Episode · Behind the Bastards · 2025-02-04
Books mentioned on Part One: Space Magic from Venus: A Literary Odyssey
Robert sits down with Molly Conger to explore a book at the foundation of American conspiracy culture that may have helped kill Steve Jobs. See omnystudio.
Robert Evans discussed Venusian Health Magic and Secret Science (Combined Edition) by Michael Barton, Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda Paramahansa, and Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Venusian Health Magic and Secret Science (Combined Edition)
Venusian Health Magic and Secret Science (Combined Edition) by Michael Barton is a pseudoscientific work exploring alternative health claims and secret Venusian teachings.
Discussed“So, Molly, this book, Venucian Health Magic and Venucian Secret Science, um, is a [snorts] a beautiful work of art. Um, there are so many lines in this book that just make my heart sing.”
Where to get it
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Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda is a spiritual classic that chronicles the author's life and introduces readers to the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and Eastern mysticism.
Discussed“Um so maybe his understanding of atomic physics is Oh, this is the autobiography of a yogi guy. Yeah. No, this guy this this is the dude Steve Jobs was obsessed with his book, right?”
Where to get it
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Annihilation
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer is the acclaimed opening novel of the Southern Reach Trilogy, following a scientific expedition into a mysterious, isolated ecological zone known as Area X.
Discussed“Check out Weird Little Guys. Yeah. And watch the movie Annihilation. Or don't. I'm actually kind of mid on that film. I've never seen it. Yeah. It's okay. I think the book's better.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Uh, one of whose books is MJ12 and The Riddle of Hangar 18.”
“Uh, one of whose books is MJ12 and The Riddle of Hangar 18.”