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Kurt Andersen books: every book Kurt Andersen wrote and recommended
Across 2 podcasts. Every show Kurt Andersen appears on, in one place — not just one.
Books by Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen’s most recommended books
- New York, New York, New York by Thomas Dyja
- Transformation by Larry Thomas
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
- The Organization Man by William H. Whyte
Kurt B. Andersen is an American writer, the author of novels and nonfiction, as well as a writer for television and the theater. His work frequently focuses on American sociopolitical history and satire, ranging from cultural analysis to near-future speculative fiction. During podcast interviews, Andersen has recommended and discussed various works of history and social commentary. He reintroduced Thomas Dyja and his book New York, New York, New York on Freakonomics Radio, discussing how the volume covers the terms and leadership of five New York City mayors including Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, and Bill de Blasio. Additionally, Andersen mentioned William H. Whyte's The Organization Man as an early sociological study examining the impact of corporate and suburban life on Americans, referenced his own co-written book You Can't Spell America Without Me, and discussed the writing timeline of his previous book Fantasyland in relation to Donald Trump.
Books recommended by Kurt Andersen
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New York, New York, New York
New York, New York, New York by Thomas Dyja is a comprehensive urban history that charts four decades of New York City's transformation, success, and excess through the tenures of five distinct mayoral administrations from Ed Koch to Bill de Blasio.
Discussed“New York New York New York covers the terms of five New York City Mayors Ed Koch David Dinkins Rudy Giuliani Michael Bloomberg and the current one Bill de Blasio”
Where to get it
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Transformation
Transformation by Larry Thomas, more fully titled New York New York New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation by Thomas Dyja, is a comprehensive exploration of New York City's complex urban evolution over forty years.
Discussed“New York New York New York covers the terms of five New York City Mayors Ed Koch David Dinkins Rudy Giuliani Michael Bloomberg and the current one Bill de Blasio”
Where to get it
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You Can't Spell America Without Me
You Can't Spell America Without Me by Alec Baldwin and Kurt Andersen is a satirical inside account of Donald Trump's first year in the presidency.
Discussed“it's called you can't spell America without me the really tremendous Inside Story of my fantastic first Year's president by Donald J Trump”
Where to get it
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Fantasyland
Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen is a cultural history book that examines America's deep-rooted national propensity to believe in magical thinking, conspiracy theories, and nonsensical, illogical ideas throughout its history.
Discussed“first of all Fantasy Land I wrote and finished before Donald Trump was even nominated so it wasn't like oh look Donald Trump”
Where to get it
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The Death and Life of Great American Cities
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs is a seminal 1961 non-fiction work that offers a systemic look at how urban environments function, critiquing mid-century renewal policies and championing vibrant street life.
Discussed“Holly White had heard her speak at Harvard and ask her to write a piece for Fortune Magazine which led to her 1961 book the death and life of American cities”
Where to get it
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The Organization Man
Discussed“Holly white wrote a book called the organization man which was one of the first sociological looks at the impact of corporate life and Suburban life on American people”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Does New York City Keep Reinventing Itself? | Freakonomics Radio | Bonus Episode | Freakonomics Radio | 2021-03-21 | 10 |
| Kurt Andersen on ‘Evil Geniuses’ | The Book Review | 2020-08-28 | 1 |
| Kurt Andersen on Channeling President Trump | The Book Review | 2017-11-10 | 2 |
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Tom digio worked for decades in book publishing and as an author he's written big books like this one before his most recent the Third Coast was about Chicago his hometown”
“the power broker by Robert Carrow the book you see on a bookshelf behind every single cable news Zoom interviewee”