Person
Every book David French recommended on podcasts
David French appeared on The Ezra Klein Show across multiple episodes to discuss legal developments, political philosophy, and historical events. A passionate reader and commentator, French regularly shared curated book recommendations tailored to history and theology enthusiasts. For military history buffs, he recommended Max Hastings's Operation Pedestal, praising its gripping storytelling of a critical 1942 convoy to save besieged Malta, as well as James Swanson's Manhunt, which chronicles the twelve-day chase for Abraham Lincoln's killer in a style reminiscent of a crime drama. Turning to ancient history, French recommended Tom Holland's Pax, which explores the peak of the Roman Empire. In the realm of theology and contemporary fiction, he highlighted N.T. Wright's Into the Heart of Romans for theology readers and James Ellroy's novel The Enchanters, noting Ellroy's characteristically dark and pessimistic narrative voice. These selections showcased French's broad intellectual interests spanning classical antiquity, military campaigns, constitutional history, and literary fiction.
Books recommended by David French
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Into the Heart of Romans
Into the Heart of Romans by N.
Recommended“the next one is a brand new book by NT Wright who's a theologian and it's called Uh Into the Heart of Romans and this is for your theology Buffs who are Ezra who listened to to your show Ezra and it really is making a really interesting argument that the book of Romans this pivotal book in the New”
Where to get it
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Los Seductores / the Enchanters
Los Seductores / The Enchanters is a novel by James Ellroy known for its gritty narrative and distinct authorial voice.
Recommended“his news book is the enchanters he's got this infectiously pessimistic down on everything voice”
Where to get it
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Manhunt
Manhunt by James L.
Recommended“and then the next book is um back to your history Buffs and it's called Manhunt uh 12-day Chase for Lincoln's killer and it's by James Swanson and if you pick it up you start reading it and you realize it feels like I'm reading almost like a a script for a television crime drama it sort of takes the”
Where to get it
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Operation Pedestal
Operation Pedestal by Max Hastings is a military history account detailing the dangerous 1942 naval convoy mission to deliver vital supplies to the besieged island of Malta.
Recommended“it's a Max Hastings book he's one of my favorite military historians it's called operation pedestal and for you military history Buffs who uh listen to Ezra really phenomenal storytelling about a pivotal Convoy to save Malta in 1942 when it was under siege just incredible cast of characters and remarkable level of heroism and it's a really tremendous book”
Where to get it
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Pax
Pax is a historical nonfiction book by Tom Holland that explores the historical and political dynamics of the Roman Empire.
Recommended“one is Pax p-a-x by Tom Holland not Spider-Man uh the British popular historian writing about the peak of the Roman Empire”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Should Trump Be Barred From the Ballot? | The Ezra Klein Show | 2024-01-12 | 3 |
| Two Attorneys Rank the Severity of Trump’s Indictments | The Ezra Klein Show | 2023-09-26 | 2 |