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Every book George Saunders recommended on podcasts
George Saunders appears on cultural and literary interview programs as an acclaimed author, discussing the darker aspects of human nature, historical atrocities, and the meditative practices that offer relief from modern life. As evident from his conversation on The Ezra Klein Show, he engages with profound moral questions and artistic expressions that capture the complexities of the human condition. Saunders recommended three diverse books during his appearance, starting with Victor Klemperer's diary, "I Will Bear Witness," which he praised as an incredible historical record. He also recommended Isaac Babel's short story collection "Red Cavalry," noting that he loves the book so much he may have recommended it previously due to its kaleidoscopic and chaotic perspective on war and humanity. As an antidote to the relentless speed of modern existence, Saunders recommended James Rebanks's "The Place of Tides," describing it as a quiet and beautiful non-fiction work about a remote island life. Additionally, Saunders discussed Leo Tolstoy's novella "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," citing it as a direct creative parallel and inspiration for his own literary explorations of a dying protagonist confronting a wasted life.
Books recommended by George Saunders
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I Will Bear Witness
I Will Bear Witness by Victor Klemperer is a powerful and harrowing historical diary documenting the daily life, increasing persecution, and gradual disenfranchisement of a Jewish professor in Germany under the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1941.
Recommended“Well, there's one I'm sure you read this, but um, I will bear witness by Victor Clemper. It's an incredible I bought this recently, but I have not read it yet.”
Where to get it
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Red Cavalry
Red Cavalry by Isaac Babel is a classic collection of short stories depicting the brutal, chaotic, and kaleidoscopic experiences of the Soviet-Polish War through the eyes of a Jewish intellectual serving in a Cossack cavalry unit.
Recommended“And then the other one I I would recommend, I maybe have recommended it before because I love it so much, but it's Red Cavalry by Isaac Babble, the Jewish Russian writer.”
Where to get it
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The Place of Tides
The Place of Tides by James Rebanks is a reflective non-fiction work that chronicles the author's journey to a remote island off the coast of Iceland, where he lives and works alongside a local woman amidst dramatic coastal landscapes.
Recommended“And then the third one would be more u maybe more of a an antidote. It's a beautiful book called The Place of Tides by uh James Reebanks and he just goes non-fiction and he goes to uh an island um I think it's off Iceland and he lives with this woman...”
Where to get it
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The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories
Discussed“One of the books I had in mind while I was writing this was death of Ivan Illich by Toltoy. In that book it's it's a much more modest sinner and his sin is just that he he lived his life by the credo that I just want to do what everybody else is doing.”
Where to get it
Books George Saunders wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Darker Side of George Saunders | The Ezra Klein Show | The Ezra Klein Show | 2026-02-10 | 4 |