“American Elegy” with author Ed Simon

Jul 11, 2026 · 47 min · 11 segments

I discuss with the author his book American Elegy: Reflections on 250 Years of the Dis-United States of America (Ig Publishing, 2026). Simon is the…

I discuss with the author his book American Elegy: Reflections on 250 Years of the Dis-United States of America (Ig Publishing, 2026). Simon is the founding editor of *The Pittsburgh Review of Books.* The book is a lively and lyrical medley of short “flash” essays, as he calls them, and our conversation ranges from his notes on “General Tso’s Chicken” as a sticky American fusion classic to his thoughts on Jane Jacob’s early 1960’s exploration of what makes for a vibrant urban milieu. As Simon tells me, there is much in the American experience—in the American song, it can be said—to celebrate notwithstanding all of the discordant notes. *Veteran journalist **Paul Starobin** is a former Moscow bureau chief for Business Week and a former contributing editor of* The Atlantic*. He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. His latest book,* Putin’s Exiles: Their Fight for a Better Russia *(Columbia Global Reports) will be published in January.* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I discuss with the author his book American Elegy: Reflections on 250 Years of the Dis-United States of America (Ig Publishing, 2026). Simon is the…

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