Why people recommend it
The End of the Myth by Greg Grandin is a historical work that examines the concept of the American frontier, arguing that the idea of endless expansion has historically shaped American politics, identity, and violence. On an October 2024 episode of The Daily Stoic, host Ryan Holiday and guest Wright Thompson discussed the themes of the book while exploring America's darkest historical secrets. Holiday expressed his admiration for the book, noting how it informs discussions about national expansion and the final settlement of American land. Thompson echoed this sentiment during the conversation, referencing Greg Grandin's work to contextualize the complex and often violent history of how the American landscape was claimed and settled. Both speakers utilized the book's analytical framework to delve into the darker realities of national mythology, contrasting the romanticized ideal of the frontier with the historical friction and conflict that defined actual territorial acquisition. The discussion on the podcast illustrated how Grandin's historical analysis remains a crucial text for understanding contemporary American identity, national trauma, and the ongoing psychological legacy of the closed frontier in modern political discourse.
Who recommended it
- Wright Thompson Discussed
- Ryan Holiday Recommended
Wright Thompson — 1 mention
“you know I love that Greg grandon book The End Of The Myth but like if there's a you know there's a case to be made that the land where mattil was killed is America was finally settled”
Ryan Holiday — 1 mention
“And you know, I love that Greg Grandon book, 'The End of the Myth,' but like if there's a—you know, there's a case to be made that the land where Matt Till was killed is America was finally settled.”