Episode 52: Letting the primary sources tell the story with Rachel Cockerell episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 16, 2025 · 27 MIN

Episode 52: Letting the primary sources tell the story with Rachel Cockerell

from Writing It! · host The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida

In this episode, we’re talking with writer and historian Rachel Cockerell, author of Melting Point: Family, Memory and the Search for a Promised Land, about the process of writing a family history that Zadie Smith, Simon Schama, and others have praised. Cockerell tells us about her research and writing process; deciding to take out the narrative voice and letting the primary sources tell the story on their own; and why fiction often serves as a model for the kind of reading experience she hopes to give readers. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 16, 2025

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Episode 52: Letting the primary sources tell the story with Rachel Cockerell

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