Why people recommend it
What Then Must We Do? is a deeply moral and philosophical nonfiction work by Leo Tolstoy that examines poverty, economics, and human responsibility. On an episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled Matthew Desmond On America’s Addiction to Poverty, published on April 21, 2023, guest Matthew Desmond brought up the book during the conversation. Toward the conclusion of the interview, host Ezra Klein asked his guest for reading recommendations, prompting Desmond to respond directly by endorsing Tolstoy's work. Desmond explicitly stated that he recommended the text to anyone looking for profound insights into social obligation and economic disparity. The mention came as part of a larger discussion regarding American poverty and systemic inequality, aligning with Desmond's own academic and literary focus on housing and economic deprivation. By invoking Tolstoy, Desmond connected contemporary sociological issues to classic philosophical inquiries about wealth, labor, and moral duty. The recommendation provided listeners with a historical and ethical perspective on the enduring human struggle against poverty, reinforcing the interview's central themes of economic justice and collective responsibility in modern society.
Who recommended it
- Matthew Desmond Recommended
Matthew Desmond — 1 mention
“I recommend what then must we do by Leo Tolstoy”