Christopher Leonard
@christopherleonard.bsky.social
Reporter and author of "Kochland," "The Lords of Easy Money," and "The Meat Racket."
Director of the Watchdog Writers Group at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Director of the Watchdog Writers Group at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Reposted by Christopher Leonard
@christopherleonard.bsky.social reports on the wave of labor unrest that has swept America’s workers in the weapons industry over the past year, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social on Pentagon spending going to military contractors. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
America Doesn’t Have Enough Weapons for a Major Conflict. These Workers Know Why.
This summer, employees at several big defense companies went on strike. Their grievances highlight a much larger problem brewing beneath the surface.
www.politico.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
@christopherleonard.bsky.social reports on the wave of labor unrest that has swept America’s workers in the weapons industry over the past year, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social on Pentagon spending going to military contractors. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by Christopher Leonard
Tonight's 'We Are Eating the Earth' event with author @mikegrunwald.bsky.social in conversation with investigative journalist @christopherleonard.bsky.social is live on YouTube. The program begins at 6 p.m. Join us!
www.youtube.com/live/zZzv-l1...
www.youtube.com/live/zZzv-l1...
We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate
One of today’s biggest environmental issues is how to curb the encroachment of farmland on natural habitats.
Agriculture significantly impacts climate change – more than transportation or industry an...
www.youtube.com
July 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Tonight's 'We Are Eating the Earth' event with author @mikegrunwald.bsky.social in conversation with investigative journalist @christopherleonard.bsky.social is live on YouTube. The program begins at 6 p.m. Join us!
www.youtube.com/live/zZzv-l1...
www.youtube.com/live/zZzv-l1...
I really enjoyed this conversation with
@NPRinskeep
on Morning Edition about our nation's defense industry.
These issues are urgently important as we face a new world of power blocs and mobilization.
Is our defense industry ready?
www.npr.org/2025/06/03/n...
@NPRinskeep
on Morning Edition about our nation's defense industry.
These issues are urgently important as we face a new world of power blocs and mobilization.
Is our defense industry ready?
www.npr.org/2025/06/03/n...
Author Christopher Leonard discusses the rise of the U.S. defense industry after WWII
As part of our series on the world that America made after World War II, NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with author Christopher Leonard about the rise of the U.S. defense industry post-1945.
www.npr.org
June 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with
@NPRinskeep
on Morning Edition about our nation's defense industry.
These issues are urgently important as we face a new world of power blocs and mobilization.
Is our defense industry ready?
www.npr.org/2025/06/03/n...
@NPRinskeep
on Morning Edition about our nation's defense industry.
These issues are urgently important as we face a new world of power blocs and mobilization.
Is our defense industry ready?
www.npr.org/2025/06/03/n...
Man, they’re playing Green Day on a “classic rock” station and I feel personally attacked.
May 12, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Man, they’re playing Green Day on a “classic rock” station and I feel personally attacked.
Wow. I am not a Revolutionary War guy by any means. But I read the first page of the new Rick Atkinson book and got irreversibly sucked in. I'm 200 pages in now, and it's just stupendous. Narrative historical writing at its finest.
www.amazon.com/Fate-Day-Tic...
www.amazon.com/Fate-Day-Tic...
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2)
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2) [Atkinson, Rick] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2)
www.amazon.com
May 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Wow. I am not a Revolutionary War guy by any means. But I read the first page of the new Rick Atkinson book and got irreversibly sucked in. I'm 200 pages in now, and it's just stupendous. Narrative historical writing at its finest.
www.amazon.com/Fate-Day-Tic...
www.amazon.com/Fate-Day-Tic...
I just spent a day doing job interviews with young journalism students at MU and let me please tell you, the kids are alright. There's a tremendous well of idealism, passion and talent to support this industry. The business models are a mess now, but the future leaders are strong.
May 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I just spent a day doing job interviews with young journalism students at MU and let me please tell you, the kids are alright. There's a tremendous well of idealism, passion and talent to support this industry. The business models are a mess now, but the future leaders are strong.
Reposted by Christopher Leonard
I know, I know, all the cool kids are anti-blurb now, but I have never been cool! What a ridiculous honor to have my book read so thoughtfully and generously by some of my favorite narrative nonfiction writers on the damn planet. (1/2) @christopherleonard.bsky.social
!["Greenwell has single-handedly exposed the hidden economic machine that increasingly runs-and ruins-our lives. [A] bombshell of a book."
-CHRISTOPHER LEONARD, author of Kochland and The Lords of Easy Money](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bb6m3nt3ohlter5c35zjlt6z/bafkreigoyvtzwgw2isewbotyjzp624bxjo67qd7rfdae6npccck3b6ajhe@jpeg)
April 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I know, I know, all the cool kids are anti-blurb now, but I have never been cool! What a ridiculous honor to have my book read so thoughtfully and generously by some of my favorite narrative nonfiction writers on the damn planet. (1/2) @christopherleonard.bsky.social
I'm on a major Barbara Tuchman kick. She's easily one of the best nonfiction writers who ever lived. The depth of reporting and research is matched by the beauty and power of the prose.
I hope we produce more modern-day Tuchmans!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stilwell-a...
I hope we produce more modern-day Tuchmans!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stilwell-a...
Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-1945|Paperback
Barbara W. Tuchman won her second Pulitzer Prize for this nonfiction masterpiece—an authoritative work of history that recounts the birth of modern China through the eyes of one extraordinary Am...
www.barnesandnoble.com
January 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I'm on a major Barbara Tuchman kick. She's easily one of the best nonfiction writers who ever lived. The depth of reporting and research is matched by the beauty and power of the prose.
I hope we produce more modern-day Tuchmans!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stilwell-a...
I hope we produce more modern-day Tuchmans!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stilwell-a...
The L.A. wildfires are yet another story ripped directly from the pages of the prophetic novel "The Deluge" by Stephen Markley. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I think about it all the time.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deluge...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deluge...
The Deluge|Paperback
A New York Times Notable Book “This book is, simply put, a modern classic. If you read it, you'll never forget it. Prophetic, terrifying, uplifting.” —Stephen King From the bestselli...
www.barnesandnoble.com
January 15, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The L.A. wildfires are yet another story ripped directly from the pages of the prophetic novel "The Deluge" by Stephen Markley. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I think about it all the time.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deluge...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deluge...
I would love to razz Patrick Radden Keefe for taking a modeling gig. But I can't do it because:
A) He's one of the most genuinely kind and down-to-earth people in this business and
B) I legit want that coat.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/s...
A) He's one of the most genuinely kind and down-to-earth people in this business and
B) I legit want that coat.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/s...
Celebrated New Yorker Writer Enlisted as Model
How do you follow up a couple best-selling books? If you’re Patrick Radden Keefe, you star in a J. Crew ad.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I would love to razz Patrick Radden Keefe for taking a modeling gig. But I can't do it because:
A) He's one of the most genuinely kind and down-to-earth people in this business and
B) I legit want that coat.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/s...
A) He's one of the most genuinely kind and down-to-earth people in this business and
B) I legit want that coat.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/s...
SCOOP: Tyson Foods has subpoenaed two news organizations, demanding they turn over notes and contacts with local farmers whom Tyson Foods put out of business.
I've never seen such aggressive subpoenas issued by a major corporation to news media.
investigatemidwest.org/2024/12/17/t...
I've never seen such aggressive subpoenas issued by a major corporation to news media.
investigatemidwest.org/2024/12/17/t...
Tyson Foods cut contracts with poultry farmers. Now the company is working to silence their legal fight. - Investigate Midwest
This story was produced by the Watchdog Writers Group in collaboration with Investigate Midwest. DEXTER, Missouri – On an early August morning in 2023, Shawn Hinkle received a call from one of his te...
investigatemidwest.org
December 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM
SCOOP: Tyson Foods has subpoenaed two news organizations, demanding they turn over notes and contacts with local farmers whom Tyson Foods put out of business.
I've never seen such aggressive subpoenas issued by a major corporation to news media.
investigatemidwest.org/2024/12/17/t...
I've never seen such aggressive subpoenas issued by a major corporation to news media.
investigatemidwest.org/2024/12/17/t...
Younger reporters—Best question you can ask, about two-thirds of the way through an interview, is: "Is there something I'm missing? Is there something important that I should be asking about that I'm not?"
Remember—what we don't know far exceeds what we do know!
Remember—what we don't know far exceeds what we do know!
December 10, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Younger reporters—Best question you can ask, about two-thirds of the way through an interview, is: "Is there something I'm missing? Is there something important that I should be asking about that I'm not?"
Remember—what we don't know far exceeds what we do know!
Remember—what we don't know far exceeds what we do know!
I used to talk policy with Lina Khan for hours at a time. And I'd go home from work and tell my wife: "My God, people in D.C. are so smart."
After a while I realized, no, it was not DC—it was just Lina who is so smart. There are lots of great people in DC, but Khan is unique.
After a while I realized, no, it was not DC—it was just Lina who is so smart. There are lots of great people in DC, but Khan is unique.
December 5, 2024 at 2:38 PM
I used to talk policy with Lina Khan for hours at a time. And I'd go home from work and tell my wife: "My God, people in D.C. are so smart."
After a while I realized, no, it was not DC—it was just Lina who is so smart. There are lots of great people in DC, but Khan is unique.
After a while I realized, no, it was not DC—it was just Lina who is so smart. There are lots of great people in DC, but Khan is unique.
The funny thing about Bitcoin to me is that most of its success is its rising price. I don’t ever hear any stories about its successful utility, or expanding actual use as a means of transaction.
December 5, 2024 at 1:29 PM
The funny thing about Bitcoin to me is that most of its success is its rising price. I don’t ever hear any stories about its successful utility, or expanding actual use as a means of transaction.
Tyson Foods just announced another major plant closing, further consolidating the nation’s beef production.
Such consolidation was shown to be a major vulnerability during Covid, when plant closures instantly wiped out big chunks of national supply.
www.5newsonline.com/article/news...
Such consolidation was shown to be a major vulnerability during Covid, when plant closures instantly wiped out big chunks of national supply.
www.5newsonline.com/article/news...
Tyson Foods to close plant in Kansas, impacting 809 workers
Tyson has closed multiple plants across the U.S. this year, citing efforts to increase efficiency.
www.5newsonline.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Tyson Foods just announced another major plant closing, further consolidating the nation’s beef production.
Such consolidation was shown to be a major vulnerability during Covid, when plant closures instantly wiped out big chunks of national supply.
www.5newsonline.com/article/news...
Such consolidation was shown to be a major vulnerability during Covid, when plant closures instantly wiped out big chunks of national supply.
www.5newsonline.com/article/news...
Hey D.C. folks—if you are in town tomorrow, don't miss this incredible event for @sandeepvaheesan's new book. He is a brilliant analyst and writer. The dynamics of electric power companies cut to the heart of America's political economy. Super-important.
www.eventbrite.com/e/democracy-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/democracy-...
'Democracy in Power' Book Launch
Join us on December 4th to celebrate Open Markets Legal Director Sandeep Vaheesan and his new book, 'Democracy in Power'
www.eventbrite.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Hey D.C. folks—if you are in town tomorrow, don't miss this incredible event for @sandeepvaheesan's new book. He is a brilliant analyst and writer. The dynamics of electric power companies cut to the heart of America's political economy. Super-important.
www.eventbrite.com/e/democracy-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/democracy-...
Let's go! @jonathanblitzer.bsky.social fantastic book "Everyone Who is Gone is Here," on the immigration crisis, is named Top 10 by the NYT.
I strongly recommend it to everyone. It's the best kind of journalism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/b...
I strongly recommend it to everyone. It's the best kind of journalism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/b...
The 10 Best Books of 2024
The staff of The New York Times Book Review choose the year’s top fiction and nonfiction.
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Let's go! @jonathanblitzer.bsky.social fantastic book "Everyone Who is Gone is Here," on the immigration crisis, is named Top 10 by the NYT.
I strongly recommend it to everyone. It's the best kind of journalism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/b...
I strongly recommend it to everyone. It's the best kind of journalism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/b...
This is just true. All the big-picture stuff aside, Twitter was less and less useful. My timeline was overwhelmed with randos I didn't follow, posting weird spam and videos.
Bluesky is a lot more straight forward. More articles, more links, less of an interventionist, borderline insane algorithm.
Bluesky is a lot more straight forward. More articles, more links, less of an interventionist, borderline insane algorithm.
People are leaving Twitter because it’s not fun anymore and no one is obligated to be on a platform they don’t enjoy.
It’s not rocket science.
It’s not rocket science.
December 2, 2024 at 5:36 PM
This is just true. All the big-picture stuff aside, Twitter was less and less useful. My timeline was overwhelmed with randos I didn't follow, posting weird spam and videos.
Bluesky is a lot more straight forward. More articles, more links, less of an interventionist, borderline insane algorithm.
Bluesky is a lot more straight forward. More articles, more links, less of an interventionist, borderline insane algorithm.
Gosh—I loved this debate about Ukraine between @aaronjmate and @shustry. Very well-informed on both sides, thought provoking, and civil throughout.
More of this, please.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uTd...
More of this, please.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uTd...
Ukraine vs. Russia: Nuclear War, Frozen Conflict, or Peace? Debate w/ Simon Shuster
YouTube video by Useful Idiots
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Gosh—I loved this debate about Ukraine between @aaronjmate and @shustry. Very well-informed on both sides, thought provoking, and civil throughout.
More of this, please.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uTd...
More of this, please.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uTd...
Intellectual humility is one of a reporter's greatest assets. The world is always more complicated than we know, and its rate of change outpaces our operating assumptions.
November 30, 2024 at 1:46 PM
Intellectual humility is one of a reporter's greatest assets. The world is always more complicated than we know, and its rate of change outpaces our operating assumptions.
Triangulation
November 29, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Triangulation
AI Writing tools will have the same deskilling effect on our minds that McDonald's automated kitchens had on the culinary skills of kitchen workers. This will be something.
November 26, 2024 at 5:16 PM
AI Writing tools will have the same deskilling effect on our minds that McDonald's automated kitchens had on the culinary skills of kitchen workers. This will be something.
It's going to be amazing to watch the fallout as AI writing tools infantilize our thinking and make us dependent upon opaque LLMS to communicate.
November 26, 2024 at 5:15 PM
It's going to be amazing to watch the fallout as AI writing tools infantilize our thinking and make us dependent upon opaque LLMS to communicate.
I was excited for Apple Intelligence proofreading, but I'm afraid it's not at all impressive.
About 4 out of 5 suggestions are unnecessary or flat out wrong.
In apps like Word or Pages, you just get text in a bubble, with the option to accept it all, without seeing changes.
Bummer Apple!
About 4 out of 5 suggestions are unnecessary or flat out wrong.
In apps like Word or Pages, you just get text in a bubble, with the option to accept it all, without seeing changes.
Bummer Apple!
November 25, 2024 at 10:31 PM
I was excited for Apple Intelligence proofreading, but I'm afraid it's not at all impressive.
About 4 out of 5 suggestions are unnecessary or flat out wrong.
In apps like Word or Pages, you just get text in a bubble, with the option to accept it all, without seeing changes.
Bummer Apple!
About 4 out of 5 suggestions are unnecessary or flat out wrong.
In apps like Word or Pages, you just get text in a bubble, with the option to accept it all, without seeing changes.
Bummer Apple!
Hardest part of Thanksgiving is all the anti-uncle discourse!
Annual reminder: We are not all crazy.
Annual reminder: We are not all crazy.
November 24, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Hardest part of Thanksgiving is all the anti-uncle discourse!
Annual reminder: We are not all crazy.
Annual reminder: We are not all crazy.