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Every book Jonathan Blitzer recommended on podcasts
Jonathan Blitzer brings deep reporting experience and geopolitical insight to his podcast appearances, discussing complex global issues and foreign affairs. When appearing as a guest on The Ezra Klein Show, Blitzer offered a curated selection of notable book recommendations spanning fiction and historical nonfiction. His first recommendation was Edward P. Jones's novel 'The Known World', set in antebellum Virginia, which Blitzer described as one of the most astonishing and favorite American novels he has ever read. For his second recommendation, Blitzer turned to Carolyn Forché's memoir 'What You Have Heard Is True', a haunting reflection on the author's experiences living in El Salvador at the onset of the Salvadoran civil war when she was twenty-seven years old. Concluding his recommendations, Blitzer suggested Ben Macintyre's 'The Spy and the Traitor', a true story detailing a Soviet double agent working for British intelligence during the Cold War. Through these recommendations, Blitzer highlights works that deeply examine historical turmoil, systemic injustices, and dramatic real-life espionage.
Books recommended by Jonathan Blitzer
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The Known World
The Known World by Edward P.
Recommended“Uh my first would be uh a novel called The Known World by Edward P. Jones uh about Auntie Billum Virginia. One of the most astonishing novels I've ever read. Uh one of my favorite American novels. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
Where to get it
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The Spy and the Traitor
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a gripping non-fiction book that chronicles the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB double agent who secretly worked for British intelligence during the Cold War.
Recommended“Uh and my last recommendation would be The Spy and the Trader by Ben McIntyre from several years back uh about a Soviet uh double agent uh who was uh you know working for the KGB but became a double agent for uh British intelligence during the Cold War. Absolutely astonishing true story that reads like fiction.”
Where to get it
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What You Have Heard Is True
What You Have Heard Is True by Carolyn Forche is a memoir documenting a poet's formative experiences in El Salvador on the brink of civil war.
Recommended“Um my second recommendation is a memoir by Carolyn Forche called What You Have Heard Is True. Um when she was 27, she was living in El Salvador at the start of what became the Salvadorian civil war. And it's sort of a reflection on what that period was like for her. It's incredibly haunting and beautiful.”
Where to get it
Books Jonathan Blitzer wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Trump Wants in Venezuela | The Ezra Klein Show | The Ezra Klein Show | 2026-01-06 | 3 |