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
Oct 3, 2022 • 24min
Mike Rinder: "A Billion Years"
Michael talks with Mike Rinder, on his book "A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology." Rinder was Scientology’s international spokesperson, head of its Office of Special Affairs, and a member of the Board of Directors of Church of Scientology International, until he left the organization in 2007. Original air date 3 October 2022. The book was published on 27 September 2022.
Sep 30, 2022 • 18min
Scott Galloway: "Adrift"
Michael talks with NYU Business Professor Scott Galloway, author of "Adrift: America in 100 Charts." Original air date 30 September 2022. The book was published on 27 September 2022.
Sep 28, 2022 • 20min
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman: "Here, Right Matters"
Michael's conversation with US Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (Ret.), who also served on the National Security Council, on his book "Here, Right Matters: An American Story." He is the one who decided to report a phone call that eventually led to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Original air date 17 September 2021. The book was published on 3 August 2021.
Sep 26, 2022 • 27min
Nina Totenberg: "Dinners with Ruth"
Michael invites NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg to the program to discuses her book, "Dinners with Ruth:
A Memoir on the Power of Friendships." The book is filled to the brim with funny and personal stories of the late, great Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Totenberg reminisces on some of those stories with Michael. Original air date 23 September 2022. The book was publish on 13 September 2022.
Sep 23, 2022 • 20min
Nicholas Eberstadt: "Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition"
Michael talks to Nicholas Eberstadt, who first wrote "Men Without Work" in 2016. He talks about the updated edition, "Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition." Original air date 20 September 2022. The book was published on 19 September 2022.
Sep 21, 2022 • 17min
Buzz Bissinger: "The Mosquito Bowl"
This is one of the greatest stories you've never heard. Michael welcomes bestselling author Buzz Bissinger, author of "The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II." Original air date 20 September 2022. The book was published on 13 September 2022.
Sep 19, 2022 • 18min
Gabriel Debenedetti: "The Long Alliance"
Michael talks with New York Magazine's Gabriel DeBenedetti, author of "The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama." Original air date 19 September 2022. The book was published on 13 September 2022.
Sep 16, 2022 • 31min
Rabia Chaudry: "Adnan's Story"
As the case of Adnan Syed comes back into the news with Baltimore, MD prosecutors signaling they will vacate his conviction for a new trial, we offer up this interview from Michael's archives, with Rabia Chaudry, author of "Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial." Original air date 10 August 2016. The book was published on 9 August 2016.
Sep 14, 2022 • 18min
Andrew Morton: "Meghan: A Hollywood Princess"
Michael talks with Andrew Morton, on his book "Meghan: A Hollywood Princess." Morton is also the author of the bestselling book "Diana: Her True Story." Original air date 20 April 2018. The book was published on 17 April 2018.
Sep 12, 2022 • 23min
Gary Schroen: "First In"
Gary Schroen, the former Central Intelligence Agency field officer in charge of the US' initial CIA incursion into Afghanistan in 2001, passed away on 1 August 2022. From Michael's archives, this is a rare interview with Schroen, on his then-new book, "First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan." Original air date 12 May 2005. The book was published on 10 May 2005.
