Book Club with Michael Smerconish
385 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 73 ratingsReading for Independent Minds. Unlike many author interviews, if Michael didn't actually read the book, you won't hear about it. If he read it, you'll hear it and you'll love it. Insights into a wide range of topics, including many titles you've probably never heard of. The perfect book is just one listen away.
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Episodes
Warren Littlefield: "Top Of The Rock"
July 15, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBFormer NBC News President of Entertainment Warren Littlefield, author of "Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV." Original air date 25 May 2012. The book was published on 1 May 2012
Ran Abramitzky: "Streets of Gold"
July 13, 2022 16:30 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBProfessor of Economics and the Senior Associate Dean of the Social Sciences at Stanford University, Dr. Ran Abramitzky, is a co-author with Leah P. Boustan for the book "Streets of Gold: Immigration and the American Dream Over Two Centuries." Original air date 12 July 2022. The book was published on 31 May 2022.
Pat Buchanan: "The Greatest Comeback"
July 11, 2022 16:10 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBFormer presidential adviser, presidential candidate, commentator and author, Pat Buchanan, on his book "The Greatest Comeback: How Richard Nixon Rose from Defeat to Create the New Majority." Original air date 8 July 2014. The book was published on 8 July 2014.
Bob Graham: "America: The Owner's Manual"
July 08, 2022 16:30 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBMichael's conversation with former Senator Bob Graham, on his book (co-authored with Chris Hand), "America: The Owner's Manual - You Can Fight City Hall And Win." Original air date 26 July 2016. The book was published on 16 August 2016.
Andy Cowan: "Banging My Head Against the Wall"
July 06, 2022 14:44 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBMichael's conversation with comedy writer Andy Cowan, who wrote the Seinfeld "The Opposite" episode, on his book "Banging My Head Against the Wall: A Comedy Writer's Guide to Seeing Stars." Original air date 6 July 2018. The book was published on 28 June 2018.
Benjamin Lorr: "The Secret Life of Groceries"
July 02, 2022 15:05 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBMichael's conversation with Benjamin Lorr, author of "The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket." Original air date 26 September 2020. The book was published on 8 September 2020.
Carol Leonnig: "Zero Fail"
June 29, 2022 19:04 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBMichael talks with Washington Post reporter Carol Leonnig, about her book "Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service." Original air date 25 May 2021. The book was published on 18 May 2021.
Billy Baker: "We Need To Hang Out"
June 27, 2022 20:03 - 20 minutes - 19 MBMichael speaks with Billy Baker, author of "We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends." Original air date 17 February 2021. The book was published on 26 January 2021.
James Barrat: "Our Final Invention"
June 24, 2022 04:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBOn the heels of Google placing an employee on leave after raising red flags about an Artificial Intelligence robot the company created, Michael talks to James Barrat, author of "Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era." Original air date 23 June 2022. The book was published on 1 October 2013.
James Patterson: "The Stories Of My Life"
June 22, 2022 04:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBMichael talks with bestselling author James Patterson on his new autobiography, "James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life." Original air date 21 June 2022. The book was published on 6 June 2022.
Kate Andersen Brower: "The Residence"
June 17, 2022 17:14 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBMichael talks with New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower on her book "The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House." Original air date 16 April 2015. The book was published on 7 April 2015.
Sharyl Attkisson: "Stonewalled"
June 15, 2022 17:51 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBMichael talks with five-time Emmy Award winning journalist Sharyl Attkisson about her book "Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington." Original air date 04 November 2014. The book was published on 04 November 2014.
Martha McSally: "Dare To Fly"
June 13, 2022 12:11 - 18 minutes - 17 MBMichael talks with (Then-) Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) about her book "Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up." Original air date 27 May 2020. The book was published on 26 May 2020.
Katherine Schweit: "Stop The Killing"
June 10, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBMichael speaks with retired FBI agent Katherine Schweit about her book "Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis." Original air date 9 June 2022. The book was published on 15 August 2021.
Kellyanne Conway: "Here's The Deal"
June 08, 2022 19:10 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBMichael speaks with former advisor to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, on her book "Here's The Deal: A Memoir." Original air date 8 June 2022. The book was published on 24 May 2022.
Tina Brown: "The Palace Papers"
June 06, 2022 14:29 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBMichael welcomes Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair & The New Yorker and founder of The Daily Beast, with her book "The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil." Original air date 20 May 2022. The book was published on 26 April 2022.
James Stavridis: "To Risk It All"
June 03, 2022 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBMichael's conversation with Retired Navy Admiral James Stavridis, on "To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision." Original air date 2 June 2022. The book was published on 24 May 2022.
Jeff Kosseff: "The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet"
June 01, 2022 14:43 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBMichael speaks with US Naval Academy Professor Jeff Kosseff, about his nonfiction narrative history of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, titled "The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet." Original air date 29 May 2020. The book was published on 15 April 2019.
Anthony Mazzarelli: "Wonder Drug"
May 27, 2022 15:15 - 21 minutes - 20 MBMichael chats with Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli about his book "Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself." Originial air date 25 May 2022. The book publication date is 21 June 2022.
Jon Meacham: "The Soul of America"
May 25, 2022 17:05 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBMichael's conversation with presidential historian Jon Meacham on his book "The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels." Original air date 7 May 2018. The book was published on 8 May 2018.
Jane Mayer: "Dark Money"
May 23, 2022 12:51 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBJane Mayer on her book "Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right." Original air date 27 January 2016. The book was published on 19 January 2016.
Michael Shellenberger: "San Fransicko"
May 20, 2022 04:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBMichael speaks with California gubernatorial candidate Michael Shellenberger on his book "San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities." Original air date 16 May 2022. The book was published on October 12, 2021.
Tom Manion: "Brothers Forever"
May 18, 2022 14:17 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBMichael speaks with Tom Manion, co-author of "Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice." Original air date 20 May 2014. The book was published on 13 May 2014.
Alan Shipnuck: "Phil"
May 16, 2022 14:40 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBMichael welcomes Alan Shipnuck, author of "Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar." Original air date 13 May 2022. The book was published on 17 May 2022.
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: "Don't Trust Your Gut"
May 13, 2022 12:39 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBMichael welcomes data scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, author of "Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life." Original air date 10 May 2022. The book was published on 10 May 2022.
Steven Levitt: "Freakonomics"
May 11, 2022 11:58 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn 2005, Michael ran a week-long series with University of Chicago professor Steven Levitt, co-author of "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" which was published 12 April 2005. Michael hosted him for a segment each day that week, highlighting different concepts from the book. Enjoy all five segments in this one podcast.
Chris Matthews: "Life's A Campaign"
May 09, 2022 11:13 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBPart of The National Constitution Center's "Author Series Programs," Michael sat down in front of a live audience with Chris Matthews for his book "Life's A Campaign: What Politics Has Taught Be About Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation and Success." The program was recorded on 23 October 2007. The Book was published on 2 October 2007.
Tim Russert: "Wisdom of Our Fathers"
May 06, 2022 04:00 - 7 minutes - 7.15 MBMichael's conversation with Tim Russert on his book "Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons." Russert, best known for hosting NBC's "Meet The Press" passed away in June 2008. This interview is being released on the podcast this week, as May 7th, 1950 was his birthday, he would have been 72 this weekend. Original air date 11 June 2007. The book was released on 6 May 2006.
Jonah Goldberg: "Suicide of the West"
May 04, 2022 12:27 - 14 minutes - 13 MBMichael talks with Jonah Goldberg about his book "Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy." At the time of the interview, Goldberg was Founding Editor at the National Review. Now, he is an LA Times columnist and editor-in-chief at The Dispatch. Original air date 4 May 2018. The book was published on 24 April 2018.
Juliette Kayyem: "The Devil Never Sleeps"
May 03, 2022 13:27 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBFormer homeland security official, now Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security at Harvard Kennedy School, Professor Juliette Kayyem, author of "The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters." Original air date 29 April 2022. The book was published on 29 March 2022.
Rodney King: "The Riot Within"
April 29, 2022 04:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBMichael's conversation with the late Rodney King, on his memoir "The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption." Original air date 27 April 2012. The book was published on 24 April 2012. Mr. King passed away on 17 June 2012.
Alan Dershowitz: "Taking The Stand"
April 27, 2022 04:00 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBMichael welcomed Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz into the SiriusXM Studios to talk about his memoir, "Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law." Original air date 27 November 2013. The book was published on 15 October 2013.
Michael Smerconish: "American Life in Columns"
April 25, 2022 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBA special edition today, for the 100th Episode of Book Club with Michael Smerconish! The author featured is....Michael himself. This is his commentary talking about his most recent book, "Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns." Original air date 31 May 2018. The book was published on 30 May 2018. Thank you for subscribing to this podcast - share it with a friend.
Christine Emba: "Rethinking Sex"
April 22, 2022 04:00 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBWashington Post Opinions Columnist Christine Emba, with her new book "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation." Original air date 12 April 2022. The book was published on 22 March 2022.
Valerie Biden Owens: "Growing Up Biden"
April 20, 2022 04:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBMichael welcomes Valerie Biden Owens in studio, sister of President Joe Biden. Her new book is "Growing Up Biden: A Memoir." Original air date 18 April 2022. The book was published on 12 April 2022.
Noah Oppenheim: "The Intellectual Devotional Modern Culture"
April 18, 2022 15:37 - 9 minutes - 9.14 MBMichael's conversation with Noah Oppenheim, who is now President of NBC News. He spoke to him in 2008 on his then-new book, co-authored with David S. Kidder, "The Intellectual Devotional Modern Culture: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Converse Confidently with the Culturati." At the time, Oppenheim was a senior producer at The Today Show and moved over to work at the production company Revelle for two years. Original air date 14 October 2008. The book was published on 14 Octobe...
Richard Clarke: "Artificial Intelligencia"
April 15, 2022 04:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBFormer Counterterrorism Czar Richard Clarke, author of the novel "Artificial Intelligencia." Original air date 14 April 2022. The book was published on 12 April 2022.
Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli: "Compassionomics"
April 13, 2022 16:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBDr. Anthony Mazzarelli, Co-President/CEO of Cooper University Healthcare and associate dean of clinical affairs for Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, with Michael on his book (co-authored by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak), "Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference." Fun fact: "Mazz" was Michael's first ever intern. Original air date 17 April 2019. The book was published on 30 April 2019.
Nelson DeMille: "The Cuban Affair"
April 11, 2022 17:46 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBBestselling author Nelson DeMille, who has been a guest of Michael's many times over the years, today on his book "The Cuban Affair: A Novel." Original air date 20 September 2017. The book was published on 19 September 2017.
Richard Hasen: "Cheap Speech"
April 08, 2022 15:09 - 13 minutes - 12 MBMichael speaks with University of California-Irvine Law Professor Rick Hasen, author of "Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics―and How to Cure It." Original air date 5 April 2022. The book was published on 8 March 2022.
Jeff Benedict: "Tiger Woods"
April 06, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBJust in time for his reappearance at The Masters, Listen to Michael's 2018 interview with Jeff Benedict, co-author (with Armen Keteyian) of "Tiger Woods." The book became a NY Times bestseller. Original air date 28 March 2018. The book was published on 27 March 2018.
Conn Iggulden: "The Dangerous Book for Boys"
April 04, 2022 17:21 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBMichael's conversation with British author Conn Iggulden, co-author of "The Dangerous Book for Boys" from 2012. The book was published in 2005 and again in 2012.
Greg Bluestein: "Flipped"
April 01, 2022 04:00 - 16 minutes - 15 MBMichael talks with Atlanta Journal Constitution Reporter Greg Bluestein, author of "Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Power." Original air date 24 March 2022. The book was published on 22 March 2022.
Michael Bamberger: "The Second Life of Tiger Woods"
March 30, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBMichael's conversation with sportswriter Michael Bamberger, author of "The Second Life of Tiger Woods." Original air date 26 March 2020. The book was published on 31 March 2020.
Dr. Mehmet Oz: "You: The Owners Manual"
March 28, 2022 14:17 - 10 minutes - 9.32 MBMichael spoke with Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2008, for the released of an updated version of his 2005 book "YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider’s Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger."
Madeleine Albright: "Fascism: A Warning"
March 25, 2022 04:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBMichael's conversation with the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on her New York Times Best Seller, "Facism: A Warning." Albright passed away on 23 March 2022. Original air date 17 April 2018. The book was published on 10 April 2018.
Joan Biskupic: "The Chief"
March 23, 2022 18:18 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBThe book came out three years ago this week - hear Michael's conversation with Joan Biskupic, author of "The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts." Original air date 2 April 2019. The book was published on 26 March 2019.
Reggie Love: "Power Forward"
March 21, 2022 14:17 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBSeven years ago this month, former personal aide to President Barack Obama, Reggie Love, released "Power Forward: My Presidential Education." Michael spoke with the Duke and Wharton graduate, who worked in the White House from 2009-2011, on 2 March 2015. Today, Mr. Love is a senior advisor at Apollo Global Management. The book was published on 2 February 2015.
Brad Meltzer: "The Lightning Rod"
March 18, 2022 12:34 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBMichael welcomes best-selling author Brad Meltzer, with his new book "The Lightning Rod: A Zig and Nola Novel. Original air date 10 March 2022. The book was published on 8 March 2022.
Michael Isikoff: "Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America"
March 16, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBMichael's conversation with investigative reporter Michael Isikoff, co-author (with David Corn) of "Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump." Original air date 16 March 2018. The book was released on 13 March 2018.