André Aciman gives us a primer on W. G. Sebald, who blurred the line between memory and fiction; Rowan Ricardo Phillips talks about the biomechanics of poetry; and Julian Gewirtz unveils the travel itinerary of the least likely visitor to communist China you’d expect: Milton Friedman.Mentioned in this episode:• André Aciman on W. G. Sebald and “The Life Unlived”• “Halo,” a poem by Rowan Ricardo Phillips and Langdon Hammer’s introduction• Julian Gewirtz’s essay, “Milton Friedman’s Misadventures in China”Tune in every two weeks to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek.Have suggestions for projects you’d like us to catch up on, or writers you want to hear from? Send us a note: podcast [at] theamericanscholar [dot] org.

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