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In this episode of The M.O. Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of an ambitious historical investigation with our special guest, historian Justin M. Jacobs. His latest book, Plunder? How Museums Got Their Treasures, challenges the dominant narrative that Western museums' collections are purely the result of theft and plunder. But instead of focusing solely on the book’s conclusions, we dive deep into the fascinating process of how this groundbreaking work came to be.
Jacobs shares the extensive challenges he faced in unearthing non-Western perspectives often absent from mainstream discourse, Jacobs gives us an insider's view into the detective work behind historical research. You'll hear about his biggest breakthroughs, and the surprising stories he uncovered along the way.
We also explore the logistics of writing and publishing a book of this scale. Whether you’re a writer, historian, or simply fascinated by the intricate processes behind ambitious cultural projects, this episode offers a candid and engaging look into how one historian's passion and perseverance turned a bold idea into a published reality. Justin M. Jacobs' journey isn’t just about telling the history of museum collections; it's about uncovering the hidden histories of how knowledge itself is preserved and shared.
As always, we’d love your feedback! Let us know what you want more or less of, and who you’d like to see interviewed next.
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