
Book Club with Michael Smerconish
Reading for Independent Minds. Unlike many author interviews, if Michael didn't actually read the book, you won't hear about it. If he read it, you'll hear it and you'll love it. Insights into a wide range of topics, including many titles you've probably never heard of. The perfect book is just one listen away.
Latest episodes

Nov 15, 2023 • 22min
David Brooks: "How To Know A Person"
Bestselling author and New York Times Columnist David Brooks joins the podcast to discuss his new book "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen," which pulls from his own observations and research and dives into the topic of human connection and its importance in today's society. Original Air Date 14 November 2023. The book was published on 24 October 2023.

Nov 13, 2023 • 36min
Jim McGreevey: "The Confession"
Former New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey, who in 2004 came out as gay and resigned from office, is back in the news, now announcing (in November 2023) that he is running for Mayor of Jersey City, NJ. In 2006, Michael spoke with him about his candid memoir, "The Confession." The book was published on 19 September 2006.

Nov 10, 2023 • 17min
Nelson DeMille: "Blood Lines"
Michael talks with New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille on his new novel "Blood Lines." The story features the return of Army CID Special Agents Brodie and Taylor who are on the hunt for the cold-blooded murderer of one of their fellow agents. Original air date 10 November 2023. The book was published on 10 October 2023.

Nov 7, 2023 • 17min
Robert Rubin: "The Yellow Pad"
Michael talks with Robert Rubin, former secretary of the Treasury and co-chairman of Goldman Sachs, on his book "The Yellow Pad: Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World." Original air date 7 November 2023. The book was published on 16 May 2023.

Nov 3, 2023 • 16min
Ralph Nader: " Unstoppable"
Michael talks to former presidential candidate Ralph Nader about his book "Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State," wherein he argues of the dangers that a politically divided America can bring. Original air date 23 March 2014. The book was published on 29 April 2014.

Nov 1, 2023 • 18min
Jeffrey Rosen: "Conversations with RBG"
Michael Smerconish talks with Jeffery Rosen, President& CEO of the National Constitution Center. His book about the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is "Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law." This conversation happened almost a hear before Justice Ginsburg passed away, she died in September 2020. Original air date 6 November 2019. The book was published on 5 November 2019.

Oct 30, 2023 • 18min
McKay Coppins: "Romney"
A remarkably illuminating biography of one of America’s most fascinating political figures—including news-making revelations from Mitt Romney himself about dissension within today’s Republican Party—written with his full cooperation by an award-winning writer at The Atlantic. Michael welcomes McKay Coppins for a conversation on "Romney: A Reckoning." Original air date 27 October 2023. The book was published on 24 October 2023.

Oct 27, 2023 • 17min
Frances Haugen: "The Power Of One"
Michael's conversation with the Facebook Whistleblower, Frances Haugen, on her book "The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook." Original air date 26 October 2023. The book was published on 13 June 2023.

Oct 25, 2023 • 17min
Mike Huckabee: "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy"
Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR) asks, "Have I been taken to a different planet than the one on which I grew up?" The New York Times bestselling author explores today's fractious American culture, where divisions of class, race, politics, religion, gender, age, and other fault lines make polite conversation dicey, if not downright dangerous. Listen to Michael's conversation with him on his book "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy." Original air date 27 January 2015. The book was published on 20 January 2015.

Oct 23, 2023 • 20min
Robert Sapolsky: "Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will"
One of our great behavioral scientists, the bestselling author of "Behave", plumbs the depths of the science and philosophy of decision-making to mount a devastating case against free will, an argument with profound consequences. Listen to Michael's conversation with Stanford University Professor of biology and neurolgy Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky, author of "Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will." Original air date 19 October 2023. The book was published on 17 October 2023.