Episode 133 with Nicholas Buccola, Keen and Reflective and Innovative Political Scientist, Historian, and Author of The Fire is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr. and The Debate...

Episode 133 Notes and Links to Nick Buccola’s Work 

 

    On Episode 133 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Nick Buccola, and the two discuss, among other topics, Nick’s early love of story and history, formative and inspiring assignments and teachers in his early education, the effects of the innovative and supportive and brilliant educators at Santa Clara University that nudged him towards his studies in political science and history, ideas of objectivity in writing, his book on Frederick Douglass, and his seminal work on the famous debate between William F. Buckley, Jr. and James Baldwin, with all of its attendant themes and connections to today’s world.  

    Nick Buccola is a writer, lecturer, and teacher who specializes in the area of American political thought. He is author of The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America, as well as a fellow Santa Clara University alum.

Nick Buccola's Website

 

William F. Buckley and James Baldwin’s Legendary Debate

 

Buy The Fire Is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate Over Race in America

 

The Atlantic Article-Review of Book: “The Famous Baldwin-Buckley Debate Still Matters Today”

 

Nick summarizes the book in a video for Linfield University

 

Nick speaks about the book with the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Gov.

 

 

 

At about 1:40, Nick talks about his relationship with words and language and story

 

At about 4:40, Nick discusses key moments in his reading and literary life throughout school, including Ms. Kraut’s spirited reading aloud in class, and Ms. Crawford, the “politically pugnacious” junior high teacher

 

At about 7:15, Nick cites some transformational and inspirational teachers along his educational journey, particularly those who helped him foster a love of history and political science

At about 9:20, Nick shares a cool fact about his Ph. D. invitation list 

 

At about 9:45, Nick gives background on his early writing as he worked toward graduate degrees and publication; he shouts out Santa Clara University Professor Terri Perretti’s encouragement 

 

At about 13:15, The two discuss the impact of the Jesuits and their sense of inquiry; Nick cites a shared professor, Father Mark Ravizza, and his innovation and brilliance

 

At about 16:00, The two nerd out about the Decalog, a movie series explored through a class at SCU

 

At about 16:45, Nick and Pete agree on the power of class discussion 

 

At about 18:00, Nick provides background for his writing on Frederick Douglass

 

At about 21:25, Pete asks Nick about “seeds” for his book on the famous debate between William F. Buckley and James Baldwin

 

At about 25:30, The two discuss the effects of Baldwin’s speeches on their respective students 

 

At about 26:50, Nick discusses ideas of objectivity and subjectivity in his writing of the book

 

At about 32:25, Nick discusses a debating technique that Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts highlighted-”The Jimmy”

 

At about 33:40, Pete and Nick detail the book’s structure that serves to lead up to the debate itself, as well as the characterizations of Buckley and Baldwin that informed the scenes 

 

At about 35:55, Nick dips a toe into the water in giving his experience with the book and lessons learned on craft

 

At about 39:30, The fathers/stepfathers of the two debaters are discussed as written about in the book and how these fathers affected their sons’ worldviews  

 

At about 43:50, The two lay out Baldwin’s “cosmopolitan” lifestyle and formative years in his 20s and Buckley’s Yale experience and its effect on his writing and later ideas

 

At about 45:20, Nick speaks to the ideas expressed in Buckley’s writing about Yale and today’s ideas of “liberalization” on college campuses

 

At about 49:20, Nick sets out Baldwin’s views of debate and knowledge and questioning

 

At about 50:20, The two discuss Baldwin and Buckley’s actions in the 1950s, especially their publications, that help them crystallize some of their signature ideas and ideals  

 

At about 52:50, Nick discusses Buckley’s attempts to distance himself from white supremacy in some ways while also espousing clearly racist views

 

At about 55:45, Nick compares ideas espoused by Buckley and comparisons to modern-day political coverage 

 

At about 56:45, Nick puts Baldwin’s political outlook in perspective 

 

At about 57:20, George Wallace and his connection to the book’s events is discussed 

 

At about 1:01:00, Some generalities of the debate itself are discussed, with Baldwin’s strong start and debating style and subject matter particularly emphasized, including the book’s Epilogue 

 

At about 1:03:40, Nick shares some concluding remarks about “coming to terms with history” as inspired by James Baldwin

 

At about 1:05:00, Nick shouts out bookstores like Powell’s and Bookshop to buy the book and gives contact information/social media information

 

At about 1:06:15, Pete highlights book endorsements by Whoopi Goldberg, The Atlantic (writer Gabrielle Bellot), and Ibram X. Kendi

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    Please tune in for Episode 134 with Kirstin Chen, professor of creative writing at the University of San Francisco and in Ashland University’s Low-Residency MFA Program. She is The New York Times best-selling author of three novels, and her latest, Counterfeit, out now, is the June ’22 Reese’s Book Club pick

    The episode will air on July 18.