fredrick: i am hopeful. i do think that her younger generation can, my own kids are an example of this but also others i think they can do this. i do think we need desperately for americans to reengage with civic life. will need to do this. i think the example of jack kennedy and young jack kennedy helps us to do this. hope this comes out of those chapters of the book. it struck by the degree to which within the meant or maybe 1936 and 37 or 38, when he is an undergraduate. he is asking large questions about the survival democracy. is it suited to the stage. in responding to the authoritarian threats . can we do this. are there leaders who will grasp this and accomplish this . is asking that even as an undergraduate in the pieces, as in some ways, that is the heart of the thesis. why would an chamberlain, seemingly un- able to prepare for war. if it is ultimately a think the hopeful message. and he comes back to the question. i think that he decides that democracy requires able leadership more than that it r

the united states of america and that was very welcome change for many americans from the divisive fredrick that we have heard from president trump over the last 4 years and president elect joe biden also think african-americans saying you stood up for us when we really needed it and that was very important because the black communities in places like atlanta and philadelphia really helped to win this election one of the top priorities for the incoming administration. biden made very clear that his number one priority would be controlling the coronavirus pandemic is already said he is very shortly going to announce a task force with scientists and experts on board which was of course very good news for many people here in the u.s. who were tired of hearing from a president who does not seem to care very much about about science and about medical experts and then biden also mentioned that he was going to fight a systemic racism and tackle climate change and he has previously said that the u.s. for example would rejoin the paris climate agreement those are the things that are on the top of hi

but was privileged to hear david blythe discussed fredrick douglas britton noting his admissions of hisife anna and his autobiographies, it reminded me of ben franklin's omission of references to jane than any of his public writings. so i wondered if this is perhaps typical of the times. and not as much of a slight as it seems? sue neck that is it interesting question. for those have not read david blythe's wonderful biography, you absolutely should. this is actually an opportunity for me to it correct a fact. you said my book about ben franklin won the national book award, it didn't, is in the finals for the national book award for it i will correct that here. yes. so here it's worthwhile remembering that frederick douglas who wrote three autobiographies the first was published in 1845, the life of frederick douglass, was very much influenced by benjamin franklin's autobiography. which was published first in 1790 right after franklin died. in english shortly thereafter. not in franklin's lifetime. and so really is every american autobiography influenced by benjamin franklin's autobiogr