The Ezra Klein Show
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The Ezra Klein Show

Ezra Klein invites you into a conversation on something that matters. How do we address climate change if the political system fails to act? Has the logic of markets infiltrated too many aspects of our lives? What is the future of the Republican Party? What do psychedelics teach us about consciousne...

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Books 1,807

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The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping's China cover

The Avoidable War

Kevin Rudd

Mentioned 1 week ago

What Xi Jinping Wants

Ezra Klein noted that Kevin Rudd is the author of this book, highlighting Rudd's work on China and Xi Jinping.

He's also the author of The Avonable War.

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The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping (Stanford–Hoover Series on Authoritarianism) cover

The Party's Interests Come First

Joseph Torigian

Mentioned 1 week ago

What Xi Jinping Wants

Ezra Klein recommended this book about Xi Jinping's father, calling it a great read.

There's a great book by Joseph Torigian, The Party's Interests Come First, The Life of Xi Zhongxin, Father of Xi Jinping. It's a great book and a great read.

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The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao cover

The Souls of China

Ian Johnson

Mentioned 1 week ago

What Xi Jinping Wants

Ezra Klein recommended Ian Johnson's book on the resurgence of religion in modern China, describing it as a great read.

The second is Ian Johnson, The Souls of China, The Return of Religion After Mao. It's about what has occurred on the grounds, in the grassroots with the rise of various forms of Taoism, Buddhism, Protestant Christianity, and other forms of religious belief as a reaction to the uber-materialism of, let's call it, China's ideological orthodoxy. And that is a great read.

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The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change cover

The Beginning Comes After the End

Rebecca Solnit

Mentioned 1 week ago

The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate

The book was mentioned as a prominent political essay by RebeccaSolnit, suggested as essential reading.

Rebecca Solnit pound for pound maybe our best political essayist and her book The Beginning Comes After the End

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Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization cover

Here Comes the Sun

Bill McKibben

Mentioned 1 week ago

The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate

The host described it as McKibben's most recent book, framing it as a last chance for the climate and a fresh chance for civilization.

He writes the subsect of crucial years and his most recent book is Here Comes the Sun, a last chance for the climate and a fresh chance for civilization.

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The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary cover

The Glorians

Terry Tempest Williams

Mentioned 1 week ago

The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate

It was highlighted as a great nature essay written by Terry TempestWilliams.

Terry Tempest Williams great nature essayist a book called The Glorians

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The Carbon Wave: A Story of Democracy, Parenthood, and the Race to Protect Our Planet cover

The Carbon Wave

Leah C. Stokes

Mentioned 1 week ago

The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate

It was presented as a new book by Leah Stokes that tells the inside story of the Inflation Reduction Act and her work on utilities.

Leah Stokes maybe our leading expert on utilities played a huge role in getting the IRA through and she tells that story in a book called The Carbon Wave

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Brought to You By: How Corporations Warped the Truth, Conned the Public, and Broke Democracy cover

Brought to You By

Amy Westervelt

Mentioned 1 week ago

The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate

The host cited it as Amy Westervelt's new book exposing how corporations have warped the truth about climate and energy.

Amy Westervelt tremendous freelance reporter on a lot of climate and energy issues and on larger things a new book called Brought to You By How Corporations Have Warped the Truth

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The Holocaust and the Nakba: A New Grammar of Trauma and History (Religion, Culture, and Public Life, 39) cover

The Holocaust and the Nakba

Bashir Bashir

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians

Rula said it was very important to understand the current situation and that the book, written before October7th, remained essential.

I decided to choose three books that are related to the conversation that we are having today the first one is The Holocaust and the Nakba edited by good colleagues and friends Bashir Bashir and Amos Goldberg it's very important to understand what's happening now it was written before October 7th and the genocide in Gaza but it's still very important essential book

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States of Denial: Knowing about Atrocities and Suffering cover

States of Denial

Stanley Cohen

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians

She described the book as a way to understand collective denial among Israelis and recommended it for insight.

the second is state of denials it's not about Israel Palestine but I claim all the time that the Israelis are suffering from severe denial collective denial and blindness and I'm trying to understand that and I think a lot of people need want maybe to understand and this book States of denial written by Stanley Cohen is very ... book

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Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine cover

Tomorrow Is Yesterday

Hussein Agha

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians

Rula mentioned the book as a lesson from past negotiations, recommending it for learning from mistakes.

the third is the Rob Malley book tomorrow is yesterday you know we're doing this as people on the ground who are committing to doing this bottom up work of building the movement and vision but they've been there in the negotiations learning from the mistakes and I think that is a practice we overlook and we need to really do more often learning from our mistakes

Buy on Amazon
A Psalm for the Wild-Built: A Monk and Robot Book (Monk & Robot, 1) cover

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Becky Chambers

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians

She expressed surprise at the title but said she was grateful to have read it, noting its offgenre nature for her.

the psalm for the wild built it's a genre that I do you know this book ... I didn't expect it to pop up here yeah it's from a different world I which is very kind of off genre for me but I'm so grateful that I have read it

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Most Recommended

Abundance Cover

Ezra Klein

Abundance

Ezra Klein discussed the book as a left‑wing proposal that advocates a politics of plenty, arguing that government should ensure sufficient housing, clean energy, and infrastructure. He framed it as a vision for a politics of abundance that addresses what people truly need by coordinating government and markets. The host presented it positively, highlighting its relevance to progressive policy goals.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: What I Learned in 2025

Klein described the book as a leftwing project that argues for a politics of plenty, emphasizing government provision of housing, clean energy and infrastructure.

"

The answer to a politics of scarcity is a politics of Abundance, a politics that asks what it is that people really need and then organizes government and markets to make sure there is enough of it.

I mean, my view is that Abundance is best understood as a fairly left wing project, which is to say that there are certain things that liberals and I think in this case also leftists want government to deliver.

The Dragonriders of Pern (Pern: The Dragonriders of Pern) Cover

Anne McCaffrey

The Dragonriders of Pern (Pern

The Dragonriders of Pern)

In the episode, Ezra Klein reflected that the book had been his favorite growing up and that he still kept copies of it in his house. He expressed enduring affection for the series, highlighting its lasting impact on him.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: What I Learned in 2025

Klein recalled that the fantasy series was his favorite book growing up and that he still keeps copies of it in his house.

"

My favorite book growing up, and which I still have a lot of love for and keep in my house, was Anne McCaffrey's The Dragon Riders of Pern trilogy.

Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community Cover

Ron Fournier

Applebee's America

How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community

The host noted they had been reading the title and described it as a cultural observation about appearing less pretentious. It was mentioned while reflecting on recent reading choices, and no strong endorsement was given. The overall tone was neutral, simply bringing up the book in passing.

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Episode: The Contradictions of Gavin Newsom

The speaker said they had been reading Applebee's America and described it as a book about cultural observations tied to appearing less pretentious. It was mentioned in the context of reflecting on recent reading choices.

"

I was reading books about going to Applebee's, Applebee's America. It was all about, you know, it was about appearing less frank.

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies Cover

Jim Collins

Built to Last

Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

In the episode, the guest highlighted the book as one of the most influential works in his life, noting that it shaped his approach to both business and politics. He strongly recommended it to listeners, emphasizing its impact on his mindset.

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Episode: The Contradictions of Gavin Newsom

The guest identified Built to Last as one of the most influential books in his life, noting it shaped his mindset both in business and politics. He recommended it strongly to listeners.

"

I'd say, look, my favorite book, one of the most influential books interesting in my life is called Built to Last. It's about the tyranny of war versus the genius of and.

Abundance Cover

Ezra Klein

Abundance

The host described the title as a left‑leaning proposal that government should deliver abundant resources such as affordable housing, clean energy, and infrastructure, and noted its mixed reception among progressives and conservatives. He also mentioned criticism that the book sometimes downplays the goal of breaking corporate power.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: What I Learned in 2025

Klein described the book as a leftleaning project arguing that government should provide enough resources for people, discussed its reception among progressives and conservatives, and noted criticism that it sometimes downplays powerbreaking goals.

"

And your book with Derek Thompson, Abundance, came out. For folks who haven't read the book, we handily adapted a part of it into audio and video.

I mean, my view is that Abundance is best understood as a fairly left wing project, which is to say that there are certain things that liberals and I think in this case also leftists want government to deliver. Housing and a lot more of it, particularly a lot more affordable housing, clean energy, and capable state capacity, the ability to build things like public infrastructure, high speed rail, roads, rapidly.

There are certainly places where I would like to break the power of corporations, break the power of billionaires, tax them more, regulate them more. But then also, if we're going to decarbonize the economy and build all this clean energy infrastructure, corporations are going to do a lot of it.

The Dragonriders of Pern (Pern: The Dragonriders of Pern) Cover

Anne McCaffrey

The Dragonriders of Pern (Pern

The Dragonriders of Pern)

Ezra Klein recalled that the title was his favorite book growing up and that he still kept it in his house, expressing enduring affection for the fantasy series. He noted that this might surprise listeners given his usual topics, highlighting his personal connection to the work rather than a formal recommendation.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: What I Learned in 2025

Klein mentioned that his favorite childhood series was the Dragon Riders of Pern trilogy, noting it might surprise listeners that he was into fantasy novels.

"

My favorite book growing up, and which I still have a lot of love for and keep in my house, was Anne McCaffrey's The Dragon Riders of Pern trilogy. Maybe that won't surprise people that I was very into a fantasy novel.

Frontiers of Illusion: Science, Technology, and the Politics of Progress Cover

Daniel Sarewitz

Frontiers of Illusion

Science, Technology, and the Politics of Progress

In the episode, Jane Flagle highlighted the book as a brilliant analysis that exposed common myths about science and offered recommendations for strengthening the link between scientific research and societal outcomes. She praised its clear insight into science and technology policy, suggesting it was especially valuable for understanding how to improve science‑society relationships.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Is Decarbonization Dead?

Jane said the book does a great job exposing myths about science and showing how to improve sciencesociety outcomes.

"

The second one is Frontiers of Illusion by Daniel Sarewitz, a brilliant thinker around science and technology policy who does a great job laying out the myths we believe about science and how we need to enhance the relationship of science to social outcomes.

An Engine, Not a Camera: How Financial Models Shape Markets: 1st (First) Edition Cover

Donald Angus MacKenzie

An Engine, Not a Camera

How Financial Models Shape Markets

In the episode, Jane highlighted the book as a brilliant analysis of how economic and financial models drive markets, especially regarding climate and environmental policy. She recommended it for its insight into the role of models in shaping policy outcomes.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Is Decarbonization Dead?

Jane praised the book for its brilliant analysis of how economic models shape markets and their impact on climate policy.

"

And then the last one is Donald MacKenzie's An Engine, Not a Camera, a brilliant analysis of the role of economic models and finance theory as drivers of markets, especially in the context of climate and environmental policy.

Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning Cover

Peter Beinart

Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza

A Reckoning

The host cited the book to illustrate that self‑determination concerns the individual rather than a group's right to control others, emphasizing that collective rights cannot override individual rights. He used the author’s argument as a framework for discussing divisions among American Jews, treating the title as a useful reference for his point.

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Episode: Why American Jews No Longer Understand One Another

The host referenced Beinart's book to illustrate his point about selfdetermination, noting that it argues collective rights cannot override individual rights.

"

In his book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, Peter Beinart writes, Self-determination means determination of the self, not others. Just as one person cannot invoke their individual right to self-determination to control another person, one group of people cannot invoke their collective right to control another group.

Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York Cover

Luc Sante

Low Life

Lures and Snares of Old New York

In the episode, Will Sommer highlighted the title as a vivid history of organized crime and the seedy characters that shaped New York over the centuries. He framed it as a worthwhile read for listeners interested in the city's darker past, recommending it as a solid choice. The overall tone was enthusiastic and the book was presented as highly recommended.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Why Trump Can’t Shake Jeffrey Epstein

Will Sommer concluded his recommendations with Lucy Sante's Low Life, describing it as a history of organized crime in New York.

"

And then finally, I would say Lucy Sante's book Low Life about the history of organized crime and kind of skeezy characters in New York over the centuries is always a good one to visit.

Essays After Eighty Cover

Donald Hall

Essays After Eighty

In the episode, Mark Epstein highlighted the book as an inspiring collection of essays that showcased a cohesive voice reflecting on a full life, penned from Hall's New Hampshire farmhouse. He noted that the essays were incredible and offered a sense of a well‑lived, unified narrative. The discussion conveyed strong admiration for the work.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Why Does My Mind Keep Thinking That?

Mark described Hall's essays as an inspiring, cohesive voice reflecting on a full life, written from his New Hampshire farmhouse.

"

Donald Hall, the poet, Essays After 80.

The essays are incredible about having lived a whole life... It just gives a sense of someone who has a cohesive life and a wonderful voice.

Kairos Cover

Jenny Erpenbeck

Kairos

In the episode, Mark Epstein recommended the book as a compelling German novel that explored Berlin's history through a cross‑generational love story. He highlighted its narrative depth and cultural relevance, presenting it as a noteworthy read for listeners.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Why Does My Mind Keep Thinking That?

He presented it as a compelling German novel about Berlin's history and a crossgenerational love story.

"

And the third book I would say to recommend is a novel called Kairos, K-A-I-R-O-S, by Jenny Erpenbeck.

Eros the Bittersweet: An Essay (Princeton Classics) Cover

Anne Carson

Eros the Bittersweet

An Essay (Princeton Classics)

In the episode, Mark referenced the title while quoting a passage about love's paradoxical sweetness and bitterness, describing it as a beautiful book. The mention highlighted its poetic exploration of love’s mixed emotions.

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Episode: Why Does My Mind Keep Thinking That?

Mark referenced it while quoting a passage about love's paradoxical sweetness and bitterness.

"

And in that book, I quoted the poet Anne Carson, who has a beautiful book called Eros, the Bittersweet.

Wrestling the World: The Life and Times of Rodeo Champion Jack Roddy Cover

Katie Cooney

Wrestling the World

The Life and Times of Rodeo Champion Jack Roddy

The host referenced Barthes' essay The World of Wrestling to illustrate how politics can resemble staged performance.

"

There's this great essay by Roland Barthes that I always talk about, but it's called The World of Wrestling. And he talks about how they're always in character.

— Episode: How the Attention Economy Is Devouring G...

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Episode: How the Attention Economy Is Devouring Gen Z — and...

The host referenced Barthes' essay The World of Wrestling to illustrate how politics can resemble staged performance.

"

There's this great essay by Roland Barthes that I always talk about, but it's called The World of Wrestling. And he talks about how they're always in character.

Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global Cover

Laura Spinney

Proto

How One Ancient Language Went Global

Matt Iglesias recommended the book during the episode, noting that it explained how the ancient Proto‑Indo‑European language spread worldwide. He highlighted that the title provided a clear narrative of the language's rise and its historical impact. The discussion conveyed strong endorsement of the book.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: The Disaster That Just Passed the Senate

Matt Iglesias recommended it, noting it explained the rise of the ProtoIndoEuropean language.

"

Laura Spinney's book, Proto, How One Ancient Language Went Global, about the rise of the ProtoIndoEuropean language.

The Ten Year War: Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage Cover

Jonathan Cohn

The Ten Year War

Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage

In the episode titled "The Disaster That Just Passed the Senate," Matt Iglesias recommended the book as a way to understand the Obama Obamacare era, noting that it chronicled the ten‑year struggle over the law. His suggestion framed the title as a useful resource for listeners seeking deeper insight into the policy’s history.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: The Disaster That Just Passed the Senate

Matt Iglesias suggested reading it to understand the Obama Obamacare era.

"

If you read Jonathan Cohn's book about The Ten Year War, about Obama's Obamacare, right?

The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource Cover

Chris Hayes

The Sirens' Call

How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource

The book was highlighted as a key framework for understanding how social media shapes political attention, especially in analyzing the Mamdani campaign. Ezra Klein invited Chris Hayes, who explained the book’s relevance to modern electoral strategies. The discussion praised the work as a phenomenal analysis of attention in politics.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Mamdani, Trump and the End of the Old Politics

Chris Hayes discussed his book about how social media shapes political attention, using it as a framework for analyzing the Mamdani campaign. He highlighted its relevance to modern electoral strategies.

"

I asked my friend Chris Hayes, an MSNBC anchor and the author of a phenomenal book on attention to politics, The Siren's Call, to join me.

You just wrote a book about political attention.

Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine Cover

Hussein Agha

Tomorrow Is Yesterday

Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine

Chris Hayes highlighted the book as an incredible upcoming title, praising its beautiful writing and the distinct perspectives of its two authors on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He listed it as the second recommendation in the episode.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Mamdani, Trump and the End of the Old Politics

An upcoming book, read as an advanced copy, was praised for its beautiful writing and the distinct perspectives of its two authors on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. It was listed as the second recommendation.

"

The second one is an incredible book that is not out yet that I am able to read an advanced reader copy of. It's by Rob Malley and Hussein Agha. It's called Tomorrow's Yesterday.

Mao's Last Revolution Cover

Roderick MacFarquhar

Mao's Last Revolution

Chris Hayes recommended the book as a final suggestion for listeners seeking perspective beyond the current political climate, describing it as an amazing yet suffocating immersion into the Cultural Revolution. He highlighted its intense portrayal of that era, noting how it conveys the overwhelming atmosphere of the time.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Mamdani, Trump and the End of the Old Politics

The history of the Cultural Revolution was recommended as a way to escape the current political climate, with the speaker noting its intense and suffocating portrayal of that era. It was the final book suggestion.

"

The last book is a history of the Cultural Revolution called Mao's Last Revolution by Michael Schoenhaus and Roderick McFarquhar. I read--that book's amazing, although, I mean, my God. Sort of suffocating in some ways to be inside that universe.

Master of the Game Cover

Sidney Sheldon

Master of the Game

Aaron David Miller said he would recommend the book as a lesson on successful Middle East diplomacy.

"

I have two books on how to do successful Middle East diplomacy. Since that's kind of what we're talking about. Martin Indig's Master of the Game, Henry Kissinger in the Art of Middle...

— Episode: A New Middle East?

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Episode: A New Middle East?

Aaron David Miller said he would recommend the book as a lesson on successful Middle East diplomacy.

"

I have two books on how to do successful Middle East diplomacy. Since that's kind of what we're talking about. Martin Indig's Master of the Game, Henry Kissinger in the Art of Middle East Diplomacy, and Peter Baker in Sudden Glasser's Masterful, The Man Who Ran Washington, The Life and Times of James Baker. Those are two books I would recommend about--there are real lessons there-- about how to do successful diplomacy.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.