Jessica Mitford: a fierce, unruly life

By Mindy Todd ,

Amy Vince

Published February 12, 2026 at 10:01 AM EST

Carla Kaplan's new biography of Jessica Mitford, a British aristocrat who became an American communist and advocate for social justice. — Carla Kaplan has written a new biography of Jessica Mitford, a British aristocrat who became an American communist and advocate for social justice.

Today, we hear the story of the British aristocrat who became an American communist and advocate for social justice. Jessica Mitford traded wealth and status for a life of radical activism. We talk with Carla Kaplan, author of the biography Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. Kaplan is the Davis Distinguished Professor of American Literature at Northeastern University.

The Point

Mindy Todd

Mindy Todd is the host and producer of <i>The Point</i> on WCAI which examines critical issues for Cape Cod and the Islands. She brings more than 40 years of experience in radio and television to WCAI.

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Amy Vince

Amy has worked at WCAI since 2001. After 11 years in the WCAI development department, she shifted gears and became producer for The Point with Mindy Todd. She enjoys the challenges of producing a daily public affairs program and the opportunity to research and learn about the wide variety of topics covered by the program. Before coming to WCAI, Amy spent nearly a decade sailing offshore as a mate on sailing school oceanographic research vessels. She lives in Falmouth with her husband and son.

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