Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Michael Smerconish is joined by journalist and bestselling author Garrett Graff to discuss his powerful new oral history, "The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb." On the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima, they explore the bomb’s development, the people behind it, the decision to use it, and its enduring legacy. With over 500 voices included, Graff’s work captures the triumph and tragedy of one of the most pivotal moments in human history. Original air date 6 August 2025. The book was published on 5 August 2025.

Michael Smerconish talks with journalist Julia Hotz about her debut book, The Connection Cure, which explores the emerging field of social prescribing—using community, creativity, and connection as powerful tools to boost health and well-being. Hotz shares compelling science and personal stories behind five key wellness drivers: movement, nature, art, service, and belonging. A fresh look at how non-medical care can make a real difference. Original air date 30 July 2025. The book was published on 11 June 2024.

Author M.W. Craven joins Michael Smerconish in a discussion about Craven's captivating novel titled "Nobody's Hero." The duo chat about a variety of topics including the thrilling yet mysterious tone of the book, the Ben Koenig series in which "Nobody's Hero" belongs to, and the familiar names found within Craven's stories. Original air date 29 July 2025. The book was published on 03 December 2024.

Michael Smerconish sits down with Barry Levine, author of "The Spider: Inside the Criminal Web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell." They discuss the disturbing details of Epstein’s abuse network, Ghislaine Maxwell’s role, and the lingering questions surrounding powerful individuals, including Donald Trump. A compelling conversation rooted in years of investigative reporting, conducted in the contexts of this week's news around the push for the release of the Epstein Files, amidst the continued pushback and deflections from the White House. Original air date 25 July 2025. The book was published on 20 October 2020.

Michael's conversation from deep in the archives with with Steve Lopez, author of "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music." An intimate portrait of gifted violinist Nathaniel Ayers traces his promising education at Juilliard, his struggles with schizophrenia, and the factors that led to his homelessness in Los Angeles, circumstances that prompted their friendship and the author's efforts to improve the musician's life in spite of numerous setbacks. Original air date 16 August 2009. The book was published in 2008.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Michael Moss joins Michael to unpack his explosive book "Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions," which explores how processed food companies have engineered their products—and our eating habits. In this candid and eye-opening conversation, Moss reveals how food giants manipulate our biology, emotions, and even memories to keep us coming back for more, using tactics eerily similar to Big Tobacco. Moss breaks down how our free will has been quietly undermined by decades of food innovation aimed at maximizing profit—not health. Hear why Oreos might be more addictive than cigarettes, what’s really in your fridge, and how companies design packaging to encourage mindless eating. Original air date 14 April 2021. The book was published on 2 March 2021.

Michael Smerconish speaks with Stanford political scientist Dr. James Fishkin about his groundbreaking book "Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?" They explore how bringing diverse Americans together for civil, informed discussion—through experiments like America in One Room—can reduce polarization and lead to surprising consensus. A hopeful look at democratic reform in a divided age. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 3 July 2025.

Michael welcomes New York Times White House Correspondent Tyler Pager, co-author (with Josh Dawsey and Isaac Arnsdorf) of "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." Hear the behind-the-scenes drama, exclusive scoops, and pivotal moments that defined the 2024 election — from Kamala Harris’s rocky campaign to Trump’s post-assassination rise and Biden’s fateful debate decision. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 8 July 2025.

Carter Sherman, reproductive health reporter at The Guardian joins Michael with her book "The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation’s Fight Over Its Future." They explore how politics, technology, and social norms are reshaping the way young Americans think about and experience sex. From "hookup culture" to the "sex recession," and from Roe v. Wade to TikTok, this conversation dives deep into the evolving sexual landscape—and the clash between sexual conservatism and progressivism defining it. Original air date 11 July 2025. The book was published on 24 June 2025.

Watch the "Book Club" special event at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA on June 12, 2012 where Michael and Jim Abbott talk in front of 1,000 people in the stadium here!On Sunday, July 13th, 2025, Jim Abbott is the subject of a new ESPN E60 Documentary, Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott. Michael spoke with Abbott about this new feature about his incredible story on The Smerconish Daily Podcast this week (Wednesday, July 29 2025). Listen to that episode here!