Episode · All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · 2025-08-09
Books mentioned on OpenAI's GPT-5 Flop, AI's Unlimited Market, China's Big Advantage, Rise in Socialism, Housing Crisis
(0:00) Bestie intros!
Ben Shapiro discussed Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville. Gavin Baker recommended Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen. Phil Deutsch recommended Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Jason Calacanis recommended All About Me! by Mel Brooks, Who Knew by Barry Diller, The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans, Comedy Samurai by Larry Charles, and I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally. Also mentioned: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America is a foundational sociological and political study analyzing the structure, culture, and institutions of American society from the perspective of an outside observer.
Discussed“The traditional American dream for most people was cross an ocean, go to a place you don't know. If that doesn't work, cross right, cross a mountain, build I mean Dville talks about this in democracy in America that that Americans were famous for for basically building these kind of ramshackle huts trying to set up shop and if it”
Where to get it
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Empire of the East
Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen is a classic post-apocalyptic fantasy series that weaves together elements of advanced science fiction, ancient mythology, and a transformed Earth where magic and technology have collided following a global cataclysm.
Recommended“No, I am uh enjoying I like post-apocalyptic fantasy. um Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen, but a but a new a relatively new series is called Moonfall um by James Rollins and I'm enjoying it.”
Where to get it
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Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a science fiction novel about an astronaut who wakes up with amnesia on a desperate interstellar mission to save Earth from an extinction-level solar threat.
Discussed“I've been reading because I never read it the Andy Wear Project Hail Mary book. Yeah. It's awesome. So good.”
Where to get it
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson is a comprehensive biography detailing the life, ventures, and management methods of the billionaire entrepreneur.
Recommended“um I uh late to but just finished the Musk book which was phenomenal. I thought um the biography the one. Yeah, I know I'm late, but it was great.”
Where to get it
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All About Me!
All About Me! by Mel Brooks is a humorous and engaging memoir by the legendary filmmaker and comedian detailing his extensive life and career in entertainment.
Recommended“All About Me by Mel Brooks. Amazing. And he reads it. So, a great audio book.”
Where to get it
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Who Knew
Who Knew by Barry Diller is a memoir detailing the personal life, extensive media career, and early Hollywood days of the iconic business mogul.
Recommended“I'm almost finished with Who Knew by Barry Diller who at like 24 years old. Yeah, that's great. It's incredible.”
Where to get it
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The Kid Stays in the Picture
The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans is a celebrated and wildly entertaining memoir that chronicles the extraordinary life, meteoric rise, and dramatic fall of legendary Hollywood film producer Robert Evans.
Recommended“If you ever see the documentary, The Kid Stays in the Picture, or that book is in both of them are incredible.”
Where to get it
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Comedy Samurai
Comedy Samurai by Larry Charles is a comedic and satirical work reflecting the unique perspective and experiences of the veteran writer, director, and comedian known for his boundary-pushing humor in television and film.
Recommended“Comedy Samurai by Larry Charles. I just finished a couple weeks ago.”
Where to get it
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I Regret Almost Everything
I Regret Almost Everything is a witty and candid memoir written by restaurateur Keith McNally.
Recommended“and then finally, my fourth pick for bios of the summer, I regret almost everything by Keith McN, who is the restaurant tour.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“with us as well today, my guy, fellow broadcaster Ben Shapiro, host of the Ben Shapiro show, co-founder of The Daily Wire, which uh gosh, makes a mountain of money, and has a new book coming out in September. Lions and Scavengers, the true story of America and her critics.”