Hi, welcome to the Eric Mataxis show.

I just found out I'm supposed to be someplace else right now.

So my sincere apologies, but I simply won't be able to introduce today's host, Mr. Eric Mataxis.

Hey, folks, welcome to the Eric Mataxis show. As you know, this is the show about everything. We like to talk about everything, a little bit of everything, everything that I think will interest you.

One of the things that I love to talk about is culture and books. As you know, I've written a number of books.

I very recently came across a biography of one of my favorite human beings, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

If you've watched this program or listen to this program for a few years,

you know what a fan I am of Paul Revere's ride. And when I saw this biography, a new biography, about Longfellow called Cross of Snow, I said, I've got to see this book. I spent the last four

days reading this book, knowing that I would have the privilege

to interview the author of this book. And right now, for the full hour, my guest is Nick Bazbane.

Nick Bazbane's, welcome to this program. Well, thank you, Eric. Thank you for the wonderful

comments about the book.

Very gratifying.

You know, as an author of books yourself, it doesn't mean a thing until you hear from readers.

Here, you know, respond.

Well, look, I want to tell you, I'm rarely intimidated, but I read this book and I thought to myself,

first of all, let me say this, it is extremely well

written. There are many books that have important ideas in them, but there aren't that many

books that are written in a way that is itself beautiful. I pride myself on my writing,

and when I encounter great writing, it was such a joy.

Let's just say that I realize when I'm talking to you, I'm talking to a real man of letters.

You've written many books. You've written books about books. So let's, before we leap into Longfellow, if you don't mind, I just want to ask you a little bit about your own books. So let's, before we leap into Longfellow, if you don't mind, I just want to ask you a little bit

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