co-teacher this semester for one of his Yale Law courses, joins us for a wide ranging discussion from science and religion at the founding to the fascinating partnership of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
The academic year is underway, and Professor Amar’s crazy teaching schedule, as usual, includes co-teaching with some of the greatest constitutional scholars in the nation. This semester Akhil is joined by Professor Edward Larson, whose amazingly wide range includes a PhD in History of Science in addition to his Harvard Law degree. So it is not surprising that as Professor Larson joins us for this episode, our discussion of George Washington ventures into GW the scientist. And speaking of scientists, Ed Larson also wrote a book on GW and Benjamin Franklin – was this an odd couple as it might first seem? We also take another shot at the James Madison vs. GW question while we’re at it. Oh, and religion shows up as well.
Show Notes:
Episode 39: Basically Random
September 29, 2021
The life and travails of an author, and of books; the saga from childhood reader to book tour continues.
Our look inside the literary world continues. So many of us are aspiring or perhaps would-be authors, but what is really involved, and can we really join that world? Akhil takes you through the many and sometimes surprising corners of this sphere, which is far more intricate than one might think. His personal route was not quite as smooth as it might seem, and the story of his move from a very successful book to another publisher, told here for the first time, is quite revealing of the milieu and the man.
Show Notes:
Episode 38: Empire of History – Special Guest Gordon S. Wood
September 22, 2021
America’s greatest living historian, Gordon Wood, joins Akhil and Andy for a wide-ranging discussion, beginning with his new book, “Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution.”
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It’s fitting that our recent discussion of how authors and their books are realized is followed this week by a discussion with the finest example of a historian, Gordon Wood. We explore his new book, “Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution;” locate it in the amazing arc of Gordon’s peerless career, and then conduct a lively discussion of what at first glance seems a clear disagreement between Akhil and Gordon: who was the “father of the Constitution?” The conclusion may surprise you. Finally, our historical and constitutional titans address an area of ongoing controversy surrounding the American Founding.
Show Notes:
Professors Wood and Amar at EverScholar 2021
Professors Wood and Amar at the recent EverScholar program, “The First American Founding,” held in New York City.
Episode 37: Literary Labyrinth
September 15, 2021
Professor Amar, author of seven books, explores the complex book ecosystem from writing to publishing and beyond – as he begins a book tour.
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It’s Constitution Week, and Akhil is “booked;” not only with events of the week, but on his book tour. Our series on scholars, schools, and scholarship resumes, then, with a comprehensive look at the entire ecosystem of books. What is the author’s process, and what happens after a book is written? How does a book, and an author, gain authority in a world of ubiquitous social media? And how does this take us to discussions of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments? We all believe we have a book in us, so this inside look speaks to all.