Introduction
Samuel Johnson once declared, “Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen. It is assuming a superiority, and it is particularly wrong to question a man concerning himself. There may be parts of his former life which he may not wish to be made known to other persons, or even brought to his own recollection.”
Of course, Johnson said this to James Boswell — who ignored the advice. And had Boswell not asked questions, we never would have had the Life of Samuel Johnson, and I would have no anecdote to share with you now.
In that spirit, this conversation is about questions, and the difficult art of asking good questions.
Asking Better Questions
My guest is Dean Nelson, whose career as a journalist has taught him how much hinges on the quality of a question. His latest book, Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, and Interview Anyone Like a Pro, distills decades of experience into practical wisdom.
Though he originally intended the book for journalism students, Nelson’s editor reminded him that asking good questions isn’t just for reporters. All of us must do it: at work, in relationships, in classrooms. And for historians, it is even more essential — because historical thinking always begins with asking the right questions.
About the Guest
Dean Nelson has written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, and San Diego Magazine. He directs the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University, where he teaches and mentors the next generation of reporters. He has won multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and is the author or co-author of 14 books.
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