Person

Every book Matt Duss recommended on podcasts

Key facts

  • Matt Duss has recommended or discussed 3 books on podcasts, as of June 9, 2026.
  • Matt Duss has talked about books on 1 podcast, as of June 9, 2026.
  • Those books came up in 1 episode, as of June 9, 2026.
  • The 3 books Matt Duss has mentioned in the most episodes, as of June 9, 2026: Book of Mercy, Crisis of the Common Good and From Life Itself.
  • The latest episode with a book mention from Matt Duss aired on June 9, 2026.

Updated

Guest on The Ezra Klein Show · 3 books · 1 episode across 1 podcast

Matt Duss appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to share his insights on politics, community, and foreign policy, grounding his perspectives in a curated selection of thoughtful book recommendations. Duss recommended Senator Chris Murphy's book, The Crisis of the Common Good, praising it as an essential and insightful analysis that brilliantly articulates the core issues ailing modern political systems and examines the erosion of community bonds. He also recommended Suzy Hansen's book, From Life Itself, highlighting its deeply reported exploration of an Istanbul neighborhood and how it captures a decade of profound shifts in Turkish democracy and political life. Finally, Duss recommended Leonard Cohen's Book of Mercy, a collection of modern psalms that carried deep personal resonance for him during a difficult time following the passing of his mother, who had been a woman of profound religious faith. Through these recommendations, Duss reflects a thoughtful engagement with political theory, international journalism, and the deeply personal, spiritual dimensions of literature that help individuals navigate both societal crises and private grief.

Books recommended by Matt Duss

Who said what is determined automatically. In hand-checked samples, at least 6% of mentions were credited to the wrong speaker — sometimes an interviewer’s line recorded as the guest’s, sometimes the reverse. Every entry below quotes the words and links to the episode, so you can check it.

We earn a commission if you buy through the store links below, at no cost to you.

  1. Book of Mercy

    Leonard Cohen · Recommended · 1 episode

    Book of Mercy by Leonard Cohen is a powerful collection of modern prose-poetry and contemporary psalms that delve deeply into themes of grief, spirituality, and human vulnerability.

    Recommended
    “And the last one is book by Leonard Cohen. It's called Book of Mercy. Um So, my mom recently passed away. She's She was among other things a woman of deep religious faith... And it's just been something that I shared with her in her last months”
    Where to get it
  2. Crisis of the Common Good

    Chris Murphy · Recommended · 1 episode

    Crisis of the Common Good by Chris Murphy is a political and social critique examining the erosion of community bonds and the foundational challenges facing modern American democracy.

    Recommended
    “you mentioned Senator Chris Murphy and his his new book, The Crisis of the Common Good. I've just been reading it and I really I really recommend it because as I said, I think Senator Murphy um has been one someone who has really articulated a strong theory of the case of what really ails our politics”
    Where to get it
  3. From Life Itself

    Suzy Hansen · Recommended · 1 episode

    From Life Itself by Suzy Hansen is a compelling work of nonfiction that explores the complex political and social landscape of Turkey through deeply reported investigations into a single neighborhood in Istanbul over a span of ten years.

    Recommended
    “The second one is by journalist Suzy Hansen. It's called From Life Itself. It's a book about Turkey through just exploring one neighborhood in Istanbul um that she she's reported on over 10 years”
    Where to get it

Appearances

EpisodePodcastDateBooks
What’s the Left’s Vision for Foreign Policy After Trump? | The Ezra Klein ShowThe Ezra Klein Show2026-06-093