Every book Radley Balko recommended on podcasts

Radley Balko appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to discuss political and legal developments, sharing insights drawn from his investigative background and commentary on state power and systemic issues. During the conversation, Balko offered a series of reading recommendations for listeners seeking to deepen their understanding of contemporary affairs and institutions. Among his selections, Balko recommended the book Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs by Kerry Howley, whom he identified as a friend and former colleague. He described the work as a focused exploration of the modern surveillance state, tracing its evolution and examining the case of Reality Winner to illustrate how the national intelligence apparatus has developed into its current form. Through this recommendation, Balko highlighted the urgent real-world implications of government overreach, investigative journalism, and national security policies. His appearance on the podcast underscored his ongoing engagement with civil liberties, government accountability, and the intricate systems of modern surveillance that impact privacy and dissent in contemporary society.