
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

Dec 19, 2022 • 18min
Karl Rove: "The Triumph of William McKinley"
Michael's conversation with former adviser to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, on his book "The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters." Original air date 7 December 2015. The book was published on 24 November 2015.

Dec 14, 2022 • 16min
Kate Andersen Brower: "Elizabeth Taylor"
New York Times bestselling author (The Residence, First Women) Kate Andersen Brower, with her new book "Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon." Original air date 12 December 2022. The book was published on 6 December 2022.

Dec 12, 2022 • 35min
Tom Dreesen: "Still Standing"
Michael talks with long-time friend of and opening act for Frank Sinatra, Tom Dreesen, on his book "Still Standing...: My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra." Original air date 4 December 2020. The book was published on 9 June 2020.

Dec 9, 2022 • 19min
Jeff Nussbaum: "Undelivered"
Presidential speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum, author of "Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History." Original air date 7 December 2022. The book was published on 10 May 2022.

Dec 7, 2022 • 17min
Doris Kears Goodwin: "The Bully Pulpit"
Michael's conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian and bestselling author Doris Kearns Goodwin, on "The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism." Original air date 25 November 2013. The book was published on 1 January 2013.

Dec 5, 2022 • 18min
Kate Andersen Brower: "Exploring The White House"
Michael's conversation with bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower at the end of President Trump's time in the White House, her book "Exploring the White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home." Original air date 11 December 2020. The book was published on 8 December 2020.

Dec 2, 2022 • 20min
Douglas Brinkley: "Silent Spring Revolution"
Michael welcomes presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, author of "Silent Spring Revolution: John F. Kennedy, Rachel Carson, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and the Great Environmental Awakening." Original air date 1 December 2022. The book was published on 15 November 2022.

Nov 30, 2022 • 17min
Darrell West: "Billionaires"
Michael's conversation with Darrell West of Brookings, author of "Billionaires: Reflections on the Upper Crust." Original air date 14 November 2014. The book was published on 28 September 2014.

Nov 28, 2022 • 23min
Annie Duke: "How To Decide"
Michael talks with world poker champion and bestselling author Annie Duke about her book "How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices." Original air date 16 October 2020. The book was published on 13 October 2022.

Nov 22, 2022 • 17min
William Frey: "Diversity Explosion"
Michael talks with Brookings Institute Senior Fellow William H. Frey, author of "Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America." Original air date 26 November 2014. The book was published on 19 November 2014.