Book Club with Michael Smerconish cover image

Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Latest episodes

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Dec 16, 2024 • 30min

William Cohan: "The Price of Silence"

Michael talks to William Cohan, author of "The Price of Silence: The Duke Lacrosse Scandal, the Power of the Elite, and the Corruption of Our Great Universities." The bestselling author presents his stunning account of the 2006 Duke lacrosse team scandal that reveals the pressures faced by America’s elite colleges and universities and pulls back the curtain, in a riveting narrative, on the larger issues of sexual misconduct, underage drinking, and bad-boy behavior—all too prevalent on campuses across the country. Original air date 15 April 2014. The book was published on 8 April 2014.
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Dec 11, 2024 • 21min

Ralph Cipriano: "Courtroom Cowboy"

Before he became a full-time talk radio host, Michael worked for a Philadelphia-based trial lawyer, James E. Beasley, who passed away in 2004. Listen to this special conversation where Michael spoke to Ralph Cipriano, who immortalized Beasley in his book "Courtroom Cowboy: The Life of Legal Trailblazer Jim Beasley." Also joining in this conversation is Beasley's son, Jim Beasley Jr. Beasley Sr. was a high school dropout driving a Greyhound bus when, on an impulse, he decided to change his destiny. He left the bus station behind and enrolled in Temple University and then its law school on the GI Bill. It was a fateful choice for Beasley and for hundreds of clients who would need a warrior to fight for them. In the courtroom Beasley was a scrapper, standing up for the underdog and winning more million-dollar verdicts than any other trial lawyer in the country. Original air date 2008, the book was published in 2008.
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Dec 5, 2024 • 23min

Stan Middleman: "Seeing Around Corners"

Stan Middleman, founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, shares powerful insights from his journey as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He reflects on the importance of perseverance and adapting to change, especially during challenges like the 2008 financial crisis. With engaging stories of his early failures and triumphs, Stan emphasizes creating a shared vision for teams. He also discusses the cyclical nature of the mortgage industry and offers predictions for the future amidst evolving economic trends. It's an inspiring conversation about resilience and leadership.
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Dec 3, 2024 • 18min

Louis J. Freeh: "My FBI"

Louis J. Freeh, former FBI director and author of "My FBI," shares gripping insights from his tenure at the bureau. He discusses the controversial Operation Able Danger and its implications for national security, particularly regarding the 9/11 attacks. Freeh reflects on the challenges of maintaining accountability in intelligence oversight and the ethical dilemmas faced during his leadership. He also delves into the complexities of presidential power, including pardons, and highlights the need for instinct in navigating national security issues.
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Nov 25, 2024 • 17min

Peggy Noonan: "A Certain Idea of America"

For a quarter century, Peggy Noonan has been thinking aloud about America in her much-loved Wall Street Journal column. In this new collection of her essential recent work, Noonan demonstrates the erudition, wisdom and humor that have made her one of America’s most admired writers. Michael welcomes the Pulitzer-prize winning Wall Street Journal columnist and New York Times bestselling author with her new book, "A Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings." Original air date 25 November 2024. The book was published on 19 November 2024.
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Nov 18, 2024 • 19min

Douglas Brinkley: "American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race"

Michael spoke to historian Douglas Brinkley about the book he wrote the year of the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. In the bestselling "American Moonshot," the award winning historian and perennial New York Times bestselling author takes a fresh look at the space program, President John F. Kennedy’s inspiring challenge, and America’s race to the moon. Original air date 3 April 2019. The book was published on 2 April 2019.
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Nov 15, 2024 • 17min

Richard Dawkins: "The Greatest Show on Earth"

From deep in the archives, Michael's conversation with Richard Dawkins, author of "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution (A Brief History of the Natural World)." In the New York Times bestselling book, he launches a fierce counterattack against proponents of "Intelligent Design." "Intelligent Design" is being taught in our schools; educators are being asked to "teach the controversy" behind evolutionary theory. There is no controversy. Dawkins sifts through rich layers of scientific evidence—from living examples of natural selection to clues in the fossil record; from natural clocks that mark the vast epochs wherein evolution ran its course to the intricacies of developing embryos; from plate tectonics to molecular genetics—to make the airtight case that "we find ourselves perched on one tiny twig in the midst of a blossoming and flourishing tree of life and it is no accident, but the direct consequence of evolution by non-random selection." Original air date 23 November 2009. The book was published on 22 September 2009.
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Nov 12, 2024 • 12min

John Grogan: "Marley & Me"

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans. John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. Listen to Michael speak with John Grogan, author of "Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog." Original air date 14 November 2006. The book was published in 2005.
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Nov 1, 2024 • 18min

Chris Wallace: "Countdown 1960"

Michael talks to Chris Wallace about his book "Countdown 1960: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the 312 Days that Changed America's Politics Forever." The riveting new book on the momentous year, campaign, and election that shaped American history. It’s January 2, 1960: the day that Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy declared his candidacy; and with this opening scene, Chris Wallace offers readers a front-row seat to history. From the challenge of primary battles in a nation that had never elected a Catholic president, to the intense machinations of the national conventions—where JFK chose Lyndon Johnson as his running mate over the impassioned objections of his brother Bobby—this is a nonfiction political thriller filled with intrigue, cinematic action, and fresh reporting. Original air date 1 November 2024. The book was published on 8 October 2024.
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Oct 28, 2024 • 18min

Bob Woodward: "War"

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward tells the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars—Ukraine, the Middle East and the struggle for the American Presidency. Michael welcomes the legendary journalist for a conversation about his book "War" - an intimate and sweeping account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and American history. Original air date 28 October 2024. The book was published on 15 October 2024.

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