The Avoidable War
Kevin Rudd
Mentioned 1 week ago
What Xi Jinping Wants
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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Recently mentioned
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The Party's Interests Come First
Joseph Torigian
Mentioned 1 week ago
What Xi Jinping Wants
The Souls of China
Ian Johnson
Mentioned 1 week ago
What Xi Jinping Wants
The Beginning Comes After the End
Rebecca Solnit
Mentioned 1 week ago
The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
Here Comes the Sun
Bill McKibben
Mentioned 1 week ago
The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
The Glorians
Terry Tempest Williams
Mentioned 1 week ago
The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
The Carbon Wave
Leah C. Stokes
Mentioned 1 week ago
The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
Brought to You By
Amy Westervelt
Mentioned 1 week ago
The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
The Holocaust and the Nakba
Bashir Bashir
Mentioned 2 weeks ago
A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians
States of Denial
Stanley Cohen
Mentioned 2 weeks ago
A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians
Tomorrow Is Yesterday
Hussein Agha
Mentioned 2 weeks ago
A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians
A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Becky Chambers
Mentioned 2 weeks ago
A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians
Most Recommended
Root Shock
How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America, And What We Can Do About It
It was presented as a book about urban renewal's devastation, likening community displacement to deep trauma called "root shock."
"
The second is a book called Root Shock by an author, Mindy Fullilove. And it's about processes of urban renewal and how they devastated and affected communities. And it is based on th...
— Episode: Employers Are Begging for Workers. Maybe...
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Episode: Employers Are Begging for Workers. Maybe That’s a...
It was presented as a book about urban renewal's devastation, likening community displacement to deep trauma called "root shock."
"
The second is a book called Root Shock by an author, Mindy Fullilove. And it's about processes of urban renewal and how they devastated and affected communities. And it is based on this logic of urban renewal being a process that's akin to like Root Shock.
Poorly Understood
What America Gets Wrong About Poverty
The book was described as a collection of chapters that each debunk common myths about poverty, offering empirical perspectives and scholarly interviews.
"
It's a book called Poorly Understood What America Gets Wrong About Poverty. And it's by three scholars, Mark Rank, Lawrence Eppard and Heather Bullock. ... each chapter in the book ad...
— Episode: Employers Are Begging for Workers. Maybe...
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Episode: Employers Are Begging for Workers. Maybe That’s a...
The book was described as a collection of chapters that each debunk common myths about poverty, offering empirical perspectives and scholarly interviews.
"
It's a book called Poorly Understood What America Gets Wrong About Poverty. And it's by three scholars, Mark Rank, Lawrence Eppard and Heather Bullock. ... each chapter in the book addresses a different myth about poverty... they write about, you know, we get some empirical perspective on kind of debunking these myths and contextualizing understandings of these questions.
What To Expect When You're Expecting Robots
The Future of Human-Robot Collaboration
It was described as an interesting and persuasive look at the next decade of humanrobot interaction.
"
The first book that comes to my mind is by Julie Shaw and Laura Major. Their book is called What To Expect When You're Expecting Robots.
— Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
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Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
It was described as an interesting and persuasive look at the next decade of humanrobot interaction.
"
The first book that comes to my mind is by Julie Shaw and Laura Major. Their book is called What To Expect When You're Expecting Robots.
Finite and Infinite Games
A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility
It was highlighted as a weird, unique book that blends religion, game theory, and philosophy to explore human motivations.
"
I'm also thinking about a book by James Carse called Finite and Infinite Games.
— Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
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Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
It was highlighted as a weird, unique book that blends religion, game theory, and philosophy to explore human motivations.
"
I'm also thinking about a book by James Carse called Finite and Infinite Games.
How to Do Nothing
Resisting the Attention Economy
It was presented as a love letter to neighborhood parks and a critique of the attention economy, relating to AI's goalmaximizing nature.
"
The third one, I'm thinking about a book by my friend Jenny O'Dell called How to Do Nothing.
— Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
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Episode: Is A.I. the Problem? Or Are We?
It was presented as a love letter to neighborhood parks and a critique of the attention economy, relating to AI's goalmaximizing nature.
"
The third one, I'm thinking about a book by my friend Jenny O'Dell called How to Do Nothing.
Race, Crime, and the Law
Ezra noted that he teaches Kennedy's book, which offers a critical perspective on crime and policing in the 1990s.
"
I teach Randy Kennedy's Race, Crime, and the Law from the 1990s, which is a brilliant book.
— Episode: Violent Crime Is Spiking. Do Liberals Ha...
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Episode: Violent Crime Is Spiking. Do Liberals Have an Answ...
Ezra noted that he teaches Kennedy's book, which offers a critical perspective on crime and policing in the 1990s.
"
I teach Randy Kennedy's Race, Crime, and the Law from the 1990s, which is a brilliant book.
The Fire Is upon Us
James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America
Buccola's book narrated the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F.Buckley Jr. on race in America.
"
The Fire Is upon Us by Nick Bukola, which is a story about the debate between William F. Buckley Jr. and James Baldwin, two characters that you don't often think about in the same bre...
— Episode: The Spectacle of the G.O.P.'s Shrinking...
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Episode: The Spectacle of the G.O.P.'s Shrinking Tent
Buccola's book narrated the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F.Buckley Jr. on race in America.
"
The Fire Is upon Us by Nick Bukola, which is a story about the debate between William F. Buckley Jr. and James Baldwin, two characters that you don't often think about in the same breath.
The Book of Disquiet (Penguin Modern Classics)
Stephanie mentioned a forthcoming biography of Fernando Pessoa titled Pessoa, authored by Richard Zenith.
"
It's called Pessoa. Zenith is the author.
— Episode: Status Games, Polyamory and the Merits o...
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Episode: Status Games, Polyamory and the Merits of Meritocr...
Stephanie mentioned a forthcoming biography of Fernando Pessoa titled Pessoa, authored by Richard Zenith.
"
It's called Pessoa. Zenith is the author.
Augustine of Hippo
A Biography
Stephanie said she started a biography of Augustine by Peter Brown.
"
I started a biography of Augustine by Peter Brown.
— Episode: Status Games, Polyamory and the Merits o...
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Episode: Status Games, Polyamory and the Merits of Meritocr...
Stephanie said she started a biography of Augustine by Peter Brown.
"
I started a biography of Augustine by Peter Brown.
Young Men and Fire
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition
The guest expressed love for Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire, noting its unfinished nature and the author's latelife creativity.
"
I fell in love with Norman Maclean's Young Men in Fire, which I read for the Premonition and I fell in love with it because it was an unfinished work and you could see the author did not write his fir...
— Episode: Michael Lewis Is Asking the Right Questi...
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Episode: Michael Lewis Is Asking the Right Question
The guest expressed love for Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire, noting its unfinished nature and the author's latelife creativity.
"
I fell in love with Norman Maclean's Young Men in Fire, which I read for the Premonition and I fell in love with it because it was an unfinished work and you could see the author did not write his first book until he was 70.
Heart of Fire
An Immigrant Daughter's Story
The guest praised Hirono's memoir as a terrific read he was just finishing at the time of the conversation.
"
I'm just about to finish up Maisie Hirono's book, which is really terrific, Heart of Fire.
— Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong Ab...
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Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong About Inequa...
The guest praised Hirono's memoir as a terrific read he was just finishing at the time of the conversation.
"
I'm just about to finish up Maisie Hirono's book, which is really terrific, Heart of Fire.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
A Heartfelt Novel Exploring Regret, Redemption and Closure From a Magical Café (Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series, 1)
Warren suggested the translated novel as a terrific read, noting its excellent translation into English.
"
Well, then if you liked Pachinko, have you read Before the Coffee Gets Cold? I have not. Read it. It's by Kawaguchi and translated into English. It translated very, very well and is r...
— Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong Ab...
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Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong About Inequa...
Warren suggested the translated novel as a terrific read, noting its excellent translation into English.
"
Well, then if you liked Pachinko, have you read Before the Coffee Gets Cold? I have not. Read it. It's by Kawaguchi and translated into English. It translated very, very well and is really terrific.
Rain Fall
Warren mentioned rereading the Barry Eisler novels and specifically highlighted the John Rain series during the book recommendation round.
"
I am rereading all of the Barry Eisler books. I'm reading the John Rain books.
— Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong Ab...
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Episode: Elizabeth Warren on What We Get Wrong About Inequa...
Warren mentioned rereading the Barry Eisler novels and specifically highlighted the John Rain series during the book recommendation round.
"
I am rereading all of the Barry Eisler books. I'm reading the John Rain books.
Death in Mud Lick
A Coal Country Fight against the Drug Companies That Delivered the Opioid Epidemic
Eric Eyre's investigative book about the opioid epidemic in West Virginia was praised for its powerful storytelling and accurate tone about the crisis.
"
They're all pretty recent books. One came out last year and it just came out in paperback. It's called Death in Mud Lick, a coal country fight against the drug companies that delivere...
— Episode: How to Have Better Conversations About H...
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Episode: How to Have Better Conversations About Hard Things
Eric Eyre's investigative book about the opioid epidemic in West Virginia was praised for its powerful storytelling and accurate tone about the crisis.
"
They're all pretty recent books. One came out last year and it just came out in paperback. It's called Death in Mud Lick, a coal country fight against the drug companies that delivered the opioid epidemic. It's by a guy named Eric Eyre, who has been a longtime reporter in my hometown in Charleston, West Virginia, Pulitzer Prize winner. I just love this book because it is a wonderful story of how investigative journalism works and it got the tone right about what's heartbreaking, exploitive and absurd about the opioid epidemic.
The Secret To Superhuman Strength
Alison Bechdel's graphic novel about exercise regimens and selfimprovement was described as unexpectedly important and a comforting read.
"
The third book that I have really loved recently is a new graphic novel by Alison Bechdel called The Secret To Superhuman Strength. I was surprised by how important this book feels to...
— Episode: How to Have Better Conversations About H...
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Episode: How to Have Better Conversations About Hard Things
Alison Bechdel's graphic novel about exercise regimens and selfimprovement was described as unexpectedly important and a comforting read.
"
The third book that I have really loved recently is a new graphic novel by Alison Bechdel called The Secret To Superhuman Strength. I was surprised by how important this book feels to me; it's about her various exercise regimens, selfimprovement, strength and existential coping.
Freedom
Chuck described the book as a historicalfiction account of Lincoln's path to the Emancipation Proclamation, blending documented facts with imagined dialogue.
"
A second book is called Freedom by William Safire. And he writes how Abraham Lincoln came to write the Emancipation Proclamation. And it's historical fiction. In other words, when he...
— Episode: How Chuck Schumer Plans to Win Over Trum...
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Episode: How Chuck Schumer Plans to Win Over Trump Voters
Chuck described the book as a historicalfiction account of Lincoln's path to the Emancipation Proclamation, blending documented facts with imagined dialogue.
"
A second book is called Freedom by William Safire. And he writes how Abraham Lincoln came to write the Emancipation Proclamation. And it's historical fiction. In other words, when he says Lincoln said this to Seward, it's not exactly documented, but he has something that's fascinating called the Underbook.
The Power Broker
Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
Chuck expressed his admiration for the book about Robert Moses, noting it reveals how Moses assembled massive power.
"
And just because I'm a New Yorker, I just love The Power Broker and how Robert Moses assembled all this power and stuff.
— Episode: How Chuck Schumer Plans to Win Over Trum...
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Episode: How Chuck Schumer Plans to Win Over Trump Voters
Chuck expressed his admiration for the book about Robert Moses, noting it reveals how Moses assembled massive power.
"
And just because I'm a New Yorker, I just love The Power Broker and how Robert Moses assembled all this power and stuff.
The Tao Is Silent
Will Wilkinson said the logician's work was a clever, circuitous exploration of Taoism that gave him much consolation and helped him think beyond logic.
"
Well, one of the books that's been really helpful to me is a book by a logician, Raymond Smullyan. It's not a new book. It's called The Tao Is Silent. And it's this really clever Jewi...
— Episode: Shame, Safety and Moving Beyond Cancel C...
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Episode: Shame, Safety and Moving Beyond Cancel Culture
Will Wilkinson said the logician's work was a clever, circuitous exploration of Taoism that gave him much consolation and helped him think beyond logic.
"
Well, one of the books that's been really helpful to me is a book by a logician, Raymond Smullyan. It's not a new book. It's called The Tao Is Silent. And it's this really clever Jewish New York logician who was a big deal in the 1970s doing his explanation of Taoism. And it's a delightful book because it's, you know, an incredibly logical person describing how something that can't be captured in logic, how that can help you. And it's circuitous and frustrating. And somehow he gets to something that I really have taken a lot of consolation in.
Crash Course
9-11 Inside Job
Ezra said it was the first political book he ever received, that he read it repeatedly and argued with people about its ideas.
"
The first political book I ever received was 9-11 by Noam Chomsky. My older brother gave it to me just a little bit after 9-11, and I read it, and I re-read it, and I argued with people over it.
— Episode: Noam Chomsky’s Theory of the Good Life
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Episode: Noam Chomsky’s Theory of the Good Life
Ezra said it was the first political book he ever received, that he read it repeatedly and argued with people about its ideas.
"
The first political book I ever received was 9-11 by Noam Chomsky. My older brother gave it to me just a little bit after 9-11, and I read it, and I re-read it, and I argued with people over it.
The 9-11 Triple Cross
Ezra Klein recalled that the first political book he ever received was Chomsky's 9-11, which he read and reread soon after the attacks.
"
The first political book I ever received was 9-11 by Noam Chomsky.
— Episode: Noam Chomsky’s Theory of the Good Life
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Episode: Noam Chomsky’s Theory of the Good Life
Ezra Klein recalled that the first political book he ever received was Chomsky's 9-11, which he read and reread soon after the attacks.
"
The first political book I ever received was 9-11 by Noam Chomsky.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.