Every book Zaren Bernett recommended on podcasts

Zaren Bernett appeared as a guest on Behind the Bastards in an episode titled Part Two: Alex Karp: How Palantir's CEO Went From Marxist To Anti-Woke Crusader, which aired in August 2026. During the podcast, Bernett recommended the book The Man Who Stole the Gods by Matthew Campbell. Bernett mentioned that the book serves as an interesting two-part interview about ridiculous crimes, focusing specifically on the Cambodian civil war, the conflict in Vietnam, and the various art collectors who exploited the widespread chaos to extract statuary from significant historical sites such as Angkor Wat. This recommendation was shared while Bernett was plugging their own podcast, Ridiculous Crime. Although no formal biographical background was provided during the appearance, Bernett's discussion centered on true crime and international antiquities theft. The book offers readers a detailed look into the illicit trafficking of ancient cultural artifacts during periods of intense geopolitical turmoil, highlighting the intersection of war, greed, and art theft in Southeast Asia. Listeners interested in history, true crime, and international investigations were directed to explore Campbell's work for further insight into these dramatic historical events.