James Fallows, a national correspondent for The Atlantic, and Deborah Fallows, a linguist and writer, are the co-authors of Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America. “The credo of reporting—you know, what you don’t know till you show it—that’s my 'this-I-believe.' That’s the reason I’ve stayed in this line of work for this many decades because there’s nothing more fascinating that you can do but to serially satisfy your curiosity about things. What’s it like on an aircraft carrier? What’s it like in a Chinese coalmine? What’s it like in a giant data center in Wyoming? What is it like in all of these things? And journalism gives you a structural excuse to go do those.” Thanks to MailChimp, MUBI, Best Self Journal, and Thermacell for sponsoring this week's episode. Also: Longform Podcast t-shirts are now available! @JamesFallows @FallowsDeb James Fallows on Longform Longform Podcast t-shirts [02:15] Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America (Pantheon • 2018) [09:25] The Reinvention of America (New Yorker • May 2018) [19:40] James Fallows's archive at The Atlantic [27:20] Tears of Autum (Charles McCarry • E.P. Dutton • 1974) [34:35] James Fallows's archive at Washington Monthly [38:20] "Lloyd Bentsen: Can Another Texan Apply?" (The Atlantic • Dec 1974) [44:05] “The Passionless Presidency” (The Atlantic • May 1979) [58:25] Redlands Daily Facts [58:45] The Morning Call [59:05] Seven Days [59:15] Erie Reader Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices