In this book, Barbara W. Tuchman delves into the complexities of the 14th century, a period characterized by the juxtaposition of a glittering age of crusades, cathedrals, and chivalry with a world plunged into chaos and spiritual agony. Tuchman examines the great rhythms of history as well as the details of domestic life, including childhood, marriage, and the impact of money, taxes, and war on various social classes. She re-creates the lives of diverse figures such as cardinals, scholars, grocers, saints, and knights, providing a comprehensive and vivid portrait of medieval Europe. The book also draws parallels between the calamities of the 14th century and those of the 20th century, particularly the devastating effects of the plague and World War I[1][2][4].
Rick Perlstein’s book recaptures America’s turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, revealing how Richard Nixon rose from political obscurity to seize and hold the presidency. The book begins with the 1965 Watts riots and spans through the political upheavals up to Nixon’s reelection in 1972. Perlstein’s narrative highlights how Nixon manipulated social and political events to shape the current political landscape, creating a deep rift in American society that persists to this day. The book is filled with prodigious research and vivid detail, making it a grand historical epic that sheds new light on modern American politics.
Steve Bannon famously talked about using “muzzle velocity” as a strategy: doing so much so quickly that you overwhelm the ability of the media to cover it. I think what the Trump family is doing with crypto is muzzle velocity for corruption.
What they’re doing isn’t necessarily illegal. It would be if these were official campaign donations; the sums involved are so large, and the buyers include foreign nationals. But the Trump family is making this money personally. And they’re doing it across so many different crypto ventures, it’s almost impossible to keep track.
So that’s what I wanted to do with this episode: try to track at least some of it.
The person I’ve enlisted to help me out is Zeke Faux. He’s the author of the fantastic book “Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall” and an investigative reporter at Bloomberg, where he’s been covering many of these strange Trump family crypto schemes.
This episode contains strong language.
Mentioned:
“Trump Crypto Venture Has Talked to Binance About Doing Business” by Zeke Faux
Book Recommendations:
A Distant Mirror by Barbara W. Tuchman
Nixonland by Rick Perlstein
Gretel and the Great War by Adam Sachs
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find the transcript and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.html
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Marie Cascione, Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith, Marina King, Jan Kobal, Kristin Lin and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. And special thanks to Richard Painter.
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