Person
Every book Matt Duss recommended on podcasts
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
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Book of Mercy
Book of Mercy by Leonard Cohen is a collection of contemporary prose poems and modern psalms that explore deep spiritual themes, grief, and faith.
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
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Crisis of the Common Good
Crisis of the Common Good by Chris Murphy is a political book examining the state of modern community and governance.
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
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From Life Itself
From Life Itself by Suzy Hansen is a work of immersive journalism that examines the political and social transformations within Turkey by focusing closely on a single neighborhood in Istanbul.
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
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| What’s the Left’s Vision for Foreign Policy After Trump? | The Ezra Klein Show | The Ezra Klein Show | 2026-06-09 | 3 |