About this episode

Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger explore Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, discussing its themes of moral authority, historical trauma, and redemption in leadership.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo w/Jesan Sorrells & Libby Unger --- Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger explore Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Misérables, examining its insights on moral authority, the impact of historical trauma, and the power of redemption in leadership. They discuss Hugo's romanticism, the enduring influence of French history on civic institutions, and how individual heroism still inspires contemporary audiences. The episode also draws parallels between Les Misérables' characters, modern social issues, and the necessity of aligning leadership values with virtuous action. Book Title: Les Misérables Author: Victor Hugo Guests: Jesan Sorrells, Libby Unger --- Time-Stamped Overview --- 00:00 Introduction to a Classic Book 06:31 Discovering French history through Les Mis 13:15 European influence and historical trends 17:10 Victor Hugo's impact on France 26:14 Moral authority in leaders and characters 27:34 Ben Hur and themes of revenge 36:57 Monsignor Bienvenue's isolating virtue 42:19 Life after prison struggles 42:58 The power of small kindnesses 49:50 Perceptions of America through the FIFA World Cup (2026) 58:02 Discussing political candidates' solutions 59:35…

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