Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 2026-03-27
Books mentioned on Will Iran Break Trumpism? | The Ezra Klein Show
Christopher Caldwell recommended The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Isaevich Solzhenit︠s︡yn, Common Ground by J. Anthony Lukas, and Ball Four by Jim Bouton.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Gulag Archipelago
The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is a monumental historical exposé detailing the brutal Soviet forced labor camp system through survivor testimonies, archival research, and the author's own imprisonment.
Recommended“Oh, I think everyone should read the gulag archipelago. I think that is such a wonderful book. This is Alexander Andrew Solzhenitsyn. It’s a story of his time.”
Where to get it
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Common Ground
Common Ground by J.
Recommended“Since we’re talking about politics, I think if you ask me to name the best political book, it would probably be j. Anthony lukas’s common ground, which is a book about busing in Boston and which is the first political event that I have any memory of from being a child.”
Where to get it
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Ball Four
Ball Four by Jim Bouton is a candid and groundbreaking sports memoir that chronicles a season in the author's life as a major league baseball pitcher, exposing the raw, unpolished reality of professional clubhouse culture.
Recommended“And, and then I guess if I could recommend a baseball book, a book that really changed the way I don’t look at both sports and writing is ball four by Jim bouton?”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Passing The age of entitlement
“He’s also a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and the author of "The Age of Entitlement and America Since the 60s" and Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West."”
“He’s also a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and the author of "The Age of Entitlement and America Since the 60s" and Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West."”