Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2026-09-25
Books mentioned on What Does Abdul El-Sayed Believe?
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, has been one of the most argued-over candidates this election cycle.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Medicare for All
Discussed“You've written a full book on Medicare for all. It's a good book. It's like it's a not too many books from politicians worth reading.”
Where to get it
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The Best and the Brightest
The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam is a historical examination of the policy failures and hubris of elite American decision-makers that led the nation into the Vietnam War.
Recommended“So the first one is the best and the brightest, David Halbuchar, Sam. And I think it's just an incredible observation on the nature of elitism, institutional priorities, groupthink.”
Where to get it
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Amusing Ourselves to Death
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman is a seminal media theory critique warning that public discourse is being degraded into passive entertainment, particularly through the medium of television.
Recommended“The second is amusing ourselves to death. I know you talk about it all the time, but you know, I know Postman, Neil Postman.”
Where to get it
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The Sum of Us
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee is an examination of how zero-sum racial narratives undermine public goods, economic stability, and civic infrastructure for society as a whole.
Recommended“The third is The Some of Us, Heather McGee. I think you've had her on the show. It's a really great book about the way that division and racism in particular keeps us from being able to build collective public goods.”
Where to get it
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, written in collaboration with Alex Haley, chronicles the life, spiritual evolution, and political philosophy of the prominent civil rights leader.
Recommended“Then the fourth one is the autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley. And I picked that one because his coming of age in a particular moment...”
Where to get it
