If Books Could Kill By cover art

If Books Could Kill

By: Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
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  • Summary

  • The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
    © 2024 If Books Could Kill
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Episodes
  • Breaking News Re-Release: "Hillbilly Elegy"

    Breaking News Re-Release: "Hillbilly Elegy"
    Jul 16 2024

    To celebrate ("celebrate") Donald Trump choosing JD Vance as his running mate we are re-releasing our "Hillbilly Elegy" episode. Enjoy!
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    51 mins
  • Richard Hanania's "The Origins of Woke"

    Richard Hanania's "The Origins of Woke"
    Jul 11 2024

    Peter and Michael discuss "The Origins of Woke," a glimpse into the dark aspirations of the Republican Party and the mind of a very unusual man.

    Where to find us:

    • Peter's other podcast, 5-4
    • Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase

    Sources:

    • What Speech Does "Hostile Work Environment" Harassment Law Restrict?
    • Tunis v. Corning Glass Works, 698 F. Supp. 452 (S.D.N.Y. 1988)
    • Pakizegi v. First Nat. Bank of Boston, 831 F. Supp. 901
    • Tesla Settles Discrimination Suit With Former Factory Worker - The New York Times
    • Menial Tasks, Slurs and Swastikas: Many Black Workers at Tesla Say They Faced Racism - The New York Times
    • Diaz v. Tesla, Inc.
    • Making Hispanics: How Activists, Bureaucrats, and Media Constructed a New American
    • Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination
    • Meta-analysis of field experiments shows no change in racial discrimination in hiring over time | PNAS
    • Systemic Discrimination Among Large U.S. Employers

    Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Columbia Protests [TEASER]

    The Columbia Protests [TEASER]
    May 16 2024

    Peter and Michael discuss the media coverage of the protests at Columbia — from the crazed, bloodthirsty ravings of right-wing media to the more muted, respectful bloodthirst of centrist media.

    To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
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    27 mins
Art Literary History & Criticism Political Science Social Sciences
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What listeners say about If Books Could Kill

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Profile Image for Bella

Amazing podcast

Michael doing an excellent follow-up to his work on You're Wrong About. Warm, friendly, evidence-centric criticism.

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Profile Image for Johanna LaRocco

Michael shines here doing what he's best at!

This is great content for those looking for a fact based breakdown of this social phenomenon. It even includes a Pierce Brosnan mention!

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Profile Image for mvita89

Dazzling Book Reviews

Always informative… always fun!! I enjoy listening to and from work. Michael Hobbs, I love you!! You too, Peter!!

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Great stuff

It doesn't hurt to take a critical look at the books that hold value in our society. Sociology is a really complicated subject and boiling it down to a few statistics in a book doesn't always work, even when it's neatly packaged. The show is funny in addition to educational which is my favorite kind of podcast.

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wow

Love all these podcasts. I know this isn't a podcast regarding reproductive rights but it would have been for Michael to mention that indigenous women are still having forced sterilization as well as other women in the present day here in the US. It isn't a past issue for us or the rest of the world sadly. I love how you guys can make me laugh so hard while learning about the most depressing shit. great work keep it up.

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Profile Image for Kristi Crider

Well.

I thoroughly enjoy this podcast. I paid for Patreon. Then episodes stopped showing up. I would continue listening and I would restart Patreon, but not if the episodes just stop?!

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.

This is the same superficial tripe they are railing about . Tearing apart a 25 year old book . Pseudo intellectual drivel . Don’t waste your time

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Profile Image for Hippo

Karen vibe

I like the arguments they bring up on the matter of data analytics as well as the way they fact check the authors. But I can't get personal opinions they demonstrate. It is almost like the authors personally offended them. They give me the impression of a two neck bearded, purple headed Karen's, yelling to see the manager.

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