Historians

Muskism: A guide for the perplexed

April 9, 2026

May 1, 2026|4:00–5:30 PM |820 Social Sciences Building

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With Quinn Slobodian, Professor of International History, Boston University, and Ben Tarnoff, Journalist

To understand Elon Musk and the world he intends to make, we have to understand the worlds that made him. So argue historian Quinn Slobodian and journalist Ben Tarnoff in their highly anticipated new book, Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed.

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCd8Bmy7AryjIGoFBABBZ5oCdrmZi9o3xi33rC…

Yuri Slezkine: The Jewish Century

Yuri Slezkine
2007

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Berkeley Professor Yuri Slezkine for a discussion of the Jewish odyssey in the 20th century. His comparative analysis focuses on the similarity of the Jews to other "Mercurians" and provides new insight into understanding the paths the Jews took amidst the chaos of the last century.

Key Words: Soviet Union, Communism, Russia, Religion.

William Cronon: The Life and Work of an Environmental Historian

William Cronon
2013

Host Harry Kreisler welcomes William Cronon, Research Professor of History, Geography, and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, for a discussion of the challenges of historical scholarship. Reflecting on his formative experiences, Cronon, a former President of the American Historical Association, discusses the influence of his parents, his education, and the culture and environment of Wisconsin. He analyzes the essential features of a liberal arts education, the importance of storytelling in history, the implications of the digital revolution for research and...

Tom Wicker: The Presidency, the Press, and the Cold War

Tom Wicker
1983

In this 1983 interview, Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes one of America's most distinguished journalists Tom Wicker for a discussion of the Presidency and the media at the height of the Cold War.

KEYWORDS: Soviet Union, Kennedy, Political Education, Cuban Missile Crisis, Presidents.

Tom Segev: Israel and the 1967 War

Tom Segev
2007

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Israeli journalist Tom Segev for a discussion of his new book, 1967: Israel, the War and the Year that Transformed the Middle East. Topics included in the discussion are changes in Israeli society before the 1967 war, the events leading to war, Israeli decision making during and after the war, the interplay between personality and politics, the consequences of the war for Israel and the role of U.S. foreign policy during the crisis.

KEYWORDS: Israel, Six Day War.

Tom Segev: Israeli National Identity

Tom Segev
2004

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Israeli historian and Haaretz columnist Tom Segev for a discussion of Israel including its changing national identity and its special relationship with the United States.

KEYWORDS: Israel, National Identity, Identity, Jewish Identity, Zionism, Political Identity

Tom Segev: The Life and Work of Simon Wiesenthal

Tom Segev
2010

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes historian Tom Segev for a discussion of his new book, The Life and Legends of Simon Wiesenthal. The conversation focuses on the roots of Wiesenthal's passionate commitment to justice and explores his lifelong quest to convict perpetrators of genocide. Wiesenthal's goal was to prevent future genocides by keeping the memory of the holocaust alive. Topics covered in the interview include Wiesenthal's circle of identities, his operating style, his perspectives on the holocaust, his involvement in the capture of Adolph Eichmann, his...

Sir Lawrence Freedman: Reflections on War

Sir Lawrence Freedman
2018

Conversations host welcomes Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College, London, for a discussion of his new book, The Future of War, A History. Sir Lawrence reflects on the historical perspective he brings to topics such as strategy and war. Emphasizing the importance of understanding patterns and context through the study of history, Sir Lawrence analyzes what we can learn through a focus on ideas that shape thinking about war. What are the origins of these ideas? How do these ideas hold up in the face of the flexibility of adversaries to develop new...

Ruth Rosen: The Women's Movement in Historical Perspective

Ruth Rosen
2001

In this edition, historian Ruth Rosen talks with UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler about the evolution of the women's movement and its impact on future generations of women.

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people/Rosen/rosen-con0.html

Key Words: Historians, Women Trailblazers

Roger Daniels: U.S. Immigration Policy

Roger Daniels
2010

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor Roger Daniels for a discussion of the history of immigration policy in the United States. Professor Daniels reflects on his work as a historian. He analyzes the treatment of Asians in American history, focusing on the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. He also provides an historical perspective on current immigration issues.

Key Words: Historians, Immigration, Refugees