The Close Read Podcast

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit claremontinstitute.substack.comAssociate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Never Trump After 2024,” William Voegeli’s review of Never Trump: The Revolt of the Conservative Elites and Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign, featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue.

Jeffrey H. Anderson, president of the American Main Street Initiative and commentator on public history, critiques recent reinterpretations of national parks and monuments. He traces how curation shifted toward race-focused narratives, describes clashes over signage and memorials, and argues the 250th presents a chance to reset public memory and reclaim patriotic storytelling.

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Palace Intrigues,” Barry Strauss’s review of Kant: A Revolution in Thinking, featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

John Quincy Adams, son of John, grew up amid the turmoil of the revolution. At just 14, he served as interpreter of French for America’s first minister in Russia. He grew into a diplomat, a secretary of state, a president, and a ferociously anti-slavery congressman—after leaving office. He saw deep into the heart of the Declaration’s logic and made it his guiding light. Browsing the diary of JQA, contributing editor Christopher Flannery and associate editor Spencer Klavan delight in the sixth president’s achievements, his towering ambitions, and his oddly relatable notes of self-reproach. Plus: a peek at CRBs to come!The Diaries of John Quincy Adams 1779–1848In Revolution, Thucydides This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Streaming Shakespeare,” Martha Bayles’s column featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Associate Editor Spencer Klavan reads “Claustrophobic Metaphysics,” Edward Feser’s review of Kant: A Revolution in Thinking, featured in the Fall 2025-Winter 2026 double issue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

When Richard Nixon resigned as president in 1974, the Watergate scandal was officially logged in the public memory as a victory of the neutral press over an out-of-control “imperial presidency.” Now, after the Trump years have hightened mistrust of official sources and suspicion of the administrative state, the Nixon story is more and more open to revision. Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America Nathan Pinkoski joins Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to reassess the televised dethronement of Nixon, the failure of Trump’s antagonists to execute a similar crusade, and what it means for the future of the presidency. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Editor Charles Kesler is joined by Associate Editor Spencer Klavan to crack open the much-anticipated CRB double issue, released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CRB. Charles reflects on the Institute's principles, accomplishments, and prescience in his editor note. Paul Rahe equips readers to understand ongoing conflicts by exploring the history of Iranian revolutions. Christopher Caldwell tracks the rise of Zohran Mamdani and what it portends for both New York and Left politics. William Voegeli offers the definitive assessment of Never Trump. And much, much more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

A pioneer of computing technology, Nvidia produces the chief component powering the AI revolution: the microchip. Having scaled the once-niche gaming hardware firm into an industry titan, founder and CEO Jensen Huang must now navigate global trade and politics. Associate editor Spencer Klavan is joined by Emmet Penney, senior fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation and contributing editor of Compact magazine, to explain this pivotal technology for the uninitiated and discuss growing concerns that a thin U.S. power grid could give China an opportunity to surge far ahead in the digital arms race. Plus: The Close Read is now on video! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

Explore the enduring myth of World War II and why it captivates us. Delve into the complexities of postwar power dynamics and the origins of the UN. Examine America’s delay in confronting fascism and the tricky motivations behind its entry into the war. Question the narrative around the Allies' role in the Holocaust and how WWII myths have fueled subsequent conflicts. Plus, consider NATO's relevance today and whether it truly serves as a defensive alliance or a provocation to Russia.