Episode · Behind the Bastards · 2026-08-11

Books mentioned on Part One: Alex Karp: How Palantir's CEO Went From Marxist To Anti-Woke Crusader

2 books · With Zaran Burnett · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Robert begins his exploration of the early life of Alex Karp, current CEO of Palantir and best friend to Peter Thiel. He traces Alex's journey from left-wing academic to overlord of an "Anti-Woke" defense contractor.

Robert Evans discussed The Philosopher in the Valley by Michael Steinberger and Hitler's Willing Executioners by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   The Philosopher in the Valley

   Michael Steinberger · at 11:04

   Discussed

   “But yeah, so the number one book about Karp right now is also his only biography, Michael Steinberger's The Philosopher in the Valley.”

   Robert Evans Part One: Alex Karp: How Palantir's CEO Went From Marxist To Anti-Woke… 2026-08-11 ▶ Play 10:39

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible
2. 

   Hitler's Willing Executioners

   Daniel Jonah Goldhagen · at 43:04

   Hitler's Willing Executioners by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen is a controversial historical study examining the role of ordinary German citizens in the Holocaust and their complicity in genocide.

   Discussed

   “His work was influenced by the recent publication at that point in time of a book called Hitler's Willing Executioners by Daniel Goldhagen.”

   Robert Evans Part One: Alex Karp: How Palantir's CEO Went From Marxist To Anti-Woke… 2026-08-11 ▶ Play 42:27

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible