We talked with Lord Conrad Black, author of the new book Flight of the Eagle, a tour of American history from 1754 to 1992. Black identifies nine different phases that America has gone through, and how these phases have developed America into the great nation it is today.

Much was made of the concept of American Exceptionalism during the last presidential campaign. Is it something you believe to be fact? Charles Murray, the eminent social and political scientist from the American Enterprise Institute and author of the new book of the same name, says it is real – and that has nothing to do with emotional attachments to the United States or any patriotic statements. It’s something that even foreigners have conceded, going all the way back to the founding.

What makes Jewish humor different and unique? Or is it all that unique? We talk about that with one of our favorite guests, Ruth Wisse, who’s just written an excellent new book on the topic called No Joke: Making Jewish Humor.

Are civilizations cyclical? Must all civilizations die? We explore all this with David Goldman, author of How Civilizations Die: (And Why Islam Is Dying Too). He has more than a few thoughts on the topic of civilizations and their longevity.

We talked in 2013 with Rich Lowry about his then-new book Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream–and How We Can Do It Again.

Lowry, editor of National Review, traces Lincoln from his upbringing on a farm in Kentucky through the start of his political career, and discusses how Lincoln’s experiences shaped his political and cultural sense of government.