Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2023-12-26

Books mentioned on Best Of: The Most Amazing — and Dangerous — Technology in the World

4 books · With Chris Miller · Watch on YouTube

Chris Miller recommended The World for Sale, Complete by Gilbert Parker, Nexus by Jonathan Reed Winkler, Prestige, Manipulation, and Coercion by Joseph Torigian, and Coercion by Michael R. Rhodes.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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  1. The World for Sale, Complete

    Gilbert Parker · at 56:30

    The World for Sale, Complete by Gilbert Parker is an eye-opening investigative account that explores the secretive world of global commodity traders and their unseen role in distributing the world's raw materials, oil, and minerals.

    Recommended
    “well I'd start with the world for sale which is an extraordinary account of commodity traders who play a unseen role in the middle of the networks that deliver oil and minerals and metals that we require it's sort of a eye-opening view as to to how all the world's raw materials get shipped around the world”
    Where to get it
  2. Nexus

    Jonathan Reed Winkler · at 56:50

    Nexus is an in-depth historical study examining telegraph cables and global government communication networks during the early twentieth century.

    Recommended
    “a second book I'd recommend which picks up on a lot of the discussions we've had about networks is a book called Nexus by Jonathan Winkler which is a a study of telegraph cables during the early 20th century and what's striking about it is the extent to which all of the world's governments saw telegraph cables as not only”
    Where to get it
  3. Prestige, Manipulation, and Coercion

    Joseph Torigian · at 57:19

    Prestige, Manipulation, and Coercion is a detailed historical and political examination focusing on high-level decision-making and governance in China.

    Recommended
    “and then a third book which was published last year which I strongly recommend is a book on decision-making in China called Prestige manipulation and coercion which is an extraordinary account of high politics in in China over the last half century that illustrates with just a really exceptional archival documentation how how Chinese politics has has shifted and the”
    Where to get it
  4. Coercion

    Michael R. Rhodes · at 57:19

    Coercion is a deep exploration of high political decision-making and strategic governance.

    Recommended
    “and then a third book which was published last year which I strongly recommend is a book on decision-making in China called Prestige manipulation and coercion which is an extraordinary account of high politics in in China over the last half century that illustrates with just a really exceptional archival documentation how how Chinese politics has has shifted and the”
    Where to get it