Person
Every book Darrin Lind recommended on podcasts
Darrin Lind appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to discuss the policy objectives of the incoming Trump administration, the state of the civil service, and the political realities facing rural America. Offering sharp institutional and cultural critiques, Lind recommended several vital books that contextualize contemporary political governance and socio-economic struggles. He highlighted Barbara Kingsolver's novel Demon Copperhead, which he read twice in the previous year, praising it as a powerful antidote to oversimplified political debates surrounding the rural poor over the last quarter-century. Lind also recommended Jonathan Blitzer's Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, specifically pointing to its archival material on the 1980s as an important reminder that government policies are driven by human decisions. Finally, he recommended Michael Lewis's The Fifth Risk, suggesting it as an essential refresher on the myriad foundational functions performed by the federal civil service. Through these selections, Lind underscored the human element at the heart of public policy and governmental administration.
Books recommended by Darrin Lind
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Demon Copperhead
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is a critically acclaimed contemporary novel that reimagines the classic David Copperfield tale within the context of the opioid crisis and rural poverty in southern Appalachia.
Recommended“demon Copperhead was the only novel I read twice last year and I think that it is the rebuttal to all of the you know pseudo sentimental like Hil hbil elogy debate in terms of what really happened to the rural poor over the last 25 years”
Where to get it
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Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer is a non-fiction book that explores the complex history of immigration and the experiences of migrants.
Recommended“everyone who has gone is here by Jonathan Blitzer specifically the first half which talks about the 80s and has really great archival material as a reminder that like Government is made of people and people make decisions”
Where to get it
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The Fifth Risk
The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis is a non-fiction book that examines the vital, often unseen functions performed by the federal civil service and highlights the risks of neglecting government agencies during presidential transitions.
Recommended“the fifth Risk by Michael Lewis is probably a good book to revisit if you have it and to skim if you haven't read it checked it out yet just for a reminder of the innumerable things that the Federal government does that a like broad-based attack on the civil service is going to end up you know degrading it”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Trump Is Really Doing | The Ezra Klein Show | The Ezra Klein Show | 2025-01-28 | 3 |