Episode 133 Notes and Links to Nick Buccola’s Work
On Episode 133 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Nick Buccola, and the two discuss, among other topics, Nick’s early love of story and history, formative and inspiring assignments and teachers in his early education, the effects of the innovative and supportive and brilliant educators at Santa Clara University that nudged him towards his studies in political science and history, ideas of objectivity in writing, his book on Frederick Douglass, and his seminal work on the famous debate between William F. Buckley, Jr. and James Baldwin, with all of its attendant themes and connections to today’s world.
Nick Buccola is a writer, lecturer, and teacher who specializes in the area of American political thought. He is author of The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America, as well as a fellow Santa Clara University alum.
Nick Buccola's Website
William F. Buckley and James Baldwin’s Legendary Debate
Buy The Fire Is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate Over Race in America
The Atlantic Article-Review of Book: “The Famous Baldwin-Buckley Debate Still Matters Today”
Nick summarizes the book in a video for Linfield University
Nick speaks about the book with the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Gov.
At about 1:40, Nick talks about his relationship with words and language and story
At about 4:40, Nick discusses key moments in his reading and literary life throughout school, including Ms. Kraut’s spirited reading aloud in class, and Ms. Crawford, the “politically pugnacious” junior high teacher
At about 7:15, Nick cites some transformational and inspirational teachers along his educational journey, particularly those who helped him foster a love of history and political science
At about 9:20, Nick shares a cool fact about his Ph. D. invitation list
At about 9:45, Nick gives background on his early writing as he worked toward graduate degrees and publication; he shouts out Santa Clara University Professor Terri Perretti’s encouragement
At about 13:15, The two discuss the impact of the Jesuits and their sense of inquiry; Nick cites a shared professor, Father Mark Ravizza, and his innovation and brilliance
At about 16:00, The two nerd out about the Decalog, a movie series explored through a class at SCU
At about 16:45, Nick and Pete agree on the power of class discussion
At about 18:00, Nick provides background for his writing on Frederick Douglass
At about 21:25, Pete asks Nick about “seeds” for his book on the famous debate between William F. Buckley and James Baldwin
At about 25:30, The two discuss the effects of Baldwin’s speeches on their respective students
At about 26:50, Nick discusses ideas of objectivity and subjectivity in his writing of the book
At about 32:25, Nick discusses a debating technique that Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts highlighted-”The Jimmy”
At about 33:40, Pete and Nick detail the book’s structure that serves to lead up to the debate itself, as well as the characterizations of Buckley and Baldwin that informed the scenes
At about 35:55, Nick dips a toe into the water in giving his experience with the book and lessons learned on craft
At about 39:30, The fathers/stepfathers of the two debaters are discussed as written about in the book and how these fathers affected their sons’ worldviews
At about 43:50, The two lay out Baldwin’s “cosmopolitan” lifestyle and formative years in his 20s and Buckley’s Yale experience and its effect on his writing and later ideas
At about 45:20, Nick speaks to the ideas expressed in Buckley’s writing about Yale and today’s ideas of “liberalization” on college campuses
At about 49:20, Nick sets out Baldwin’s views of debate and knowledge and questioning
At about 50:20, The two discuss Baldwin and Buckley’s actions in the 1950s, especially their publications,
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