Podcast

Steve Levitt's book list: the books mentioned on People I (Mostly) Admire

Hosted by Steve Levitt · 147 episodes covered · 272 books · 69 people · Website

Steve Levitt’s own book recommendations, across every podcast →

Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memor…

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  1. Freakonomics

    Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner · Discussed 14 episodes

    Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's Freakonomics was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire in conversations about popular science writing and unexpected success. Host and co-author Steve Levitt reflected on writing the book as a popular-audience adaptation of academic papers, pushing back against critical claims that it failed to reform the academic field of economics. Guests like Bjarke Ingels and John Green also discussed reading the book and compared their own career milestones to its runaway popularity.

    Discussed
    “Freakonomics has actually been a book that I really enjoyed because it is saturated.”
    Where to get it
  2. Thinking, Fast and Slow

    Daniel Kahneman · Discussed 8 episodes

    Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow was discussed across several episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire, including a tribute episode following the author's passing. Host Steve Levitt frequently referenced the book as a blockbuster bestseller that popularized behavioral economics, introducing concepts like system one and system two thinking. In a special episode, Kahneman himself joined Levitt to discuss the profound impact and writing process behind the book, noting how it completely reshaped his intellectual focus.

    Discussed
    “It's what Danny Conorman calls system one versus system two thinking. Can you explain to someone why those two modes of thinking matter? Reading Danny Conaman's book, Thinking Fast and Slow, really was just a life-changing experience for me and so many other people”
    Where to get it
  3. Superfreakonomics

    Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner · Discussed 7 episodes

    Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's SuperFreakonomics was discussed by Steve Levitt across multiple episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire between 2023 and 2024. Levitt reflected on the book's controversial climate change chapter, its lower sales compared to Freakonomics, predictions regarding carbon emissions, and the sensitive nature of discussing solar geoengineering.

    Discussed
    “I was in New York City shortly after the release of super Freakonomics the follow-up to Freakonomics and that book was proving to be quite controversial because of a chapter we had written on climate change”
    Where to get it
  4. Between Two Kingdoms

    Suleika Jaouad · Highly recommended 4 episodes

    Suleika Jaouad's memoir "Between Two Kingdoms" was discussed and recommended on People I (Mostly) Admire by Steve Levitt across multiple episodes in 2024 and 2025. Levitt recommended the book to listeners alongside Jaouad's documentary "American Symphony," brought it up during a conversation with guest Hank Green about cancer experiences, and praised it for documenting Jaouad's battle with cancer and her return to everyday life. Levitt also shared an emotional reaction, stating that he cried repeatedly while reading the memoir.

    Discussed
    “I'm not generally an emotional or an empathetic person, but I cried over and over reading your book between two kingdoms.”
    Where to get it
  5. The Fault in Our Stars

    John Green · Highly recommended 4 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt frequently discussed John Green's novel The Fault in Our Stars. Levitt shared that he re-read the book and loved it, noting it is one of his favorite works about young people with cancer who fall in love. Guest Suleika Jaouad also discussed the novel, describing how she read it multiple times during her cancer treatment and found comfort and friendship in the characters.

    Discussed
    “Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? It's John Green's book about two young people, I think, with cancer who are dying, who fall in love. It's one of my favorite books. I love John Green. I had him on the show. He was amazing.”
    Where to get it
  6. A Brief History of Time

    Stephen Hawking · Recommended 3 episodes

    Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time came up on People I (Mostly) Admire as Steve Levitt discussed popular science literature. Levitt and guest Sendhil Mullainathan talked about the irony of the book being a ubiquitous presence on bookshelves while rarely being fully read. Levitt also reflected on how interviews with scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson inspired curiosity and a renewed desire to tackle complex works like Hawking's classic.

    Discussed
    “I think like many people my first real introduction to black holes was Stephen Hawkings book a brief history of time and I think that book must have come out in the 1980s and it sold millions and millions of copies probably one of the bestselling science books of all time.”
    Where to get it
  7. Drug Use for Grown-Ups

    Carl L. Hart · Discussed 3 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt and guest Owen Flanagan discussed Carl L. Hart's book Drug Use for Grown-Ups. Levitt praised the book and questioned Hart about the sensational media headlines triggered by his personal admission of heroin use. Hart explained his original intent to focus on drugs, pleasure, and personal autonomy, and detailed specific chapters in the book that critique how scientific language and brain imaging studies are often manipulated to misrepresent drug effects.

    Discussed
    “he is a recreational heroin smoker and his book in which he defends legalizing all drugs is very libertarian and he's clear about that”
    Where to get it
  8. Enlightenment Now

    Steven Pinker · Discussed 3 episodes

    Steven Pinker's book Enlightenment Now was brought up on People I (Mostly) Admire by Steve Levitt and Morgan Levey. The hosts discussed the core themes of reason, science, humanism, and progress, referencing past interviews with Pinker to evaluate how views on human progress have evolved.

    Discussed
    “Five years ago, we talked a lot about his book entitled Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.”
    Where to get it
  9. Grit

    Angela Duckworth · Recommended 3 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Stephen Dubner and guest Steve Levitt discussed Grit by Angela Duckworth. Dubner introduced Duckworth by praising her work, while Levitt highlighted the book's massive societal impact and bestseller status during their interview. Levitt also brought up Grit in a later conversation with Annie Duke, contrasting the concept of perseverance with the art of quitting.

    Discussed
    “in 2016 you wrote a book called grit that really touched a nerve in society it became a mega bestseller”
    Where to get it
  10. Life Undercover

    Amaryllis Fox · Discussed 3 episodes

    Amaryllis Fox's book Life Undercover was discussed by host Steve Levitt across multiple episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire. Levitt praised the memoir and explored themes from Fox's career as a CIA operative, including the emotional toll of espionage, the strict realities of leaving the agency, the surprising proximity of terror groups to nuclear capabilities, and how Fox's high degree of empathy fit into her covert work. Fox also noted that the book frequently resonates with young women reaching out about personal fulfillment.

    Discussed
    “So I absolutely loved your book.”
    Where to get it
  11. Noise

    Daniel Kahneman; Olivier Sibony; Cass R. Sunstein · Recommended 3 episodes

    Noise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein was featured on People I (Mostly) Admire. Steve Levitt promoted the book at the end of an episode ahead of its May 2021 release and later discussed its fresh ideas in a tribute episode following Kahneman's passing. Additionally, in a listener mail segment, David Reedman cited the book's concept of a noise audit as the foundation for his PhD dissertation on school security.

    Discussed
    “Conorman talked about his book noise which is the variability in human judgment. And I took Conorman's concept of a noise audit which is measuring the aggregate variability in a group and use this to evaluate how school police officers assess threats of violence at K through2 schools.”
    Where to get it
  12. Scarcity

    Sendhil Mullainathan; Eldar Shafir · Highly recommended 3 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir's book Scarcity was recommended by host Steve Levitt and the show's announcer during episodes in January 2023 and September 2026. Levitt discussed his initial skepticism regarding the title and explored themes of poverty with Mullainathan, who shared positive reader feedback concerning how accurately the book captured the experience of being poor.

    Discussed
    “But in this week's episode, I pick up in the middle of our conversation with me telling Sendil about my first reaction to hearing that he had written a book entitled Scarcity.”
    Where to get it
  13. The evolution of cooperation

    Robert M. Axelrod · Recommended 3 episodes

    Steve Levitt brought up Robert Axelrod's book The Evolution of Cooperation on People I (Mostly) Admire, recalling that reading it in college for an economics course blew his mind. Yul Kwon also discussed Axelrod's work on the podcast to explain game theory strategies used on Survivor. Later, Steve Levitt hosted Robert Axelrod on the show, where they discussed the book's profound impact and shared anecdotes about how it inspired readers in real-life situations.

    Discussed
    “So from a game theory perspective, I was always a fan of Robert Axelrod's work around the evolution of cooperation.”
    Where to get it
  14. The Selfish Gene

    Richard Dawkins · Discussed 3 episodes

    Richard Dawkins's influential book The Selfish Gene was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire across multiple episodes. In episode 137, host Steve Levitt admitted to reading the book for the first time, noting how eye-opening it was, and discussed its chapters on memes and the economics of family planning with Dawkins himself. In episode 136, guest Richard Prum referenced the book while analyzing evolutionary biologists' traditional views on genetics, and Levitt also mentioned it in another episode while discussing prefaces.

    Discussed
    “I have to start with a confession before last week i' never read your book to selfish genene I have now and I was quite shocked at how eye openening the book was for me”
    Where to get it
  15. The Soul of an Octopus

    Sy Montgomery · Discussed 3 episodes

    Sy Montgomery's book The Soul of an Octopus was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire when host Steve Levitt interviewed the author and later referenced her work in other episodes. Levitt highlighted the book as a finalist for the National Book Award, emphasizing how it captured the public imagination and detailed Montgomery's profound bond with an octopus. Montgomery herself discussed the book's impact, noting how it inspired readers to change their personal eating habits regarding seafood.

    Discussed
    “are you familiar with the nature writer sa Montgomery y among many other books she wrote one called the soul of the octopus”
    Where to get it
  16. The Sports Gene

    David Epstein · Recommended 3 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, David Epstein's book The Sports Gene was discussed by host Steve Levitt and guest Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. Levitt and Stephens-Davidowitz referenced the book to examine genetics in sports and to explore how the work debunks the popular 10,000-hour rule.

    Discussed
    “I had David Epstein on the show a couple years back he's written some great books like range and the sports Gene”
    Where to get it
  17. The Wealth of Nations

    Adam Smith · Discussed 3 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt and Peter Singer discussed Adam Smith's book The Wealth of Nations. Levitt brought up the work to explore the Invisible Hand Theory and contrast his own economic background with Singer's moral philosophy. Singer also highlighted the contrast between The Wealth of Nations and Smith's other work, The Theory of Moral Sentiments.

    Discussed
    “I'd forgotten that Dubner had done this three-part series on Adam Smith, and to win the Adam Smith Award, Dubner crafted an absolutely brilliant speech in which he talked about Adam Smith's life and details; it was really masterful.”
    Where to get it
  18. A Void

    Georges Perec · Discussed 2 episodes

    Guest Sarah Hart discussed Georges Perec's lipogrammatic novel 'A Void' on People I (Mostly) Admire, referencing its clever English title to explain how literary constraints relate to themes within the narrative.

    Discussed
    “whereas perex book called Lis barion The Disappearance and in English it's called aoid which both clever titles”
    Where to get it
  19. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

    Lewis Carroll · Discussed 2 episodes

    On the People I (Mostly) Admire episode The Joy of Math With Sarah Hart, Steve Levitt brought up Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Levitt used the classic work to ask a guest about the presence of mathematical logic in children's literature.

    Discussed
    “and with Lewis Carroll being of course the most famous mathematician author of all time he must have used math in his stories like Alice in Wonderland”
    Where to get it
  20. Animal Liberation

    Peter Singer · Recommended 2 episodes

    Peter Singer's book Animal Liberation was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by host Steve Levitt. Levitt referenced the 2015 edition of the book while analyzing U.S. meat consumption statistics and noted that the text heavily influenced many individuals to adopt vegetarianism and contributed to the rise of the effective altruism movement.

    Discussed
    “I personally know at least a dozen people who became vegetarian after they read his book animal Liberation and the effective altruism movement is in large part the consequence of his early writings on the topic”
    Where to get it
  21. Braiding Sweetgrass

    Robin Wall Kimmerer · Recommended 2 episodes

    Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by host Steve Levitt. Levitt enthusiastically recommended the book, noting that it stands out as one of the best-selling and most influential non-fiction works of the past decade. He highlighted the incredible social impact the book has achieved since entering the New York Times bestseller list, ahead of an interview with the author.

    Discussed
    “Robin's book, Braiding Sweetg Grass, is one of the best-selling and most influential non-fiction books of the last decade.”
    Where to get it
  22. Breath

    James Nestor · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt recommended James Nestor's Breath in September 2024, and previewed it alongside the author's other work in August 2024. Levitt also used the episodes to transition the conversation directly to the themes and details of the book with the author.

    Discussed
    “let's turn to your more recent book it's called breath”
    Where to get it
  23. Career and Family

    Claudia Dale Goldin · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    Claudia Dale Goldin's Career and Family was highlighted across episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire in 2023. Host Steve Levitt introduced the book as the central focus of his interview with the author, discussing its research on women's century-long journey toward equity and greedy work, and recommended it to listeners at the end of the show.

    Discussed
    “Claudia has pulled this research together into a book entitled Career and Family, Women's Century-Long Journey Towards Equity.”
    Where to get it
  24. Creative Acts for Curious People

    Sarah Stein Greenberg · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    Steve Levitt brought up Sarah Stein Greenberg's book, Creative Acts for Curious People, on the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast, specifically in the January 4, 2025, episode titled "148. How to Have Good Ideas." He recommended the book to listeners interested in boosting their creativity and problem-solving skills, noting that it walks readers through dozens of time-tested exercises used at the d.school. Levitt also cited the book to compare the optimistic, extroverted, and childlike enthusiasm found on the d.school's webpage with the attitude pervading the publication.

    Discussed
    “It was an optimistic, extroverted, childlike enthusiasm, and that was 30 years ago, and it's the exact same attitude that pervades the d.school's webpage and your book, Creative Acts for Curious People.”
    Steve Levitt 148. How to Have Good Ideas 2025-01-04
    Where to get it
  25. Deep

    James Nestor · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    James Nestor's Deep was featured on People I (Mostly) Admire in September 2024. Steve Levitt recommended the book multiple times across episodes as a fascinating read, while also previewing an upcoming interview with the author. James Nestor himself appeared on the show to discuss the two and a half years he spent researching and writing the book.

    Recommended
    “and you know what my answer is I say what you should really read is Deep by James Nester”
    Where to get it
  26. Eve

    Cat Bohannon · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    Steve Levitt brought up Eve by Cat Bohannon on People I (Mostly) Admire in February 2024. He initially previewed his upcoming interview by recommending the stunning book as an exploration of how the female body drove 200 million years of human evolution. In a subsequent episode, Steve discussed reading the work, admitting he had initial hesitations about prehistoric topics before praising the author's fresh and surprising perspective.

    Discussed
    “I did not expect to like this book I'm generally just not that interested in things that happened 200 million years ago or even 10,000 years ago I tend to be much more excited by modern events but in chapter after chapter K bannan offers such a fresh and surprising perspective that I couldn't put the book down”
    Where to get it
  27. High Price

    Carl Hart · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt mentioned Carl Hart's autobiographical book High Price. Levitt used the book to contrast Hart's background as a lab rat with his evolution into an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform.

    Discussed
    “because I read your first book which is called high price which is kind of a biography and you were the nerdiest lab rat that ever existed”
    Where to get it
  28. How to Say Goodbye

    Wendy MacNaughton · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed Wendy MacNaughton's book How to Say Goodbye. Levitt shared that he was initially approaching the book under work and deadline pressures, but ultimately found the prose and illustrations incredibly moving. He humorously noted the irony of expecting a guide on how to say goodbye, and repeatedly recommended the special book to listeners at the conclusion of his episodes.

    Discussed
    “so I'm breaking out of my fear of artist mode to talk to you today because you have created something that's incredibly beautiful and that touched me so deeply it's a book of illustrations of pros and it's called how to say goodbye”
    Where to get it
  29. Le capital au XXIe siècle

    Thomas Piketty · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Le capital au XXIe siècle by Thomas Piketty was mentioned during different segments. Steve Levitt asked a quiz question about the French economist's claims that increasing wealth inequality is a feature of capitalism, and Seth Stephens-Davidowitz referenced the book while discussing Kindle underlining statistics.

    Discussed
    “Here's another question that was absolutely easy for me, but that I'm guessing might have been hard for you: which French economist, author of Capital in the Twenty-First Century, claims that increasing wealth inequality is a feature of capitalism and suggests steeply progressive capital taxes and a cap on the possible total wealth of a person in order to get”
    Where to get it
  30. Moby Dick

    Herman Melville · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Herman Melville's Moby Dick was discussed in episodes from April 2023 and September 2024. Ken Ono recalled his mentor Basil Gordon reciting the opening of the novel and using its themes as an analogy for mathematical discovery. Additionally, Sarah Hart shared that she wrote an academic paper published in 2021 focusing on the mathematics found within Moby Dick.

    Discussed
    “He started reciting Moby Dick; the opening to Moby Dick was really striking.”
    Where to get it
  31. Nudge

    Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by host Steve Levitt and guest Richard Thaler. Levitt repeatedly recommended the book, praising its simple and obvious insights, and recalled Thaler telling him about writing the project years prior. Thaler also humorously mentioned purchasing copies of the book online.

    Discussed
    “I still remember the moment when you told me you were going to write the book Nudge”
    Where to get it
  32. Once upon a Prime

    Sarah Hart · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed Sarah Hart's book Once Upon a Prime across episodes in 2023 and 2025. Levitt praised the book for its joyful exploration of the magical overlaps between literature and mathematics, highlighting how it approaches the subject through play and cultural connection rather than strictly practical goals.

    Discussed
    “Sarah wrote a book called once upon a prize which dives into the magical overlap between literature and Mathematics”
    Where to get it
  33. Outlive

    Peter Attia, Bill Gifford · Discussed 2 episodes

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt discussed Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford. Levitt shared how reading Attia's book provided profound insights into the author's personal struggles with emotional health and childhood trauma, while Attia explained how the book addresses the limitations of traditional medicine in treating chronic diseases.

    Recommended
    “It has taken him seven years to collect and organize his insights into his first book. It's called 'Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.'”
    Where to get it
  34. Power and Progress

    Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt repeatedly recommended and discussed the book Power and Progress by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. Levitt highlighted it as one of his favorite works by Acemoglu, praising its insights into technology and prosperity. During interviews with Acemoglu, Levitt explored key themes from the book, including the historical struggle over technological gains and the foundational importance of property rights.

    Discussed
    “I want to talk about your most recent book it's co-authored with Simon Johnson and it's called power and progress came out in May of 2023”
    Where to get it
  35. Range

    David J. Epstein · Discussed 2 episodes

    David J. Epstein's book Range was discussed by host Steve Levitt on People I (Mostly) Admire, including an interview with Epstein himself. Levitt highlighted the book's exploration of generalists versus specialists, noting how societal and parental forces push individuals toward extreme specialization, and expressed his appreciation for the stories and arguments presented.

    Discussed
    “I had David Epstein on the show a couple years back he's written some great books like range and the sports Gene”
    Where to get it
  36. Sapiens

    Yuval Noah Harari · Discussed 2 episodes

    Yuval Noah Harari's bestselling book Sapiens came up in discussions on People I (Mostly) Admire, notably during Steve Levitt's interview with the author and in Levitt's farewell episode. Levitt highlighted the book's massive popularity and unusual lack of traditional characters despite its immense commercial success. The host also quoted and examined provocative statements from the text, including Harari's perspective that human life has no inherent meaning from a scientific standpoint and his characterization of the Agricultural Revolution as history's biggest fraud.

    Discussed
    “And so what was interesting as I read his amazing book, Sapiens, there is not a character in the entire book. So he violates your first rule of storytelling, like how can this book sell millions of copies when it doesn't have anything that people like?”
    Where to get it
  37. Subtract

    Leidy Klotz · Recommended 2 episodes

    Leidy Klotz's book Subtract came up on People I (Mostly) Admire when Sendhil Mullainathan recommended it as an awesome read while discussing a learning app. Host Steve Levitt later featured Klotz as a guest, admitting he initially dismissed the book as mediocre pop science before reconsidering its value. Levitt and Klotz discussed the core research on how people tend to add rather than subtract solutions.

    Discussed
    “with Steve Levitt lady summarizes his research ideas in a new book it's called subtract the untapped science of less”
    Where to get it
  38. The Better Angels of Our Nature

    Steven Pinker · Discussed 2 episodes

    On episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt and guest Dan Gilbert discussed Steven Pinker's book The Better Angels of Our Nature. Levitt and Gilbert highlighted the book's argument that violence has significantly decreased over time, and Levitt humorously recalled how a synopsis of the Old Testament within the book made him laugh.

    Discussed
    “I think a great example comes from another one of your books called the better angels of our nature which argues that violence has greatly decreased over time and that doesn't strike me as being a very funny topic”
    Where to get it
  39. The Blind Watchmaker

    Richard Dawkins · Discussed 2 episodes

    Richard Dawkins's The Blind Watchmaker was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by host Richard Dawkins and guest Richard Prum. Dawkins referenced his book to explain how he uses problem-posing to teach complex biological facts like bat echolocation, while Prum brought up the work to critique its strictly adaptationist view of biology for omitting cognitive complexity and active choice in nature.

    Discussed
    “in my third book The Blind watchmaker for example I devoted most of a chapter to bat echolocation sonar the navigation by bats using Echo”
    Where to get it
  40. The Book of Hope

    Jane Goodall, Douglas Abrams · Discussed 2 episodes

    Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams's book The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire when host Steve Levitt interviewed the renowned primatologist. Levitt referenced the book—noting it as the fifth title in Goodall's bibliography to feature the word 'hope'—to transition into a broader conversation regarding her philosophy, survival strategies during difficult eras, and her concept of optimism.

    Discussed
    “so your latest book is entitled The Book of Hope a survival guide for trying times and if I'm counting correctly it's your fifth book that has the word hope in the title”
    Where to get it
  41. The God Delusion

    Richard Dawkins · Recommended 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed Richard Dawkins's book The God Delusion across episodes in July and August 2024. Levitt referenced the book while introducing and interviewing Dawkins, examining the author's arguments against religion and the public reactions they provoked.

    Discussed
    “this is in some sense a leading to talking to you and the reactions you've gotten when you've argued against religion in books like The God Delusion you have this enormous amount of research and you've done around natural selection”
    Where to get it
  42. The Luminaries

    Eleanor Catton; Celia Montolío; Mark Meadows · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, guest Sarah Hart brought up Eleanor Catton's novel The Luminaries in episodes from 2023 and 2025. Hart discussed the book to illustrate the intersection of literature and mathematics, explaining how the 2013 Booker Prize-winning novel employs an underlying mathematical structure where each chapter is precisely half the length of the preceding one.

    Discussed
    “there's a book called The Luminaries by Elena Katen won the book of prize in 2013 and that book has a mathematical structure underneath it which is that every chapter is half the length of the one before”
    Where to get it
  43. The Power of Habit

    Charles Duhigg · Recommended 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt praised Charles Duhigg as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the bestselling author of The Power of Habit. Levitt later shifted the conversation with Duhigg to reflect on the remarkable success of that 2012 book.

    Discussed
    “like your first book The Power of Habit that came out back in 2012 and my God it was an unbelievable success”
    Where to get it
  44. The Premonition

    Michael Lewis · Discussed 2 episodes

    Michael Lewis's book The Premonition was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by host Steve Levitt and guest Charity Dean. The conversations focused on Dean's prominent role in the book as a public servant navigating the COVID-19 crisis, examining the pandemic response strategies and leadership decisions detailed in the work.

    Discussed
    “I want to move this conversation from the past to the present because Michael's most recent book it's called the premonition”
    Where to get it
  45. The Theory of Moral Sentiments

    Adam Smith · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Peter Singer and Steve Levitt discussed Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments to contrast it with his more famous work, The Wealth of Nations, noting that the former lays out Smith's foundational moral theories.

    Discussed
    “You're referring to the Adam Smith of The Wealth of Nations but there's also the Adam Smith of the theory of moral sentiments and I think that the distinction between the two is that in the theory of moral sentiments Smith is lying at a moral theory”
    Where to get it
  46. The undoing project

    Michael Lewis; Dennis Boutsikaris; Michael Lewis · Discussed 2 episodes

    Steve Levitt discussed Michael Lewis's book The Undoing Project on People I (Mostly) Admire. Levitt brought up the 2016 book to ask Daniel Kahneman about his feelings regarding its intimate and personal portrayal of his collaboration with Amos Tversky.

    Discussed
    “and also to ask Danny how he felt about Michael Lewis's book The undoing project which tells the story of K and T's partnership in a very intimate and personal way”
    Where to get it
  47. The Voltage Effect

    John A. List · Discussed 2 episodes

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Reginald Dwayne Betts brought up John A. List's book The Voltage Effect when discussing the concept of scale, noting that one of the host's colleagues had written it. Steve Levitt and John List also discussed the book in a separate episode, contrasting it with List's earlier 2013 book The Y-Axis. John List explained that The Y-Axis showcased his early field experiments, whereas The Voltage Effect represented the later stage of his academic career.

    Discussed
    “I think one of your colleagues wrote voltage effect”
    Where to get it
  48. Through the Looking-Glass

    Lewis Carroll, Lewis Carroll, Lily Mathew, Lewis Lewis Carroll · Discussed 2 episodes

    Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire. Steve Levitt and guest Sarah Hart talked about the sequel to Alice in Wonderland, noting how Lewis Carroll structured the entire narrative around a genuine game of chess.

    Discussed
    “Through the Looking Glass the sequel is based on chess and he actually said you could play that book as a genuine game of chess”
    Where to get it
  49. Unforgiving Places

    Jens Ludwig · Recommended 2 episodes

    Unforgiving Places by Jens Ludwig was featured on People I (Mostly) Admire. Steve Levitt recommended the book to listeners and used it to discuss differing political assumptions about the causes of crime, while Morgan Levy later referenced Ludwig's work on innovative solutions to American gun violence in response to a listener question.

    Discussed
    “We had a recent episode with Yens Ludwig, who runs the crime lab at the University of Chicago, and he wrote a book called Unforgiving Places, which explores some innovative solutions to America's gun problem.”
    Where to get it
  50. What Is It Like to Be an Addict?

    Owen Flanagan · Recommended 2 episodes

    Owen Flanagan's book What Is It Like to Be an Addict? was featured on People I (Mostly) Admire in early 2025. Steve Levitt promoted and described the work as a fascinating combination of highly personal memoir and cutting-edge scientific thinking on addiction. Morgan Levy later mentioned the book during a post-interview discussion with Levitt, noting that it was based on research while also functioning as part memoir.

    Discussed
    “in our last new new episode we interviewed psychologist and neurobiologist Owen Flanigan who recently wrote a book on addiction it's based on research but also is part Memoir”
    Where to get it
  51. Why Nations Fail

    Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson · Highly recommended 2 episodes

    Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson was discussed and recommended on People I (Mostly) Admire in 2024. Host Steve Levitt featured the book during episodes with Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu, reflecting on its deep insights into human history, property rights, and institutions. Levitt consistently recommended the work to listeners interested in exploring Acemoglu's broader economic and political philosophy.

    Discussed
    “so back in 2012 you and James Robinson published a book called why Nations fail the origins of power prosperity and poverty”
    Where to get it
  52. 10 to 25

    David Yeager · Recommended 1 episode

    David Yeager's book 10 to 25 was featured on People I (Mostly) Admire, where host Steve Levitt strongly recommended it. Levitt stated that the book fundamentally transformed how he communicates with young people, influences his parenting, and became mandatory reading for a high school he helped launch, while also questioning the author about the specific age range targeted in the work.

    Discussed
    “So, your book is entitled 10 to 25, the science of motivating young people.”
    Where to get it
  53. A Beginner's Guide to the End

    BJ Miller; Shoshana Berger · Recommended 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt discussed A Beginner's Guide to the End by BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger. Levitt compared the practical guide on preparing for death to parenting books like What to Expect When You're Expecting and recommended it at the end of the episode.

    Discussed
    “you've co-authored a book called a beginner's guide to the end and the best way I can summarize it is that it's like What to Expect When You're Expecting except for dying instead of giving birth”
    Where to get it
  54. A General History of the Pyrates

    Captain Charles Johnson; Daniel Defoe; Nathaniel Mist; Woodes Rogers; John Atkins; Philip Gosse · Discussed 1 episode

    Peter Leeson appeared on the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast on January 23, 2023, in the episode Peter Leeson on Why Trial-by-Fire Wasn’t Barbaric and Why Pirates Were Democratic. During the discussion, he referenced A General History of the Pyrates. Leeson explained that early eighteenth-century pirates published their sophisticated systems of governance in these volumes, which functioned as major bestsellers of their time and could have been read by founding figures like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

    Discussed
    “pirate system of governance was laid out in a published series of volumes called a general history of the Pirates in the early 18th century this book was like a bestseller in its time this wasn't some obscure book and so it is totally conceivable that Madison for example or Jefferson both of whom were voracious readers and had enormous”
    Where to get it
  55. A Gentleman in Moscow

    Amor Towles · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Reginald Dwayne Betts mentioned Amor Towles's novel A Gentleman in Moscow when discussing the reading materials available in prison libraries.

    Discussed
    “so if you get hooked on the Russians you could find the resources like they go dostevsky they go check off they go a gentleman in Moscow which is a very new book to set in Russia”
    Where to get it
  56. Africa's turn?

    Edward Miguel · Discussed 1 episode

    During an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt spoke with guest Edward Miguel about his 2009 book Africa's Turn?. Levitt brought up the work to revisit Miguel's past optimism regarding economic growth and the future outlook of the African continent.

    Discussed
    “so I do know in 2009 you wrote a book and you were very optimistic about Africa's future and it was called Africa's turn”
    Where to get it
  57. Alcoholics Anonymous

    Alcoholics Anonymous · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Owen Flanagan referenced the publication of Alcoholics Anonymous by Alcoholics Anonymous. He shared a personal anecdote about his father working as an accountant for the organization, noting how the 1939 publication unexpectedly became a bestseller for the nonprofit.

    Discussed
    “in 19 39 when Alcoholics Anonymous published the big books of Alcoholics Anonymous they realized oh my God our book is a bestseller and we're a nonprofit”
    Where to get it
  58. Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book

    Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; Alcoholics Anonymous · Discussed 1 episode

    During an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire in February 2025, Owen Flanagan referenced the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book while speaking with host Dan Ariely. Flanagan discussed early historical perspectives on addiction, citing a preface by Dr. Silkworth in the text that characterized addiction as an allergy.

    Discussed
    “for example in the what they call the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous there's a preface by Dr silkworth in which he says that his view is that addiction is an allergy”
    Where to get it
  59. All the King's Men

    Robert Penn Warren · Discussed 1 episode

    In the June 2024 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled John Green’s Reluctant Rocket Ship Ride, guest John Green brought up Robert Penn Warren's work by quoting a memorable line during the conversation.

    Discussed
    “there's that great Robert pen Warren line the end of man is knowledge”
    Where to get it
  60. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

    Hank Green · Discussed 1 episode

    Hank Green's An Absolutely Remarkable Thing was mentioned on People I (Mostly) Admire by Steve Levitt. Levitt shared that he picked up the book and became completely enthralled by it, finishing the entire novel in just two days after reading the first twenty pages.

    Discussed
    “it's called an absolutely remarkable thing last week and 20 Pages turned into me getting totally enthrall by it and reading the whole thing in two days”
    Where to get it
  61. An Inconvenient Truth

    Al Gore · Discussed 1 episode

    On the People I (Mostly) Admire episode titled Solar Geoengineering Would Be Radical. It Might Also Be Necessary, broadcast on January 6, 2023, Steve Levitt brought up Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. Levitt referenced the moving documentary and book to discuss how climate change messaging historically placed responsibility squarely on consumers.

    Discussed
    “so if I think about Al Gore's moving Inconvenient Truth a lot of that was pointing at consumers and how consumers needed to do something different”
    Where to get it
  62. Animal species and evolution

    Ernst Mayr · Discussed 1 episode

    In the February 4, 2023 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled "Searching for Our Aquatic Ancestors," guest Neil Shubin recalled an encounter with evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr. Shubin described Mayr as a towering figure in the field and an architect of modern evolutionary synthesis. He recounted running into Mayr in a hallway while holding "Animal Species and Evolution," an 800-page tome by Mayr detailing how new species form, which Shubin noted was highly influential in the discipline.

    Discussed
    “and ran into him once in the hallway and I was reading his great Tome animal species and evolution which is an 800 page book on how new species form which was very influential in the field and he looked at me and said hey you like it but you were literally carrying his book”
    Where to get it
  63. Atheism is Winning!

    Anonymous · Discussed 1 episode

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled 151. Neurobiologist, Philosopher, and Addict on February 15, 2025, Owen mentioned the 1939 publication of the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous, discussing how the organization realized their book had become a bestseller while operating as a nonprofit.

    Discussed
    “in 19 39 when Alcoholics Anonymous published the big books of Alcoholics Anonymous they realized oh my God our book is a bestseller and we're a nonprofit”
    Where to get it
  64. Be Useful

    Arnold Schwarzenegger · Discussed 1 episode

    People I (Mostly) Admire featured Arnold Schwarzenegger's book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life during a 2024 interview. Host Steve Levitt held up the physical book and walked through several specific rules and chapters, including never thinking small and shutting one's mouth to open the mind. Levitt quoted striking lines from the text, such as Schwarzenegger's reflection on his action movie career, to discuss the book's tone and advice.

    Discussed
    “so you've got a new book out it's called be useful seven tools for life”
    Where to get it
  65. Behave

    Robert M. Sapolsky · Recommended 1 episode

    During an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed Robert M. Sapolsky's book Behave with the author. Levitt praised the work as the most thorough, thoughtful, and enlightening scientific book he had ever read regarding the complex roots of human violence, highlighting its comprehensive approach to the subject.

    Discussed
    “so he wrote a book called behave and I would say it's the most thorough and thoughtful enlightening scientific book I've ever read about violence”
    Where to get it
  66. Big Bets

    Rajiv Shah · Discussed 1 episode

    On the March 16, 2024 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled 127. Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis, host Steve Levitt introduced the guest's book at the beginning of the program. Levitt discussed Big Bets: How Large Scale Change Really Happens by Rajiv Shah, noting that the text recounts Shah's experiences working on major projects, highlighting both the valuable lessons he learned and the mistakes he made along the way.

    Discussed
    “his new book called Big bets how large scale change really happens recounts experiences on these projects both the lessons he's learned and the mistakes he made”
    Where to get it
  67. Black Boy

    Richard Wright · Discussed 1 episode

    Reginald Dwayne Betts mentioned Richard Wright's Black Boy on an August 2023 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire. He brought up the three-hundred-page book while discussing solo stage shows that have been adapted from literature.

    Discussed
    “so we got black boy and that's a 300 page book”
    Where to get it
  68. Black Holes

    Brian Cox; Jeff Forshaw · Recommended 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw's book Black Holes: The Key to Understanding the Universe. Levitt brought up the recent publication at the beginning of the interview and returned to it toward the conclusion of the episode while talking about black holes.

    Discussed
    “Your most recent book is on black holes. We're talking about black holes.”
    Where to get it
  69. Blue Machine

    Helen Czerski · Highly recommended 1 episode

    Steve Levitt discussed Helen Czerski's book 'The Blue Machine' on the podcast People I (Mostly) Admire. During the episode, Levitt expressed his initial skepticism upon learning that a book about the physics of the ocean was being written, but ultimately engaged in a conversation with the author about its contents. In the outro, he formally recommended the book to the audience, noting that listeners who enjoyed the interview would likely appreciate reading her work.

    Discussed
    “so a lot of what we're talking about is coming from your new book it's called the Blue machine and I have to say when I heard that you were going to write a book about the physics of the ocean I was skeptical”
    Where to get it
  70. Brave New Words

    Salman Khan · Recommended 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt recommended Salman Khan's Brave New Words during the episode "133. Pay Attention! (Your Body Will Thank You) | People I (Mostly) Admire" on June 12, 2024. Levitt shared an update about the author's new work detailing how artificial intelligence will revolutionize education and praised it as a fantastic book that profoundly shaped his thinking.

    Recommended
    “we also have an update from s KH of Khan Academy them who's been on the show a few times in the past he has a new book out it's called Brave new words how AI will revolutionize education and why that's a good thing”
    Where to get it
  71. Bright-sided

    Barbara Ehrenreich · Discussed 1 episode

    Barbara Ehrenreich's book Bright-sided came up on People I (Mostly) Admire during a replay episode featuring Suleika Jaouad. Jaouad discussed Ehrenreich's work while talking about toxic positivity and the cultural pressure to remain positive.

    Discussed
    “Maybe the most insidious one was stay positive, which is a byproduct of our culture of toxic positivity that Barbara Aaron Reich has written so beautifully about this idea that if you allow any bit of quote unquote negativity in, you'll somehow make your cancer worse.”
    Where to get it
  72. Business Efficiency For Dummies

    Marina Martin · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, in the January 23, 2023 episode featuring Marina Nitze, the guest discussed Business Efficiency For Dummies by Marina Martin. Marina Nitze explained how she came to write the book, recounting that at the time, if someone searched for a business efficiency consultant on Google, she was the sole search result. That visibility directly led to an offer for her to write the book.

    Discussed
    “and at the time if you Google Business efficiency consultant I was like the only search result which led to me being offered to write business efficiency for dummies”
    Where to get it
  73. Capital in the Twenty-First Century

    Thomas Piketty · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire in January 2023, Steve Levitt brought up Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty while reading a trivia question. Victoria Gross responded that she had heard about the French economist's book frequently and planned to read it.

    Discussed
    “which French Economist author of Capital in the 21st century claims that increasing wealth inequality is a feature of capitalism and suggests steeply Progressive Capital taxes and a cap on the possible total wealth of a person in order to get the capital distribution back to a normal level”
    Where to get it
  74. Cent mille milliards de poèmes

    Raymond Queneau · Discussed 1 episode

    Cent mille milliards de poèmes by Raymond Queneau was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire in the update episode Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears. Guest Sarah Hart mentioned Queneau's combinatorial poetry book to explain mathematical concepts like combinatorial explosion and poetic constraints.

    Discussed
    “but when I talk about sonnets in the book actually the reason I talk about them is because of this French poet raymon Canó who wrote a little book called s the poem which is like a 100,000 billion poems”
    Where to get it
  75. Collapse

    Jared M. Diamond · Discussed 1 episode

    On the podcast People I (Mostly) Admire, in the episode Jared Diamond on the Downfall of Civilizations — and His Optimism for Ours | Epi from 2023-01-04, host Steve Levitt discussed Jared M. Diamond's book Collapse. Levitt expressed his fondness for the book, highlighting a specific passage about the Norse settlement in Greenland and noting how remarkable and preposterous the settlers' mistakes were.

    Discussed
    “I think I've read all your books and my single favorite passage is when you write about the Norse Greenland settlement and I found that part of your book it was in collapse so remarkable”
    Where to get it
  76. Contact

    Carl Sagan · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt and guest Jill Tarter discussed Carl Sagan's novel Contact. Levitt brought up the book to note that its heroine was modeled after Tarter, and Tarter recalled sharing a scientific report with Sagan prior to the book's publication that inspired her fictional counterpart.

    Discussed
    “so back in the 1970s the famous the son where Carl Sagan wrote a novel called Contact in which the heroine was essentially a fictionalized version of you”
    Where to get it
  77. Cooking for Geeks

    Jeff Potter, Jeff Potter · Discussed 1 episode

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt spoke with guest Nathan Myhrvold about his extensive background and culinary projects. Levitt brought up Myhrvold's massive and unconventional cookbook, jokingly confessing his initial struggle with carrying the heavy volume home after it was delivered to his office. The conversation highlighted the sheer scale and uniqueness of the cookbook, framing it as an extraordinary achievement in culinary literature discussed during the interview.

    Discussed
    “Please, I couldn't have a conversation with you without talking about cooking because you've written probably the craziest, in a good way, cookbook of all time. I actually have to make a confession; I picked up your book, and it was delivered to my office, and the only time I've ever hated you, Nathan, was when I decided that I”
    Where to get it
  78. Crepúsculo Del Mundo / the Twilight World

    Werner Herzog · Discussed 1 episode

    During the December 9, 2023 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled '120. Werner Herzog Thinks His Films Are a Distraction', host Steve Levitt brought up Werner Herzog's book Crepúsculo Del Mundo / the Twilight World. Levitt used the book to prompt a discussion with Herzog about the story of Hiroo Onoda.

    Discussed
    “it's called the Twilight world and it tells this story of hero onada could you talk a bit about his story”
    Where to get it
  79. Cribsheet

    Emily Oster · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt brought up Emily Oster's second child-rearing book, Cribsheet. Levitt noted that while the book shared the same spirit as her previous work, Expecting Better, it was harder to write because the data surrounding child-rearing are not as extensive or conclusive as the data on pregnancy.

    Discussed
    “so creep cheat which is your second book about child ring is very much in the same Spirit as expecting better but in many ways I think harder to write because the data are not nearly as extensive or as conclusive on child during as they are on pregnancy”
    Where to get it
  80. Cuckoo

    Nick Davies · Recommended 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Richard Dawkins strongly recommended Nick Davies's book Cuckoo while discussing the behavior and evolution of cuckoo birds.

    Recommended
    “by the way I'm deriving this mostly from the work of Nick Davis of Cambridge University whose book called cucko I strongly recommend it”
    Where to get it
  81. Daring Young Men

    Richard Reeves · Discussed 1 episode

    On the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast episode titled 143. Why Are Boys and Men in Trouble?, released on October 26, 2024, Steve Levitt and Richard Reeves discussed Reeves's book Daring Young Men. The conversation touched upon the book being selected by President Barack Obama for his summer reading list.

    Discussed
    “so your book of boys and men was chosen by President Obama to be on his summer reading list always was that Lake well the honest answer is I was thought where were you last last year President Obama um because the book came out in 2022 but it made it to his list in 2024”
    Where to get it
  82. De ansatte

    Olga Ravn · Discussed 1 episode

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled What It Takes to Know Everything, released on January 10, 2023, the host discussed Olga Ravn and her novel The Employees. During the episode, the conversation touched upon Ravn being recognized as a finalist for the International Booker Prize for her work. The mention highlighted the Danish author and her acclaimed novel within the context of the podcast's broader discussion.

    Discussed
    “Oh okay, there was a group of people, mostly people who finished in the top 10 to 20, who did a little crowdsourced spreadsheet to see who got which of all the questions on the test, and for that sample I think a majority of the questions had 10 or 11 of us getting it correct, but the two that”
    Where to get it
  83. Dead aid

    Dambisa Moyo · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt brought up Dambisa Moyo's book Dead Aid, discussing the negative reaction it received from Bill Gates, while Dambisa Moyo herself mentioned the 2009 release when explaining her views on foreign aid.

    Discussed
    “Bill Gates vehemently disagreed when her book Dead Aid came out laying out her arguments on the topic. Gates described the book as promoting evil”
    Where to get it
  84. Disappearing Earth

    Julia Phillips · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, guest Suzanne Gluck discussed her work as a literary agent and her clients who were nominated for National Book Awards. Gluck mentioned Julia Phillips and her fiction work, 'Disappearing Earth,' sharing her excitement about having her client recognized alongside other nominated authors at the event.

    Discussed
    “as was my other client Julia Phillips who wrote disappearing Earth which she was up for fiction”
    Where to get it
  85. Dominion

    Tom Holland · Discussed 1 episode

    In the episode "158. Why Did Rome Fall — and Are We Next?" of People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt discussed the book Dominion by Tom Holland. Levitt summarized the author's thesis, noting that the book attributes a surprising amount of credit to Christianity for shaping modern societal values such as human rights and compassion.

    Discussed
    “So, you've written a book called Dominion, which if I took away the right message, gives Christianity a surprising amount of credit for much of what is good about modern society, values like human rights and compassion, the sanctity of life.”
    Where to get it
  86. Don't Trust Your Gut

    Seth Stephens-Davidowitz · Discussed 1 episode

    Seth Stephens-Davidowitz appeared as a guest on People I (Mostly) Admire in episode #75 to talk about data and self-help. During the conversation, he discussed the process of sending out review copies of his book 'Don't Trust Your Gut' and fielding requests from writers for a nerdy makeover.

    Discussed
    “I sent the book out to a bunch of people and a couple of the writers have been like I want to write about your book but could you do a nerdy makeover for me”
    Where to get it
  87. Dr. Spock On Parenting

    Benjamin Spock · Discussed 1 episode

    Benjamin Spock's Dr. Spock On Parenting was mentioned on People I (Mostly) Admire by Jane Goodall. Goodall recalled that Spock's parenting books were very popular during her youth and noted that she raised her son using a combination of her mother's guidance and Dr. Spock's advice.

    Discussed
    “well at that time invogue was do you remember Dr Spock sure read the books about parenting and my own mother was a wonderful example of good parenting so my son was raised on a mixture of Mom's parenting Dr Spock's advice”
    Where to get it
  88. Dream hoarders

    Richard V. Reeves · Discussed 1 episode

    On the People I (Mostly) Admire episode 143. Why Are Boys and Men in Trouble?, Steve Levitt brought up Richard V. Reeves's book Dream Hoarders to discuss how the upper middle class moves away from the rest of society.

    Discussed
    “great example would be the book you wr before which is called dream hoarders which is about how the upper middle class is moving away from the rest of society”
    Where to get it
  89. Economic Gangsters

    Raymond Fisman, Edward Miguel · Highly recommended 1 episode

    On the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast, host Steve Levitt recommended the book Economic Gangsters, co-authored by Edward Miguel and Ray Fisman. In the episode titled Edward Miguel on Collecting Economic Data by Canoe and Correlating Conflict with, Levitt noted that he provided a blurb for the front cover of the hardcover edition. He encouraged listeners to check out the book if they enjoyed Miguel's appearance on the show.

    Recommended
    “if you like what you heard from Ted Miguel today check out his book it's called economic gangsters and it's co-authored with another one of my favorite economists Ray fitzman if you buy the hardcover version you see my blurb right on the front and it perfectly captures my opinion of the book it reads rarely has a book on”
    Where to get it
  90. Economics, an introductory analysis

    Paul Anthony Samuelson, Nordhaus, William D., William D. Nordhaus · Discussed 1 episode

    In the January 18, 2023 episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled The Price of Doing Business With John List, guest John List brought up the textbook Economics, an Introductory Analysis by Paul Samuelson and William Nordhaus. List mentioned that it was the first economics book he used back in 1985, citing it during a broader discussion highlighting a perceived lack of genuine experimentation among economists.

    Discussed
    “The first book I used was in 1985. It was by Samuelson and Nordhaus.”
    Where to get it
  91. Essays in positive economics

    Milton Friedman · Discussed 1 episode

    During an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire released in January 2023, guest John List discussed the academic contributions of Milton Friedman. List specifically referenced Friedman's 1953 work Essays in Positive Economics, noting Friedman's argument that economists must rely on evidence generated by naturally occurring experiments.

    Discussed
    “when you look at Friedman's work on say 53 positive economics book he says economists must rely on evidence cast by the experiments that happen to occur”
    Where to get it
  92. Every Man for Himself and God Against All

    Werner Herzog · Discussed 1 episode

    Steve Levitt discussed Every Man for Himself and God Against All on People I (Mostly) Admire. He explored Werner Herzog's recent memoir, highlighting how the filmmaker shared his remarkable life story and distinctive perspective.

    Discussed
    “reading his recent Memoir entitled every man for himself and God against all one can't help but think that fer Herzog himself isn't so different”
    Where to get it
  93. Everything Is Tuberculosis

    John Green · Recommended 1 episode

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled 157. The Deadliest Disease in Human History released on May 10, 2025, host Steve Levitt discussed John Green's book Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection. Levitt recommended the work to listeners and noted how a previous conversation with Green directly influenced the author's decision to halt another novel and focus instead on writing this history of tuberculosis.

    Discussed
    “In the past, John said that discussion influenced his decision to stop writing the novel he was working on and instead devote himself to writing his new book, Everything is Tuberculosis.”
    Where to get it
  94. Excellent Advice for Living

    Kevin Kelly · Discussed 1 episode

    On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire released in June 2023, host Steve Levitt spoke with Kevin Kelly about his life and work. During their conversation, Levitt specifically brought up and discussed Kelly's book Excellent Advice for Living, exploring its collection of practical wisdom and life lessons.

    Discussed
    “it's called excellent advice for living”
    Where to get it
  95. Expecting better

    Emily Oster · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt discussed Expecting Better by Emily Oster in an episode released on January 10, 2023. Levitt interviewed Oster about her transition from academia into public-facing writing, noting that many considered it career suicide for an economist to write a non-academic book about pregnancy.

    Discussed
    “and that you decided to write a book for a non-academic audience on pregnancy even though you're an economist and that book of course was called expecting better did you not think that was career suicide”
    Where to get it
  96. Extended Mind

    Annie Murphy Paul · Recommended 1 episode

    Annie Murphy Paul's The Extended Mind was discussed on People I (Mostly) Admire by Caroline Paul. Caroline Paul shared her reading experience, highlighting how the book explores the concept of awe and how it can be easily triggered by nature.

    Discussed
    “I did read Annie Murphy Paul the extended mind and she talks about awe in there”
    Where to get it
  97. Extraterrestrial

    Avi Loeb · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt brought up Avi Loeb's Extraterrestrial to contrast the measured and scientific tone of the book with the guest's current communication style.

    Discussed
    “your last two books extraterrestrial and Interstellar and what's interesting is the tone of those books are very different than your tone now”
    Where to get it
  98. Fair Doses

    Seth Berkley · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, host Steve Levitt brought up Seth Berkley's book Fair Doses to discuss public health interventions and vaccines that prevent outbreaks. Levitt referenced stories from Berkley's early career as an epidemiologist as described in the text.

    Discussed
    “Now, one of the things I didn't even think about until I read your excellent book, Fair Doses, is that many vaccines are there to prevent outbreak.”
    Where to get it
  99. Famine, affluence, and morality

    Peter Singer · Discussed 1 episode

    On People I (Mostly) Admire, Peter Singer mentioned his 1972 publication Famine, Affluence, and Morality. Singer brought up the early article to illustrate his foundational views on moral responsibility and ethics.

    Discussed
    “and my illustration of this comes from an early article that I published in 1972 called famine affluence and morality”
    Where to get it
  100. Fighting fire

    Caroline Paul · Discussed 1 episode

    In episode 131 of People I (Mostly) Admire titled Getting Old, Adventurously, Steve Levitt discussed the memoir Fighting Fire with its author, Caroline Paul. Levitt brought up the book to talk about Paul's years as a firefighter and asked her to share her personal favorite story from the powerful accounts detailed in her experiences within the fire department.

    Discussed
    “so you wrote A Memoir about your years as a firefighter called fighting fire and you tell one incredibly powerful story after another about your experiences do you have your own personal favorite story from that book”
    Where to get it

Guests who recommended books

Latest mentions

Discussed Freakonomics
“Freakonomics has actually been a book that I really enjoyed because it is saturated.”
Discussed Scarcity
“But in this week's episode, I pick up in the middle of our conversation with me telling Sendil about my first reaction to hearing that he had written a book entitled Scarcity.”
Discussed Life Undercover
“So I absolutely loved your book.”
Discussed Sapiens
“And so what was interesting as I read his amazing book, Sapiens, there is not a character in the entire book. So he violates your first rule of storytelling, like how can this book sell millions of copies when it doesn't have anything that people like?”
Discussed Noise
“Conorman talked about his book noise which is the variability in human judgment. And I took Conorman's concept of a noise audit which is measuring the aggregate variability in a group and use this to evaluate how school police officers assess threats of violence at K through2 schools.”
Recommended The Fifth Wave
“If you'd like to learn more about Michael Crow's vision of the future of higher education, check out his book, The Fifth Wave, The Evolution of American Higher Education.”
Steve Levitt 172. A New Kind of University 2025-12-06
Discussed Bright-sided
“Maybe the most insidious one was stay positive, which is a byproduct of our culture of toxic positivity that Barbara Aaron Reich has written so beautifully about this idea that if you allow any bit of quote unquote negativity in, you'll somehow make your cancer worse.”
Discussed Between Two Kingdoms
“I'm not generally an emotional or an empathetic person, but I cried over and over reading your book between two kingdoms.”
Discussed The Fault in Our Stars
“Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? It's John Green's book about two young people, I think, with cancer who are dying, who fall in love. It's one of my favorite books. I love John Green. I had him on the show. He was amazing.”
Discussed Finnegans Wake
“And the very famous quote from Finnegan's Wake called three quarks for muster mark or something like that. It was because he thought there were three of them at the time and that explained the pattern we saw in the particles we were producing at particle accelerators.”
Discussed Black Holes
“Your most recent book is on black holes. We're talking about black holes.”
Discussed A Brief History of Time
“I think like many people my first real introduction to black holes was Stephen Hawkings book a brief history of time and I think that book must have come out in the 1980s and it sold millions and millions of copies probably one of the bestselling science books of all time.”
Discussed Out of the Mist
“So we made the album, an album called Out of the Silence, which I still like by the way. I think it's a really good late 80s kind of soft rock album.”
Recommended The Ark Before Noah
“If you'd like to learn more about the ark story, Irving's book is called The Ark Before Noah: Decoding the Story of the Flood.”
Discussed Enlightenment Now
“Five years ago, we talked a lot about his book entitled Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.”
Discussed When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...
“So, you got a new book out and it's called When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows.”
Discussed Fair Doses
“Now, one of the things I didn't even think about until I read your excellent book, Fair Doses, is that many vaccines are there to prevent outbreak.”
Discussed Human Nature
“She's got a new book. It's called Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet.”
Recommended Speak, Memorably
“When I heard he had a new book out called Speak Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, I knew I had to get him on this show to share his insights with you, the listeners.”
Discussed 10 to 25
“So, your book is entitled 10 to 25, the science of motivating young people.”

Episodes

EpisodeDateBooks
How a Great Architect Thinks, with Bjarke Ingels | Better in Person2026-09-231
38. Sendhil Mullainathan Explains How to Generate an Idea a Minute (Part 2)2026-09-053
24. Are We Under Threat from a New Kind of Terror? (Replay Ep. 24)2026-05-301
173. Steve Levitt Says Goodbye to People I (Mostly) Admire2025-12-202
172. A New Kind of University2025-12-061
Suleika Jaouad’s Survival Mechanisms (Replay)2025-11-155
170. Finding the God Particle2025-11-085
169. Decoding the World’s First Writing2025-10-251
167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge.2025-09-272
166. The World’s Most Effective Public Health Intervention Is Under Attack2025-09-132
162. Will We Solve the Climate Problem?2025-07-192
161. How to Captivate an Audience2025-07-059
160. How to Help Kids Succeed2025-06-212
159. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Manifesto for a Gift Economy2025-06-074
158. Why Did Rome Fall — and Are We Next?2025-05-248
157. The Deadliest Disease in Human History2025-05-103
156. A Solution to America’s Gun Problem2025-04-264
155. Helping People Die2025-04-121
Yul Kwon: “Don't Try to Change Yourself All at Once.” (Update)2025-04-051
154. Can Robots Get a Grip?2025-03-291
153. We’re Not Getting Sicker — We’re Overdiagnosed2025-03-155
152. Hunting for the Origins of Life2025-03-013
151. Neurobiologist, Philosopher, and Addict2025-02-156
Jane Goodall Changed the Way We See Animals. She’s Not Done. (Replay)2025-02-084
150. His Brilliant Videos Get Millions of Views. Why Don’t They Make Money?2025-02-012
149. Stanford’s President Knows He Can’t Make Everyone Happy2025-01-181
Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears (Update)2025-01-119
148. How to Have Good Ideas2025-01-042
147. Is Your Gut a Second Brain?2024-12-215
146. Is There a Fair Way to Divide Us?2024-12-070
145. Neil deGrasse Tyson Is Still Starstruck2024-11-233
Pete Docter: “What If Monsters Really Do Exist?” (Update)2024-11-160
144. Feeling Sound and Hearing Color2024-11-094
143. Why Are Boys and Men in Trouble?2024-10-269
Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu on Economics, Politics, and Power (Replay)2024-10-1912
142. What’s Impacting American Workers?2024-10-121
141. The Language of the Universe2024-09-282
Drawing from Life (and Death) (Update)2024-09-212
140. How to Breathe Better2024-09-146
139. How PETA Made Radical Ideas Mainstream2024-08-313
138. Chris Anderson on the Power of TED2024-08-173
137. Richard Dawkins on God, Genes, and Murderous Baby Cuckoos2024-08-0312
136. The World’s Most Controversial Ornithologist2024-07-209
134. Why Do We Still Teach People to Calculate?2024-06-221
133. Pay Attention! (Your Body Will Thank You) | People I (Mostly) Admire2024-06-121
132. Suleika Jaouad’s Survival Mechanisms2024-05-2511
131. Getting Old, Adventurously2024-05-1113
What It’s Like to Be Steve Levitt’s Daughters (Update)2024-05-041
130. Is Our Concept of Freedom All Wrong?2024-04-274
129. How to Fix Medical Research2024-04-133
EXTRA: Remembering Daniel Kahneman2024-04-069
49. Mathematician Sarah Hart on Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears | People I (Mostly) Admire2024-04-042
128. Are Our Tools Becoming Part of Us?2024-03-301
127. Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis2024-03-161
126. How to Have Great Conversations2024-03-028
125. Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever?2024-02-172
124. Daron Acemoglu on Economics, Politics, and Power2024-02-0317
123. Walt Hickey Wants to Track Your Eyeballs2024-01-204
122. Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Some Advice for You2024-01-066
121. Exploring Physics, from Eggshells to Oceans | People I (Mostly) Admire2023-12-288
120. Werner Herzog Thinks His Films Are a Distraction2023-12-098
119. Higher Education Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?2023-11-252
118. “My God, This Is a Transformative Power”2023-11-113
117. Nate Silver Says We're Bad at Making Predictions2023-10-284
116. Abraham Verghese Thinks Medicine Can Do Better2023-10-148
EXTRA: Nobel Laureate Claudia Goldin on "Greedy Work" and the Wage Gap2023-10-093
115. The Future of Therapy Is Psychedelic2023-09-302
114. Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Life?2023-09-168
Avi Loeb: Do We Have Evidence of Alien Life? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1132023-09-053
112. Reading Dostoevsky Behind Bars2023-08-1917
Wendy MacNaughton: Drawing From Life (and Death) | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1102023-08-119
Can a Moonshot Approach to Mental Health Work? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1112023-08-081
Peter Singer Isn’t a Saint, But He’s Better Than Steve Levitt | People I (Mostly) Admire | Ep 902023-07-218
109. David Simon Is On Strike. Here’s Why.2023-07-081
108. Ninety-Eight Years of Economic Wisdom2023-06-240
107. Bringing Data to Life2023-06-103
FULL VIDEO | Kevin Kelly: Will A.I. Make Us Smarter? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1062023-06-072
104. The Joy of Math With Sarah Hart2023-04-298
Steven Pinker: “I Manage My Controversy Portfolio Carefully” | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 12023-04-213
Rick Rubin on How to Make Something Great | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1032023-04-1812
John Green's Reluctant Rocket Ship Ride | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 922023-04-0627
Peter Attia: Adding 10 Healthy Years to Your Life | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 1022023-04-0311
101. Celebrating 100 People I (Mostly) Admire2023-03-185
100. Chicago’s Renegade Sheriff Wants to Fix Law Enforcement2023-03-040
Andrew Yang Is Not Giving Up on Politics — or the U.S. — Yet | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 542023-02-162
98. Searching for Our Aquatic Ancestors2023-02-045
“No One Can Resist a Jolly, Happy Pig.” | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 682023-01-237
Why Is Richard Thaler Such a ****ing Optimist? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 582023-01-239
Edward Miguel on Collecting Economic Data by Canoe and Correlating Conflict with Rainfall | Ep 502023-01-233
Leidy Klotz on Why the Best Solutions Involve Less— Not More | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 452023-01-238
Edward Glaeser Explains Why Some Cities Thrive While Others Fade Away| People I (Mostly) Admire | 442023-01-237
Sendhil Mullainathan Explains How to Generate an Idea a Minute | People I (Mostly) Admire | Ep 382023-01-235
David Epstein Knows Something About Almost Everything | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 352023-01-2312
Angela Duckworth Explains How to Manage Your Goal Hierarchy | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 322023-01-232
Peter Leeson on Why Trial-by-Fire Wasn’t Barbaric and Why Pirates Were Democratic | Episode 312023-01-232
Memory Champion Nelson Dellis Helps Steve Train His Brain | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 262023-01-233
John Donohue: “I’m Frequently Called a Treasonous Enemy of the Constitution.” | Episode 202023-01-233
Marina Nitze: “If You Googled ‘Business Efficiency Consultant,’ I Was the Only Result.” | Episode 192023-01-231
Robert Sapolsky: “I Don’t Think We Have Any Free Will Whatsoever.” | People I (Mostly) Admire | 182023-01-232
Joshua Jay: “Humans Are So, So Easy to Fool.” | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 162023-01-233
Tim Harford: “If You Can Make Sure You’re Not An Idiot, You’ve Done Well.” | Episode 152023-01-238
Suzanne Gluck: “I’m a Person Who Can Convince Other People to Do Things” | Episode 102023-01-236
Caverly Morgan: “I Am Not This Voice. I Am Not This Narrative”| People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 72023-01-231
Ken Jennings on How a Midlife Crisis Led Him to Jeopardy! | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 42023-01-230
Mayim Bialik on the Surprising Risks of Academia and Stability of Show Biz | Episode 22023-01-230
97. How Smart Is a Forest?2023-01-212
Was Austan Goolsbee’s First Visit to the Oval Office Almost His Last?| People I (Mostly) Admire | 612023-01-213
Harold Pollack on Why Managing Your Money Is as Easy as Taking Out the Garbage | Episode 402023-01-212
Sendhil Mullainathan Thinks Messing Around Is the Best Use of Your Time | Episode 372023-01-219
Is This the Future of High School? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 822023-01-202
Get Your Share of the Pie | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 802023-01-203
Is Gaming Good for You? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 762023-01-201
John McWhorter: How Anti-Racism Is Leaving Black People in the Lurch | People I (Mostly) Admire | 722023-01-207
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Experiment | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 702023-01-201
The Professor Who Said “No” to Tenure | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 662023-01-200
Michael Lewis' The Premonition: The Only Covid-19 Book Worth Reading | People I (Mostly) Admire | 632023-01-2012
How Does Historian Brad Gregory Make a Boring Topic So Mind-Blowing? | People I (Mostly) Admire | 622023-01-202
Who Gives the Worst Advice? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 592023-01-200
Claudia Goldin: "What’s 'Greedy Work' and Why Is It a Problem?" | People I (Mostly) Admire | Ep 562023-01-203
Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One | Episode 432023-01-201
Dr. Bapu Jena on Why Freakonomics Is the Best Medicine | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 412023-01-200
Bruce Friedrich Thinks There’s a Better Way to Eat Meat | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 292023-01-202
Professor Carl Hart Argues All Drugs Should Be Legal — Can He Convince Steve? | Episode 282023-01-2011
Amaryllis Fox: “What Does This New Version of Mutually Assured Destruction Look Like?”| Episode 242023-01-2010
The Price of Doing Business With John List | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 942023-01-185
Annie Duke Thinks You Should Quit | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 932023-01-189
Ken Burns on Heroism, Horror, and History | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 882023-01-184
What Makes John Doerr Think He Can Save the Planet? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 572023-01-182
How Rahm Emanuel Would Run the World | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 362023-01-182
Steven Strogatz Thinks You Don't Know What Math Is | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 962023-01-134
Dambisa Moyo Says Foreign Aid Can’t Solve Problems, but Maybe Corporations Can | Episode 302023-01-113
Daniel Kahneman on Why Our Judgment is Flawed — and What to Do About It | Episode 272023-01-1110
Sam Harris: “Spirituality Is a Loaded Term.” | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 252023-01-118
The One Thing Stephen Dubner Hasn't Quit | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 952023-01-1013
A Cross Between Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 892023-01-104
A Million-Year View on Morality | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 862023-01-100
What It Takes to Know Everything | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 852023-01-103
Why Bother Searching for Aliens? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 812023-01-103
Self-Help for Data Nerds | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 752023-01-105
Dan Gilbert: Turning Work Into Play | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 732023-01-102
Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence? | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 692023-01-104
Maya Shankar Is Changing People’s Behavior — and Her Own | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 342023-01-100
Emily Oster: “I Am a Woman Who Is Prominently Discussing Vaginas.” | People I (Mostly) Admire | 172023-01-103
Nathan Myhrvold: “I Am Interested in Lots of Things, and That’s Actually a Bad Strategy.”| Episode 62023-01-102
Yuval Noah Harari Thinks Life Is Meaningless and Amazing | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 842023-01-095
How Larry Miller Went from Prison Valedictorian to Nike Executive | People I (Mostly) Admire | Ep 642023-01-093
Cassandra Quave Thinks the Way Antibiotics Are Developed Might Kill Us | People I (Mostly) Admire 602023-01-096
Max Tegmark on Why Superhuman Artificial Intelligence Won’t be Our Slave | Episode 522023-01-092
Max Tegmark on Why Treating Humanity Like a Child Will Save Us All | People I (Mostly) Admire | 512023-01-091
Jane Goodall Changed the Way We See Animals. She’s Not Done | People I (Mostly) Admire | Episode 912023-01-064
Peter Singer Isn’t a Saint, But He’s Better Than Steve Levitt | People I (Mostly) Admire | Ep 902023-01-0615
“There’s So Many Problems — Which Ones Can I Make a Difference On?” | People I (Mostly) Admire | 832023-01-060
Solar Geoengineering Would Be Radical. It Might Also Be Necessary. | People I (Mostly) Admire | 792023-01-0610
Jared Diamond on the Downfall of Civilizations — and His Optimism for Ours | Episode 552023-01-042
Robert Axelrod: Why Being Nice, Forgiving, and Provokable are the Best Strategies for Life | Ep 472023-01-045
Why Aren’t All Drugs Legal? (Replay Ep. 28)2022-01-224
Are We Under Threat from a New Kind of Terror? (Replay Ep. 24)2022-01-155
Steve Levitt: “I’m Not as Childlike as I’d Like to Be”2020-10-102
None1970-01-012