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Every book Steven Spielberg recommended on podcasts

Guest on SmartLess · 3 books · 1 episode across 1 podcast

Steven Spielberg appeared on SmartLess to discuss his legendary career as a filmmaker and the various cinematic influences that shaped his work over the decades. During the conversation, Steven Spielberg discussed All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, recalling how he was amazed by the moving cameras in Lewis Milestone's film adaptation and explaining how those shots stuck with him throughout his life. He also referenced Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell during a discussion about the history of blockbusters, noting that it achieved massive commercial success long before Jaws popularized the term. Additionally, Steven Spielberg mentioned Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard, discussing how Tom Stoppard adapted the book into a screenplay for the film version that he ultimately directed. Throughout the interview, Steven Spielberg reflected on these literary and cinematic milestones, highlighting how written works translated into foundational visual media that impacted his artistic development and the broader history of cinema.

Books recommended by Steven Spielberg

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. All Quiet on the Western Front

    Erich Maria Remarque · Discussed · 1 episode

    All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a classic anti-war novel that depicts the profound physical and psychological trauma experienced by young German soldiers during the First World War.

    Discussed
    “Growing up, I was amazed by moving cameras, especially in Lewis Milestone's work, like in All Quiet on the Western Front or Pork Chop Hill. Those amazing shots with the camera moving to climb a hill with Gregory Peck, Woody Strode, and Robert Blake stuck with me!”
    SmartLess Steven Spielberg 2023-01-16 Listen at 30:19
    Where to get it
    AmazonListen on Audible

  2. Empire of the Sun

    J. G. Ballard · Discussed · 1 episode

    Discussed
    “that was in the script that was Tom stopper's contribution who wrote the script based on the J.G. Ballard book”
    SmartLess Steven Spielberg 2023-01-16 Listen at 41:31
    Where to get it
    AmazonListen on Audible

  3. Gone with the Wind

    Margaret Mitchell · Discussed · 1 episode

    Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is an epic historical novel set against the American Civil War and Reconstruction eras, chronicling the tumultuous life and resilience of its protagonist, Scarlett O'Hara.

    Discussed
    “But Indiana Jones—that was around the block too for The Greatest Show on Earth by Cecil B. DeMille and also Gone with the Wind. Yes, everybody thinks Jaws was the first blockbuster, but it wasn't!”
    SmartLess Steven Spielberg 2023-01-16 Listen at 34:28
    Where to get it
    AmazonListen on Audible

Appearances

EpisodePodcastDateBooks
Steven SpielbergSmartLess2023-01-163