Mentioned in Podcasts

Person

Every book Paul Gillingham recommended on podcasts

Key facts

  • Paul Gillingham has recommended or discussed 2 books on podcasts, as of March 25, 2026.
  • Paul Gillingham has talked about books on 1 podcast, as of March 25, 2026.
  • Those books came up in 1 episode, as of March 25, 2026.
  • The 2 books Paul Gillingham has mentioned in the most episodes, as of March 25, 2026: Decencia and You Dreamed of Empires.
  • The latest episode with a book mention from Paul Gillingham aired on March 25, 2026.

Updated

Guest on Conversations with Tyler · 2 books · 1 episode across 1 podcast

Paul Gillingham appeared on the podcast Conversations with Tyler in March 2026 for an episode titled Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays Together, during which he discussed and recommended specific contemporary novels by author Álvaro Enrigue. Paul Gillingham recommended the novel Decencia, describing it as a modern equivalent to La muerte de Artemio Cruz that would be particularly appealing to anyone who appreciates Mexican humor and knows Mexico City. Additionally, he discussed Álvaro Enrigue's novel You Dreamed of Empires, translated by Natasha Wimmer. Paul Gillingham characterized this book as a retelling of the Spanish conquest framed as a glorified heist executed by fortunate thugs, a premise he noted most historians would agree with, and praised the novel for its stunning narrative twists. Throughout the podcast conversation, Paul Gillingham highlighted the literary contributions of Álvaro Enrigue in capturing the cultural nuances, historical complexities, and distinct humor associated with Mexico and its past.

Books recommended by Paul Gillingham

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.

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  1. Decencia

    Álvaro Enrigue · Recommended · 1 episode

    Decencia by Álvaro Enrigue is a contemporary novel that offers a sharp, satirical, and culturally grounded look into Mexican society and politics.

    Recommended
    “One is like a modern Muerte de Artemio Cruz; it’s called Decency, Decencia, which anybody who likes Mexican humor, likes Mexico City, will just get.”
    Conversations with Tyler Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays Together 2026-03-25 Listen at 1:03:40
    Where to get it
    AmazonListen on Audible

  2. You Dreamed of Empires

    Álvaro Enrigue; Natasha Wimmer · Recommended · 1 episode

    You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer, is an imaginative historical novel offering an alternative perspective on the Spanish conquest of Mexico by reframing the historical encounter as a chaotic, high-stakes heist carried out by fortunate thugs.

    Recommended
    “The other is You Dreamed of Empires in English, which is a retelling of the conquest as this glorified heist by a bunch of fortunate thugs, which I think most historians would agree with, and has some twists in it which are stunning.”
    Conversations with Tyler Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays Together 2026-03-25 Listen at 1:03:55
    Where to get it
    AmazonListen on Audible

Appearances

EpisodePodcastDateBooks
Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays TogetherConversations with Tyler2026-03-252