One hundred years ago, a New York bookseller Gabriel Wells, committed a crime against history. He broke up the world’s greatest book, the Gutenberg Bible, and sold it off in individual pages, which he marketed as Noble Fragments. 

Half a century later, Sydney journalist Michael Visontay stumbled upon a mysterious legal document that linked Wells to his own family and changed its destiny. 

In this episode of Gleetalks, Visontay talks to critic and author Caroline Baum about his hunt for those fragments, what he discovered in the arcane world of antique book collectors, and his family’s debt to an act of literary vandalism in his book Noble Fragments: The Maverick Who Broke Up the World’s Greatest Book.

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Gleetalks Michael Visontay Noble Fragments

Australian politics is shifting. The two-party system was broken at the last federal election, and another minority government is a real possibility at this one. Politics-as-usual is not enough for many voters.

In this timely episode of Gleetalks (Gleetalks Link) George Megalogenis traces the how and why of a political realignment in his Quarterly Essay: Minority Rule: The New Shape of Australian Politics with broadcaster and author David Marr. 

This is about the teals, the Greens and the Coalition. In a contest between new and old, progressive and conservative, which vision of Australia will win out? But it’s also about Labor in power – is careful centrism the right strategy for the times, or is something else required? With the election only weeks away, this is essential listening to understand the new political landscape.

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Gleetalks George Megalogenis Minority Rule

Australian political leaders have bent the knee for decades, placing the ANZUS treaty at the centre of the nation’s security. AUKUS has become the latest symbol of strategic solidarity. For Australia’s governments, of whatever political persuasion, America continues to define the global rules-based order. 

Now that the American people have elected Donald Trump as the forty-seventh president, how will his presidency affect Australia's foreign policy, trade, climate action and approach to human rights? More importantly, will Australia be able to act in its own interests, or will it simply defer to Trump’s idea of America? 

In this episode of Gleetalks, Director of the Australia Institute’s Security and International Affairs program, Dr Emma Shortis discusses this crazy brave new world order with journalist Richard Cooke and her new essay, After America, part of the Australia Institute’s new ideas series, Vantage Point.

Like what you heard? Buy your copy here: https://gleebooks.com.au/product/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1/

Gleetalks Emma Shortis After America

We all love the complex flavours of Indian food, but why aren't garam masala or tamarind as common in our pantry as soy sauce and tomato paste?

It’s a question answered  by 2021 Masterchef winner Justin Narayan in his delectable cookbook Everything is Indian, published by Murdoch Books, drawing on his Fijian-Indian heritage and inspired by his multicultural upbringing.

In this episode of Gleetalks, Justin takes us on a flavourful journey as he chats to food critic Nicholas Jordan.

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Justin Narayan Everything is Indian

Gleetalks is a series of some of the most interesting and popular conversations from Sydney’s finest literary events program at Sydney's best loved bookshop. Go to our events page to discover even more fascinating discussions featuring some of Australia and the world's most interesting people!

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