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Death by nostalgia: the curious history of a dangerous emotion

Agnes Arnold-Forster discusses the surprising history of nostalgia - from its diagnosis as a deadly disease, to its weaponisation for political agendas

Published: May 3, 2024 at 7:00 AM

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At the end of the 17th century, a Swiss physician diagnosed a deadly new disease - nostalgia. Agnes Arnold-Forster explores the surprising cultural history of the emotion, from the longing "Ostalgie" felt for a lost East Germany to the Victorian love of all things medieval. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she also outlines how nostalgia has been weaponised by both sides of the political spectrum, and considers whether it could be a force for good.

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Agnes Arnold-Forster is the author of Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion (Picador).

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Authors

Ellie CawthorneHead of content (audio)

Ellie Cawthorne is head of content (audio) at HistoryExtra

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