Robert Darnton: Scholars' Library Extra
Robert discusses his latest book, The Revolutionary Temper, the 40th anniversary of his seminal work, The Great Cat Massacre, memories of his time in Oxford, and his work with the Digital Public Library of America.
Nadine Pinede: When The Mapou Sings
Infused with magical realism, this story blends first love and political intrigue with a quest for justice and self-determination in 1930s Haiti. Nadine (Connecticut & St John's 1986), the daughter of Haitian immigrants, is a poet, author, editor, translator, and education consultant.
Eric Redman: The Kawika Wong Mystery series
Eric (Washington & Magdalen 1970) is a Seattle-based writer, lawyer, and climate activist who for decades has loved the Big Island of Hawaii, its history, and its people. He is a former contributing editor of Rolling Stone and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. He joined us to discuss his novels Bones of Hilo and Death in Hilo.
Mervyn Morris: Scholars' Library Extra
Mervyn (Jamaica & St Edmund Hall 1958), reads poems from his collection Peelin Orange, and talks about his career, his study of "mixed Englishes", and his time as Poet Laureate of Jamaica.
Jasmine Brown: Twice As Hard
No complete history of black women physicians in the United States exists, and what little mention is made to these women in existing histories is often insubstantial or altogether incorrect. Jasmine (Missouri & Hertford 2018) tells the stories of these doctors from the perspective of a black woman in medicine, what she uncovers about these women’s struggles and their need to work twice as hard and be twice as good.
Cristina A. Bejan: Scholars' Library Extra
Cristina (North Carolina & Wadham 2004) talks to us about her recently-published anthology of plays, bringing together the community of Rhodes Scholars in the creative arts, and performs poems from her collections.
Monica Youn: From From
“Where are you from . . . ? No—where are you from from?” It’s a question every Asian American gets asked as part of an incessant chorus saying you’ll never belong here, you’re a perpetual foreigner, you’ll always be seen as an alien, an object, or a threat.
Damon Salesa: An Indigenous Ocean
Damon (New Zealand & Oriel 1997) is the Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology. He is an interdisciplinary scholar who works on Oceania, especially history, politics and culture. Here he discusses his book, An Indigenous Ocean: Pacific Essays, which offers new perspectives on this vast ocean – its people, its cultures, its pasts and its future.
Robert Rotberg: Scholars' Library Extra
Robert (New Jersey & University 1957) discusses the milestone of his Conflict Mitigation Newsletter reaching 300 issues, and how the world has become more lawless in the two and a half years of the newsletter. He also talks about Grand Corruption, and looks back on his 1988 biography of Cecil Rhodes.
Malcolm Turnbull: A Bigger Picture
The Honourable Malcolm Turnbull AC (New South Wales & Brasenose 1978) discusses his time as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister (2015-2018) and recollections from his time at Oxford, and shares insights in the state of global politics today.
John Edwards: Scholars' Library Extra
John (British Columbia & Hertford 1967) reads his poetry and talks about the inspiration for his writing and painting. We discuss his love of Greek poet, Sappho, Roman cookery, and a gift left by the herd of elk who visit his quince farm on Vancouver Island.
Maureen Dunne: The Neurodiversity Edge
Maureen (Illinois & New College 1999) discusses her journey writing the book, the challenges of authentic neuroinclusion and the role it stands to play in the age of artificial intelligence, and ways in which to build a universal empathy network where the broadest possible range of cognitive diversity is celebrated as an asset.
Robert Calderisi: Cecil Rhodes and Other Statues
Robert Calderisi (Québec & St Peter's 1968) discusses his new biography of Cecil Rhodes, what he learned from 3 years of research into Rhodes, advice for Scholars grappling with the legacy, and examples of other controversial statues.
Joseph Nye: Life in the American Century
Joseph Nye (New Jersey & Exeter 1958) discusses his new memoir A Life in the American Century. In conversation with fellow Scholar Ziyi Wang (China & Queen's 2021), Joseph talks about power and political leadership, his personal journey between Harvard and Washington, life in Oxford in the late 50's, and how US academia and government have changed over the years.
Jonathan Shapiro: How to be Abe Lincoln
Jonathan Shapiro (California & Oriel 1985) discusses his newest book How to be Abe Lincoln: Seven Steps Toward Leading a Legendary Life with Lucas Tse (Hong Kong & Hertford 2018). Does Lincoln still matter? Why is laughter the first step to being Lincoln? and how would Lincoln handle our current political climate?
Geza Tatrallay: Memoirs
Geza (Ontario & St Catherine's 1972) discusses his three memoirs, For the Children, The Expo Affair and The Fencers. All three books in this trilogy of narrative memoirs are true stories of escape attempts Geza was involved in during the Cold War. They are gripping tales of bravery and the will to survive and achieve a better life in a free country and are particularly relevant today with the brutal Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the similar plight of many Ukrainian refugee families.
Jennifer Robinson: Silenced Women
Jennifer (Australia-at-Large & Balliol 2006) discusses her book Silenced Women: Why The Law Fails Women and How to Fight Back (previously published as How Many More Women?) with Scholar in Residence Maisy Bentley (New Zealand & Balliol 2023). Jennifer talks about censorship against women, the #MeToo movement, and how we might begin to understand the problems of gender-based violence in our society.
Max Price: Statues and Storms
Max (South Africa-at-Large & Magdalen 1980) discusses his book Statues and Storms. In conversation with Nomfundo Ramalekana (South Africa-at-Large & Lady Margaret Hall 2015), Max talks about protests, protest movements and how this has changed over recent years, the removal of the Rhodes statue at UCT as well as the relationship between leadership and making tough decisions.
Charalee Graydon: Scholars' Library Extra
Charalee (Prairies & Wadham 1982) discusses her books on law, climate change and art and how the Paris Agreement and COP conferences have influenced her work.