Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2024-04-23
Ezra Klein & Adam Moss: books mentioned on The Ezra Klein Show
This Conversation With Adam Moss Made Me a Sharper Editor
Ezra Klein discussed Where good ideas come from by Steven Johnson and Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Adam Moss recommended Interviews with Francis Bacon by David Sylvester, Faux Pas by Amy Sillman and others, and Richard Diebenkorn by Richard Diebenkorn.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Where good ideas come from
Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson is an insightful non-fiction book that explores the historical and environmental patterns that foster innovation, such as the concept of the slow hunch and serendipitous collisions.
Discussed“It made me think of Steven Johnson's book were good ideas come from and one of his arguments in that book is that great ideas often come from adjacency”
Where to get it
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Leaves of Grass
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman is a monumental poetry collection that celebrates nature, democracy, the human body, and the interconnectedness of all souls.
Discussed“look at Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman he wrote that book throughout his life there's the young man's version and there's the old man's version”
Where to get it
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Interviews with Francis Bacon
Interviews with Francis Bacon by David Sylvester is a collection of intimate, probing conversations with the celebrated figurative painter that delve into his artistic philosophy, creative processes, and psychological motivations.
Recommended“one of them is a book of interviews with Francis Bacon by David Sylvester I think there's nine of them I learned more about art from reading these interviews”
Where to get it
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Faux Pas
Faux Pas by Amy Sillman, Charlotte Houette, Francois Lancien-Guilberteau, and Benjamin Thorel is a collection of writings and artworks that offers readers an engaging look into contemporary artistic practice through the eyes of a renowned painter and writer.
Recommended“another book written by one of the subjects of the book Amy s is a book called faux PA she's a great painter she is amazing writer and this book is so much fun”
Where to get it
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Richard Diebenkorn
Richard Diebenkorn by Richard Diebenkorn is an intimate visual collection that showcases the extensive, multi-year sketchbooks of the celebrated American artist.
Recommended“it's the sketch books of Richard deborn it's just pages and pages and pages of years and years and years of his SketchBooks”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“so he begins asking them and the result is his new book the work of art how something comes from nothing”