A short history of America - Simon Jenkins
Americano
The Spectator
4 • 714 Ratings
🗓️ 25 October 2025
⏱️ 41 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of Americano, Simon Jenkins joins Freddy Gray to discuss his new book, A Short History of America. They explore how the United States became the world’s dominant power, the myths that shaped its identity, and why Britain has always struggled to understand its transatlantic cousin.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Subscribe to The Spectator and get 12 weeks of Britain's most incisive politics coverage, |
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| 0:32.3 | to claim this offer now. Terms apply. |
| 0:45.7 | Hello and welcome back to the Americano show, a series of discussions in which we talk about American politics, power and prejudices. Each week, we will do at least two possibly more |
| 0:53.5 | episodes speaking to an American or an American expert about what is going on in America. |
| 1:00.1 | We will cover the Trump presidency, of course, but we will also be doing quite a lot of non-Trump-related podcasts, because if you're anything like me, the story of Donald Trump can get a bit overwhelming. |
| 1:13.0 | Please keep listening and enjoy. |
| 1:17.2 | Before we begin, I want to tell you about a very exciting event that is happening in London. |
| 1:24.4 | And that is another Americano live. |
| 1:27.8 | And I'm pleased to say we have secured our special internationally renowned guests. |
| 1:32.8 | That's Anne Coulter, the American commentator. |
| 1:35.4 | There will be plenty of interesting conversation |
| 1:37.2 | and very, very lively discussion from Anne at any rate. |
| 1:42.7 | Please do get a ticket. Simply go to spectator.com. |
| 1:49.3 | Dot.uk forward slash great again. Hello and welcome back to the Americano show. I am delighted, |
| 1:58.0 | honoured even, to be joined here in the Spectator's office by Simon Jenkins, |
| 2:02.3 | who's editor of The Evening Standard and The Times, and the author of a number of books. |
| 2:07.5 | Most recently, or now, I should say, a short history of America from Tea Party to Trump. |
... |
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