Episode · EconTalk · 2022-05-09
Books mentioned on Chris Blattman on Why We Fight
It's tempting to explain Russia's invasion of Ukraine with Putin's megalomania. Economist Chris Blattman of the University of Chicago talks about his book Why We Fight with EconTalk host Russ Roberts.
Russ Roberts recommended Evil by Roy F. Baumeister and others, and discussed Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, The Truce by Primo Levi, and If this is a Man by Primo Levi.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Invisible Man
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is a landmark twentieth-century American novel that explores the complex themes of identity, race, and societal invisibility through the eyes of an unnamed Black narrator moving from the American South to Harlem.
Discussed“i was recently talking to dwayne betts uh the poet and an author about we were talking about it hasn't aired yet but primo levy's book um if this is a man and followed by the truce and then also ralph ellison's book invisible man which is a novel”
Where to get it
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The Truce
The Truce by Primo Levi is a powerful autobiographical sequel that chronicles the author's long, meandering, and physically challenging journey back to Italy following his liberation from the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Discussed“i was recently talking to dwayne betts uh the poet and an author about we were talking about it hasn't aired yet but primo levy's book um if this is a man and followed by the truce and then also ralph ellison's book invisible man which is a novel”
Where to get it
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If this is a Man
If This Is a Man by Primo Levi is a harrowing and essential memoir documenting the author's survival in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust.
Discussed“i was recently talking to dwayne betts uh the poet and an author about we were talking about it hasn't aired yet but primo levy's book um if this is a man and followed by the truce and then also ralph ellison's book invisible man which is a novel”
Where to get it
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Evil
Evil by Roy F.
Recommended“and i also mentioned in passing a book by roy baumeister a past econ guest called evil it is a fabulous book i confess i have not finished it”
Where to get it
