Person
Every book Will Summer recommended on podcasts
Will Summer appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to discuss politics and offer reading recommendations to the audience. He began by bringing up Rick Perlstein's Nixonland series as a valuable historical resource. Summer then recommended James Ellroy's novel American Tabloid, noting that the book focuses on the Kennedy assassination and is an essential read for anyone who enjoys a conspiratorial mindset, especially given that JFK files were back in the news. Finally, Summer recommended Lucy Sante's book Low Life, pointing out that it explores the history of organized crime and various sketchy characters in New York City over the centuries, making it an engaging and atmospheric book to visit for those interested in historical subcultures. Through these selections, Summer provided listeners with historical and narrative works spanning political histories, true crime eras, and historical fiction.
Books recommended by Will Summer
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American Tabloid
American Tabloid by James Ellroy is a sprawling historical fiction novel that delves deep into the dark underbelly of American politics, organized crime, and the conspiracies surrounding the Kennedy assassination.
Recommended“Um, my second book uh would be James Elroyy's American Tabloid, a novel about uh the Kennedy assassination. If you've enjoyed, you know, thinking putting yourself in kind of conspiratorial mindset, uh, and obviously JFK is in the news with the release of these files, I mean, this book really cannot be beat.”
Where to get it
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Low Life
Low Life by Lucy Sante is a gritty historical chronicle documenting the underworld, vice, and marginalized populations of early New York City across multiple centuries.
Recommended“And then finally, I would say Lucy Sante's uh book, Low Life, about the history of organized crime and kind of skezy characters in New York over the centuries is always a good one to visit and, you know, again, kind of takes you back.”
Where to get it
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Nixonland
Nixonland by Rick Perlstein is a comprehensive historical chronicle examining the deep political polarization, social upheaval, and rise of modern conservatism in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Recommended“You know, I think we would also think of, you know, Rick Pearlstein's Nixon Land series, stuff like that.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Trump Can’t Shake Jeffrey Epstein | The Ezra Klein Show | The Ezra Klein Show | 2025-07-18 | 3 |