Person
Every book Akhil Amar recommended on podcasts
Akhil Amar appears on Honestly with Bari Weiss, where discussions frequently center around American constitutional history, founding documents, and the enduring ideals of the nation. During his podcast appearance, Amar explicitly recommends reading The Federalist Papers by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton for anyone with a taste for eighteenth-century language who wishes to understand the core arguments behind the ratification of the United States Constitution. In addition to this foundational text, Amar references several classic works of literature and drama to illustrate historical concepts and social structures. He discusses the ancient ideas surrounding the manumission of slaves, drawing cultural parallels across the Bible, Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur, and Titus Maccius Plautus's Roman comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Amar also brings up Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park to compare historical social status and aristocratic standing to figures from early American history like George Washington. Through these references, Amar connects constitutional law with centuries of global literature and cultural history.
Books recommended by Akhil Amar
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The Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton is a foundational collection of essays and newspaper op-eds arguing for the ratification of the United States Constitution.
Recommended“If you have a taste for 18th century language, read the Federalist Papers, um a series of newspaper op-eds arguing um that the Constitution is a you know, a good document that should be ratified.”
Where to get it
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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Discussed“It's in Ben-Hur. It's in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The Zero Mostel character.”
Where to get it
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Ben-Hur
Discussed“It's in the Bible, you know, it And the old world had the idea of freeing slaves. It's in the Old Testament. It's in the New Testament. It's in Ben-Hur.”
Where to get it
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Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen is a classic novel that follows the quiet, moral Fanny Price as she navigates the complex social hierarchies, moral dilemmas, and romantic entanglements of her wealthy relatives' estate.
Discussed“He's not a lord, you know, like Lord Bertram or whatever in in Mansfield Park or something like that. He's, you know, he's not like Lady Catherine de Bourgh or whatever.”
Where to get it
Books Akhil Amar wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Makes America Exceptional, with Akhil Amar | Honestly with Bari Weiss | 2025-07-02 | 4 |
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Born Equal is the title. The subtitle is Remaking America's Constitution, 1840 to 1920. It's the second of three volumes.”
“We've been talking about the first volume, um The Words That Made Us, America's Constitutional Conversation, 1760 to 1840.”