Person
Every book John Mearsheimer recommended on podcasts
Across 3 podcasts. Every show John Mearsheimer appears on, in one place — not just one.
John Mearsheimer discussed several influential books during his podcast appearances. On Breaking Points, he brought up his own book The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, which he co-authored with Stephen M. Walt, to analyze the long-term history and impact of the Israel lobby in United States politics, and to explain his view that Prime Minister Netanyahu could use the lobby to force Donald Trump to back off from a confrontation. Speaking on The Tucker Carlson Show, Mearsheimer discussed Leon Uris's novel Exodus, explaining how the book and its film adaptation portrayed Israelis in a favorable light and shaped his youthful perspective before he learned more history. During an interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Mearsheimer referenced Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan while discussing political philosophy, anarchy, and the necessity of creating a state to resolve human conflict. On the same podcast, he also discussed Francis Fukuyama's The End of History to explain the liberal optimistic perspective on democratic triumph, and praised Samuel P. Huntington's Who are We? while discussing demographics and American immigration.
Books recommended by John Mearsheimer
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The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
The Israel Lobby and U.S.
Discussed“As I like to say, when Stephen I wrote the original article on the lobby in 2006 and then we wrote the book in 2007, I don't think either one of us ever imagined that we would be at the point we are now at today.”
Where to get it
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Leviathan
Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes is a foundational political treatise arguing that in the absence of a powerful central authority, human life would exist in a state of perpetual and violent conflict.
Discussed“It's what he calls the Leviathan. And that, of course is the title of his famous book.”
Where to get it
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Exodus
Exodus by Leon Uris is a historical novel detailing the founding of the State of Israel and the turbulent events surrounding its creation.
Discussed“When I grew up as a kid, I was heavily influenced by Leon Urus's book Exodus and then the subsequent movie with I think Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint & and that of course that Exodus story portrayed the Israelis in the most favorable light and the Arabs or Palestinians in the most negative light.”
Where to get it
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The end of history
The End of History and the Last Man by Francis Fukuyama is a celebrated international relations text arguing that the triumph of liberal democracy after the Cold War represents the endpoint of humanity's ideological evolution.
Discussed“And this basic argument is inherent in Francis Fukuyama's "The End of History." He argues that democracy triumph first over fascism”
Where to get it
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Who are We?
Who are We? by Samuel P.
Discussed“Sam Huntington's book, "Who are We?" Which in many ways, I love that book.”
Where to get it
Books John Mearsheimer wrote
Appearances
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“And that brings us back to the two-state solution, but is you and I were talking about a few minutes ago, it's hard to see how you get a two-state solution. And the end result of this conversation is utter despair.”