The Ezra Klein Show
Book Recommendations

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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Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel; 50th anniversary edition (Modern Library 100 Best Novels) Cover

Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse-Five

A Novel; 50th anniversary edition (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Stewart listed SlaughterhouseFive as another mustread from Vonnegut's catalog.

"

Slaughterhouse-Five.

— Episode: America Has Changed. So Has Jon Stewart.

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Episode: America Has Changed. So Has Jon Stewart.

Stewart listed SlaughterhouseFive as another mustread from Vonnegut's catalog.

"

Slaughterhouse-Five.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater: Or, Pearls Before Swine Cover

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Or, Pearls Before Swine

Stewart added God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater to his list of recommended Vonnegut titles.

"

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater.

— Episode: America Has Changed. So Has Jon Stewart.

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Episode: America Has Changed. So Has Jon Stewart.

Stewart added God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater to his list of recommended Vonnegut titles.

"

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater.

Underground Asia: Global Revolutionaries and the Assault on Empire Cover

Tim Harper

Underground Asia

Global Revolutionaries and the Assault on Empire

The guest described it as a study of underground radicals in East and South Asia between 1900 and 1925 who sought to overturn empire and capitalism.

"

Tim Harper, Underground Asia, Global Revolutionaries and the Assault on Empire, is a book about underground radicals in East and South Asia and Southeast Asia, 1900 to 1925, looking t...

— Episode: Are We on the Cusp of a New Political Or...

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Episode: Are We on the Cusp of a New Political Order?

The guest described it as a study of underground radicals in East and South Asia between 1900 and 1925 who sought to overturn empire and capitalism.

"

Tim Harper, Underground Asia, Global Revolutionaries and the Assault on Empire, is a book about underground radicals in East and South Asia and Southeast Asia, 1900 to 1925, looking to upend empire, looking to upend capitalism, looking to free their countries from colonial shackles.

The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America Cover

Sarah E. Igo

The Known Citizen

A History of Privacy in Modern America

The guest highlighted the book as a centurylong history of privacy in modern America, useful for thinking about the privatepublic divide.

"

Sarah Igo, The Known Citizen, a History of Privacy in Modern America, gives a wonderful hundredyear overview of how Americans in almost every generation have redefined the boundary be...

— Episode: Are We on the Cusp of a New Political Or...

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Episode: Are We on the Cusp of a New Political Order?

The guest highlighted the book as a centurylong history of privacy in modern America, useful for thinking about the privatepublic divide.

"

Sarah Igo, The Known Citizen, a History of Privacy in Modern America, gives a wonderful hundredyear overview of how Americans in almost every generation have redefined the boundary between private and public.

The Constitution of Liberty: The Definitive Edition (Volume 17) (The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek) Cover

F. A. Hayek

The Constitution of Liberty

The Definitive Edition (Volume 17) (The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek)

The guest recommended this work by Hayek, highlighting its relevance to the discussion on liberty and the role of government.

"

The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich von Hayek

— Episode: Vivek Ramaswamy Has a Different Vision f...

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Episode: Vivek Ramaswamy Has a Different Vision for Trumpis...

The guest recommended this work by Hayek, highlighting its relevance to the discussion on liberty and the role of government.

"

The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich von Hayek

I'll recommend The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich von Hayek

Kamala's Way: An American Life Cover

Dan Morain

Kamala's Way

An American Life

Ezra Klein recommended it as the best comprehensive biography of Kamala Harris he had read. He highlighted it as a top pick for listeners wanting to learn about her.

"

Kamala's Way. It's the best bio, complete bio I've read about her.

— Episode: Maggie Haberman on How Trump Has Changed

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Episode: Maggie Haberman on How Trump Has Changed

Ezra Klein recommended it as the best comprehensive biography of Kamala Harris he had read. He highlighted it as a top pick for listeners wanting to learn about her.

"

Kamala's Way. It's the best bio, complete bio I've read about her.

Trump: The Art of the Deal Cover

Donald J. Trump

Trump

The Art of the Deal

Ezra Klein said Trump's persona as a megaCEO was forged through his 1987 book The Art of the Deal, noting it was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz. The comment linked the book to Trump's business image.

"

The idea of Trump as, you know, mega CEO was forged through The Art of the Deal, the book that he published in 1987, which was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz.

— Episode: Maggie Haberman on How Trump Has Changed

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Episode: Maggie Haberman on How Trump Has Changed

Ezra Klein said Trump's persona as a megaCEO was forged through his 1987 book The Art of the Deal, noting it was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz. The comment linked the book to Trump's business image.

"

The idea of Trump as, you know, mega CEO was forged through The Art of the Deal, the book that he published in 1987, which was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz.

The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President Cover

Bandy X. Lee

The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump

27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President

The host noted that John Kelly, Trump's former chief of staff, had purchased this book, indicating it was being read by insiders.

"

John Kelly, Trump's second chief of staff, is known to have bought the book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.

— Episode: What’s Wrong With Donald Trump?

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Episode: What’s Wrong With Donald Trump?

The host noted that John Kelly, Trump's former chief of staff, had purchased this book, indicating it was being read by insiders.

"

John Kelly, Trump's second chief of staff, is known to have bought the book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.

The Toddler in Chief: What Donald Trump Teaches Us about the Modern Presidency Cover

Daniel W. Drezner

The Toddler in Chief

What Donald Trump Teaches Us about the Modern Presidency

The host explained that political scientist Daniel Dresner published this book in 2020, cataloguing over a thousand instances describing Trump as an impetuous child.

"

In 2020, the political scientist Daniel Dresner published a book entitled The Toddler-in-Chief.

— Episode: What’s Wrong With Donald Trump?

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Episode: What’s Wrong With Donald Trump?

The host explained that political scientist Daniel Dresner published this book in 2020, cataloguing over a thousand instances describing Trump as an impetuous child.

"

In 2020, the political scientist Daniel Dresner published a book entitled The Toddler-in-Chief.

The City That Became Safe: New York's Lessons for Urban Crime and Its Control (Studies in Crime and Public Policy) Cover

Franklin E. Zimring

The City That Became Safe

New York's Lessons for Urban Crime and Its Control (Studies in Crime and Public Policy)

They mentioned a book titled "The City That Became Safe" that examined New York's crimereduction strategies.

"

The City That Became Safe which is about New York's experience

— Episode: The Hidden Politics of Disorder

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Episode: The Hidden Politics of Disorder

They mentioned a book titled "The City That Became Safe" that examined New York's crimereduction strategies.

"

The City That Became Safe which is about New York's experience

Broken Windows, Broken Business: The Revolutionary Broken Windows Theory: How the Smallest Remedies Reap the Biggest Rewards Cover

Michael Levine

Broken Windows, Broken Business

The Revolutionary Broken Windows Theory

They referenced the classic "Broken Windows" book that introduced the brokenwindows theory of policing.

"

James Q. Wilson George Kelling wrote about the 1980s what Kelling would subsequently write about with Catherine Coles in his book on broken windows

— Episode: The Hidden Politics of Disorder

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Episode: The Hidden Politics of Disorder

They referenced the classic "Broken Windows" book that introduced the brokenwindows theory of policing.

"

James Q. Wilson George Kelling wrote about the 1980s what Kelling would subsequently write about with Catherine Coles in his book on broken windows

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York Cover

Robert A. Caro

The Power Broker

Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

It was praised for its exhaustive detail, literary style and lasting influence on readers interested in power and New York history.

"

Before all that, however, in September 1974, 50 years ago, he published The Power Broker, a book about the man who built modern New York City, Robert Moses.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

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Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It was praised for its exhaustive detail, literary style and lasting influence on readers interested in power and New York history.

"

Before all that, however, in September 1974, 50 years ago, he published The Power Broker, a book about the man who built modern New York City, Robert Moses.

They're very complimentary about it. I've never read anything like it. You've explained to me where power comes from, a particular kind of power.

And I think anyone who reads The Power Broker would agree, that is also, as you have said many times, you tried to do a real piece of literary work. It's not only the facts, it is the prose.

That was my conversation with Robert Caro about his magnificent book, The Power Broker, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.

I have to say, when I started this book, I don't think there was any real awareness, even among mayors and council members and governors, of where this power came from.

Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson III Cover

Robert A. Caro

Master of the Senate

The Years of Lyndon Johnson III

It won the Pulitzer Prize for its deep investigation of the U.S. Senate.

"

Volume 3, Master of the Senate, won the Pulitzer Prize.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

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Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It won the Pulitzer Prize for its deep investigation of the U.S. Senate.

"

Volume 3, Master of the Senate, won the Pulitzer Prize.

The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson Cover

Robert A. Caro

The Passage of Power

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

It was listed among the best books of the 21st century so far.

"

Volume 4, The Passage of Power, appeared on our recent list of the best books of the 21st century so far.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

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Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It was listed among the best books of the 21st century so far.

"

Volume 4, The Passage of Power, appeared on our recent list of the best books of the 21st century so far.

The Road from the Past. Traveling Through History in France Cover

Ina Caro

The Road from the Past. Traveling Through History in France

It was a travel memoir about France that was praised for its evocative storytelling.

"

She has written two books, The Road from the Past and Paris to the Past, about traveling around France and knowing its history and how much it adds to it. They're wonderful books.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

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Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It was a travel memoir about France that was praised for its evocative storytelling.

"

She has written two books, The Road from the Past and Paris to the Past, about traveling around France and knowing its history and how much it adds to it. They're wonderful books.

Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train by Ina Caro (2011-06-27) Cover

Paris to the Past

Traveling through French History by Train by Ina Caro (2011-06-27)

It was a travel memoir about France that was praised for its evocative storytelling.

"

She has written two books, The Road from the Past and Paris to the Past, about traveling around France and knowing its history and how much it adds to it. They're wonderful books.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

Get on Amazon
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It was a travel memoir about France that was praised for its evocative storytelling.

"

She has written two books, The Road from the Past and Paris to the Past, about traveling around France and knowing its history and how much it adds to it. They're wonderful books.

The Prime Minister (The ^APalliser Novels) Cover

Anthony Trollope

The Prime Minister (The ^APalliser Novels)

It was highlighted as a great political novel by Anthony Trollope.

"

It's The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.

— Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of...

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Episode: Book Review: Robert Caro on 50 Years of ‘The Power...

It was highlighted as a great political novel by Anthony Trollope.

"

It's The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.

The Case for Black Reparations Cover

Boris Bittker

The Case for Black Reparations

Coates said he wrote an essay using Israel as an analogy for Black America, noting that no one questioned the reparations comparison.

"

when I went to write the case for reparations and I wrote that section about using the state of Israel as an analog for Black America, nobody questioned it.

— Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied...

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Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied To.’

Coates said he wrote an essay using Israel as an analogy for Black America, noting that no one questioned the reparations comparison.

"

when I went to write the case for reparations and I wrote that section about using the state of Israel as an analog for Black America, nobody questioned it.

The Necessity of Exile: Essays from a Distance Cover

Shaul Magid

The Necessity of Exile

Essays from a Distance

A line from this book was referenced while discussing the twostate solution and IsraeliPalestinian politics.

"

There's a line in this book, The Necessity of Exile by Shoal McGeed, and I think it's a quotation of just someone who's not named.

— Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied...

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Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied To.’

A line from this book was referenced while discussing the twostate solution and IsraeliPalestinian politics.

"

There's a line in this book, The Necessity of Exile by Shoal McGeed, and I think it's a quotation of just someone who's not named.

Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance Cover

Amy Kaplan

Our American Israel

The Story of an Entangled Alliance

Kaplan's book was described as exploring how images of Israel have shaped the American imagination.

"

Amy Kaplan, man, Our American Israel, The Story of an Entangled Alliance.

— Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied...

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Episode: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel: ‘I Felt Lied To.’

Kaplan's book was described as exploring how images of Israel have shaped the American imagination.

"

Amy Kaplan, man, Our American Israel, The Story of an Entangled Alliance.

She actually goes all the way back to the Puritans. It's quite remarkable.

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