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Every book Cass Sunstein recommended on podcasts
Cass Sunstein appeared on Conversations with Tyler to discuss various literary and musical works, revealing a broad interest in both classic literature and cultural analysis. During the conversation, Sunstein referenced John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost while examining William Blake's literary interpretations. He also discussed his own work, specifically pointing out that Nudge was originally intended to be called Libertarian Paternalism. Delving into the overrated or underrated segment of the interview, Sunstein evaluated James Joyce's novel Ulysses, calling it arguably the richest novel produced in the last 150 years. He further praised Ulysses by comparing its greatness to A.S. Byatt's Possession, noting that while he could not claim Byatt's book was quite as rich, he enjoyed it even more. In addition to literature, Sunstein explored music history when he identified The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan as his choice for an underrated Bob Dylan album, acknowledging that while the record is widely appreciated and sits near the top of the artist's catalog, it still deserves special distinction.
Books recommended by Cass Sunstein
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Nudge
Nudge by Richard H.
Discussed“I mean, not in a way that’s fundamentally different from how I’ve been. And so, Nudge — the title for Nudge — we were committed to calling it Libertarian Paternalism.”
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Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost by John Milton is an epic seventeenth-century blank-verse poem detailing the biblical fall of man, including the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan and the fallen angel's rebellion against God.
Discussed“William Blake said of the greatest religious poem, I think, in the English language, Paradise Lost — said of John Milton roughly this.”
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Discussed“What’s the most underrated Bob Dylan album? SUNSTEIN: That’s a great question. I’m going to say The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. And it’s a bit of a risky choice because people don’t think it’s bad. It’s in the top seven, probably, and some people would put it in the top five.”
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Ulysses
Ulysses by James Joyce is a monumental modernist novel chronicling a single day in the life of Leopold Bloom in Dublin, celebrated for its stylistic experimentation and intricate parallels to Homer's Odyssey.
Discussed“James Joyce, overrated or underrated? Now, they’re watching back home, so be careful. SUNSTEIN: I think that — yeah, yeah, Irish family. I think underrated. Ulysses is arguably the richest novel in the last 150 years.”
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Books Cass Sunstein wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cass Sunstein on Judicial Minimalism, the Supreme Court, and Star Wars (Live at Mason) | Conversations with Tyler | 2016-06-22 | 5 |