VIDEO: Jeff Sharlet Reads from The Undertow at Bette’s Founder’s Day
Here is the video of author Jeff Sharlet reading from his profoundly important book The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War
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“The opposite of fascism isn’t anti-fascism — that’s a tool to stop fascism. The opposite of fascism in my mind is a vital democratic culture that is so attractive and so beautiful… just this gorgeous thing. We’re not there yet.”
—Jeff Sharlet, Bette’s Founder’s Day
Thank you to everyone who attended our Founder’s Day event with author Jeff Sharlet — and thank you to my high-level supporters who make these events possible.
I opened up this event to all paid members due to the importance of Jeff’s work, and I also knew how magical it would be to hear his words read from his pages by him.
As Jeff read from his brilliant book, The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Moving Civil War, I was reminded how so many of the most important people in this war for the soul of America are the writers.
Jeff offers thoughtful insights into the human condition and relays these insights with humanity and compassion.
“One person’s targeting is another person’s organizing, one person’s cult, is another person’s movement.”—Jeff Sharlet, Bette’s Founder’s Day
To support his work, you can purchase The Undertow here.
More about Jeff:
Jeff Sharlet is the New York Times and national bestselling author of THE FAMILY and C STREET, and executive producer of the 2019 Netflix five-part documentary series based on them, THE FAMILY. His newest book is THE UNDERTOW: Scenes from a Slow Civil War (W.W. Norton, March 2023). His other books include THIS BRILLIANT DARKNESS, SWEET HEAVEN WHEN I DIE, and RADIANT TRUTHS. With Peter Manseau he wrote KILLING THE BUDDHA and edited BELIEVER, BEWARE. Of SWEET HEAVEN WHEN I DIE, The Washington Post writes, "This book belongs in the tradition of long-form, narrative nonfiction best exemplified by Joan Didion, John McPhee [and] Norman Mailer… Sharlet deserves a place alongside such masters.” An article for GQ that became the beginning of THIS BRILLIANT DARKNESS won a National Magazine Award, and excerpts from C STREET were honored with the Molly Ivins Prize, the Thomas Jefferson Award, the Outspoken Award, and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association's prize for feature writing. Barbara Ehrenreich called THE FAMILY "one of the most compelling and brilliantly researched exposes you'll ever read."
Jeff is the Frederick Sessions Beebe '35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College, a contributing editor for Vanity Fair and editor-at-large for VQR. He has been a frequent commentator on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show," "All in With Chris," and NPR's "Fresh Air." He has received grants and fellowships from The MacDowell Colony, the Blue Mountain Center, The Nation Institute, and other organizations. His writing on music has twice been featured in the annual BEST MUSIC WRITING volume.
RadPod’s interview with him is epic.
And here are some key quotes from Jeff from that RadPod interview, which I also wrote as a print report here:
And one more quote from our Founder’s Day event:
“I don’t believe in safe spaces, I believe in safe moments that we create together.”—Jeff Sharlet, Bette’s Founder’s Day
To access the video, please upgrade your membership here.
Thank you so much for your support of independent investigative journalism.
VIDEO LINK BELOW…
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Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members. Thank you as well to all those who support my work with your generous coffee tips and who buy my ebooks. Some of you prefer making subsidizing donations via venmo, and it’s always greatly appreciated.
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Founding Members who support me at the premium level will be invited to our monthly Founder’s Day events — please upgrade to Founding Member if you would like to join us for these special intimate occasions to meet global experts. Our most recent Founder’s Day with war photojournalist was magical. Here is a print recap:
Also, a private link to an annual membership discount for older adults, those on fixed incomes or drawing disability, as well as activists and members of the media is available upon request at bettedangerous@gmail.com. 🥹
More info about Bette Dangerous - This magazine is written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, an Emmy-award winning investigative reporter, author, and veteran music and nightlife columnist. She is the cohost of RADICALIZED Truth Survives, an investigative show about disinformation and is part of the Byline Media team. Thank you for your support of independent investigative journalism.
Begin each day with a grateful heart.
VIDEO HERE…
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