Episode 87 - Tom Lutz - 1925 ... Not Just Another Year

In this engaging conversation, David Bryan and Tom Lutz explore the significance of the year 1925 in American literature, discussing its remarkable contributions and the evolution of literary publishing. 

Lutz shares insights into the founding of the Los Angeles Review of Books, reflecting on the cultural perceptions of literature and the ongoing presence of extraordinary talent in the arts. In their conversation, Tom Lutz and David Bryan explore various themes related to entrepreneurship, cultural perspectives on publishing, the role of nonprofits in literature, and the surprises of the 1920s. 

They discuss the evolution of gardening and sustainability, the creative process of writing, and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in literature. The conversation culminates in reflections on the lessons from the 1920s that can inform contemporary society, particularly in the context of rising nationalism and the need for resistance against regressive movements.

Tom Lutz (born March 21, 1953) is an American writer, literary critic, and academic, renowned for his contributions to literature and publishing. He is the founding editor-in-chief and publisher of the Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB), which he launched in 2011 to provide a platform for literary criticism and cultural commentary.

     After working in various trades, Lutz pursued higher education, earning a B.A. in English and Journalism from the University of Massachusetts. He then obtained a master's degree and a Ph.D. in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University. 

       Lutz served as a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside). He retired in 2024 and now holds the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Throughout his academic tenure, he taught at various institutions, including Stanford University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Copenhagen. 

Lutz is the author of numerous books spanning cultural history, travel writing, and fiction. His notable works include:

• American Nervousness, 1903: An Anecdotal History (1991)

• Crying: The Natural and Cultural History of Tears (1999)

• Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America (2007), which received the American Book Award in 2008

• Born Slippy: A Novel (2020)

• Aimlessness (2021)

• The Kindness of Strangers (2021)

• Portraits: Moments of Intimacy on the Road (2022)

His forthcoming works include Still Slippy: A Novel and 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia, both slated for release in 2025