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Every book Kim Stanley Robinson recommended on podcasts
Kim Stanley Robinson discussed and recommended several prominent works of economics, anthropology, and fiction during his appearance on The Ezra Klein Show. As part of a curated three-book recommendation, he highlighted Thomas Piketty's 'A Brief History of Equality', pointing listeners toward contemporary economic analysis. In the same segment, he recommended 'The Dawn of Everything' by David Graeber and David Wengrow, praising its anthropological scope, and he suggested Richard Powers's novel 'The Echo Maker', noting that he had recently reread the book. Expanding on economic themes during the conversation, Robinson also discussed Thomas Piketty's 'Time for Socialism' while exploring concepts of economic equality alongside related global viewpoints. Furthermore, he mentioned Richard Powers's acclaimed novel 'The Overstory' while reflecting on Powers's broader bibliography and encouraging audiences to revisit 'The Echo Maker'. Through these varied recommendations, Robinson engaged with complex themes spanning economic distribution, human history, narrative fiction, and environmental consciousness, offering listeners a diverse reading list rooted in rigorous academic inquiry and imaginative storytelling.
Books recommended by Kim Stanley Robinson
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A Brief History of Equality
A Brief History of Equality by Thomas Piketty is an expansive historical examination of economic inequality and the ongoing struggle for a more egalitarian society.
Recommended“I would say Tomas picaty's latest a brief history of equality”
Where to get it
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The Dawn of Everything
The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow is a sweeping archaeological and anthropological study that challenges conventional narratives about social evolution, inequality, and the origins of human civilization.
Recommended“and then I think it's interesting to read this last book by David Graber with David wingrow called the um the dawn of everything”
Where to get it
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The Echo Maker
The Echo Maker by Richard Powers is a contemporary novel that examines human consciousness, brain trauma, and environmental conservation through the story of a man recovering from a severe accident in the Nebraska sandhills.
Recommended“I recently reread one of his old novels the echo maker”
Where to get it
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The Overstory
The Overstory by Richard Powers is a sweeping, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that intertwines the lives of several Americans whose fates are connected to trees and environmental activism.
Discussed“and as much as the overstory has blown up the world I still would uh I mean actually that's a big audience say to them go back and read the echo maker”
Where to get it
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Time for Socialism
Discussed“one of his books one of his most recent books called time for socialism well between that and the Dalai Lama saying I love socialism I was kind of startled”
Where to get it
Books Kim Stanley Robinson wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Of: A Weird, Wonderful Conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson | The Ezra Klein Show | 2023-05-12 | 5 |
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“so in in some ways I will say this I am more encouraged now than I was when I wrote Ministry for the future in 2019”
“you might have brought this up because in my book Ministry for the future I have a long chapter about the U.S Navy where the wage ratio so-called is one to eight”