Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Jon Meacham: "The Soul of America"

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with presidential historian Jon Meacham on his book "The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels." Original air date ...

Jane Mayer: "Dark Money"

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jane Mayer on her book "Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right." Original air date 27 January 2016. T...

Michael Shellenberger: "San Fransicko"

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with California gubernatorial candidate Michael Shellenberger on his book "San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities." Original air d...

Tom Manion: "Brothers Forever"

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with Tom Manion, co-author of "Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended Their Ultimate Sac...

Alan Shipnuck: "Phil"

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael welcomes Alan Shipnuck, author of "Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar." Original air date 1...

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: "Don't Trust Your Gut"

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael welcomes data scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, author of "Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life." Original a...

Steven Levitt: "Freakonomics"

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of "Freakonomics." Listen to this special podcast episode where Michael speaks with co-author Stephen D...

Chris Matthews: "Life's A Campaign"

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part of The National Constitution Center's "Author Series Programs," Michael sat down in front of a live audience with Chris Matthews for his book "Li...

Tim Russert: "Wisdom of Our Fathers"

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Tim Russert on his book "Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons." Russert, best known for host...

Jonah Goldberg: "Suicide of the West"

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael talks with Jonah Goldberg about his book "Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is D...

Juliette Kayyem: "The Devil Never Sleeps"

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former homeland security official, now Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security at Harvard Kennedy School, Professor Juliette Kayyem, author o...

Rodney King: "The Riot Within"

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with the late Rodney King, on his memoir "The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption." Original air date 27 April...

Alan Dershowitz: "Taking The Stand"

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael welcomed Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz into the SiriusXM Studios to talk about his memoir, "Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law." Ori...

Michael Smerconish: "American Life in Columns"

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A special edition today, for the 100th Episode of Book Club with Michael Smerconish! The author featured is....Michael himself. This is his commentary...

Christine Emba: "Rethinking Sex"

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Washington Post Opinions Columnist Christine Emba, with her new book "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation." Original air date 12 April 2022. The book was pu...

Valerie Biden Owens: "Growing Up Biden"

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael welcomes Valerie Biden Owens in studio, sister of President Joe Biden. Her new book is "Growing Up Biden: A Memoir." Original air date 18 Apri...

Noah Oppenheim: "The Intellectual Devotional Modern Culture"

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Noah Oppenheim, who is now President of NBC News. He spoke to him in 2008 on his then-new book, co-authored with David S. ...

Richard Clarke: "Artificial Intelligencia"

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former Counterterrorism Czar Richard Clarke, author of the novel "Artificial Intelligencia." Original air date 14 April 2022. The book was published o...

Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli: "Compassionomics"

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, Co-President/CEO of Cooper University Healthcare and associate dean of clinical affairs for Cooper Medical School at Rowan Uni...

Nelson DeMille: "The Cuban Affair"

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling author Nelson DeMille, who has been a guest of Michael's many times over the years, today on his book "The Cuban Affair: A Novel." Origina...

Richard Hasen: "Cheap Speech"

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with University of California-Irvine Law Professor Rick Hasen, author of "Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics―and H...

Jeff Benedict: "Tiger Woods"

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just in time for his reappearance at The Masters, Listen to Michael's 2018 interview with Jeff Benedict, co-author (with Armen Keteyian) of "Tiger Woo...

Conn Iggulden: "The Dangerous Book for Boys"

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with British author Conn Iggulden, co-author of "The Dangerous Book for Boys" from 2012. The book was published in 2005 and aga...

Greg Bluestein: "Flipped"

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael talks with Atlanta Journal Constitution Reporter Greg Bluestein, author of "Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Repub...

Michael Bamberger: "The Second Life of Tiger Woods"

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with sportswriter Michael Bamberger, author of "The Second Life of Tiger Woods." Original air date 26 March 2020. The book was ...

Dr. Mehmet Oz: "You: The Owners Manual"

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael spoke with Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2008, for the released of an updated version of his 2005 book "YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider’s Guide to th...

Madeleine Albright: "Fascism: A Warning"

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on her New York Times Best Seller, "Facism: A Warning." Albright passed awa...

Joan Biskupic: "The Chief"

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The book came out three years ago this week - hear Michael's conversation with Joan Biskupic, author of "The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Ch...

Reggie Love: "Power Forward"

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Seven years ago this month, former personal aide to President Barack Obama, Reggie Love, released "Power Forward: My Presidential Education." Michael ...

Brad Meltzer: "The Lightning Rod"

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael welcomes best-selling author Brad Meltzer, with his new book "The Lightning Rod: A Zig and Nola Novel. Original air date 10 March 2022. The b...

Michael Isikoff: "Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America"

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with investigative reporter Michael Isikoff, co-author (with David Corn) of "Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War ...

Mary Tillman: "Boots on the Ground by Dusk"

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Mary Tillman, author of "Boots on the Ground by Dusk: My Tribute to Pat Tillman." Original air date April 2008, the book w...

Jessie Singer: "There Are No Accidents"

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael talks with Jessie Singer, author of "There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster—Who Profits and Who Pays the Price." Ori...

Tom Brokaw: "Boom! Voices of the Sixties"

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with newsman Tom Brokaw on his book "Boom!: Voices of the Sixties - Personal Reflections on the '60s and Today." Original air d...

David Carr: "The Night Of The Gun"

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with David Carr, author of "The Night of the Gun A reporter investigates the darkest story of his life. His own." Original air ...

Bill Bishop: "The Big Sort"

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Even though he wrote this book 14 years ago, "The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart" by Bill Bishop remains more...

Joe Petro: "Standing Next To History"

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's December 2004 conversation with Joe Petro, author of "Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service." The book was pub...

Tom Wolfe: "I Am Charlotte Simmons"

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation from 2004 with author Tom Wolfe, on his then new book "I Am Charlotte Simmons: A Novel." The book was published on 9 November 2...

Jim Sciutto: "The Shadow War"

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with CNN's Jim Sciutto, author of "The Shadow War: Inside Russia's and China's Secret Operations to Defeat America." Original a...

Lord Jeffrey Archer: "False Impression"

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Lord Jeffrey Archer, author of the novel "False Impression." Original air date 15 March 2005. The book was published in Fe...

Garrett Graff: "Watergate: A New History"

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with CNN contributor and best selling author Garrett Graff, with his book "Watergate: A New History." Original air date 17 February ...

Alan Sepinwall: "The Sopranos Sessions"

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Alan Sepinwall, co-author of "The Sopranos Sessions." Original air date 11 January 2019. The book was published on 8 Janua...

Joanna Coles: "Love Rules"

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fitting for Valentine's Day - Michael's conversation with Joanna Coles, author of "Love Rules: How to Find a Real Relationship in a Digital World." Sh...

Erica Komisar: "Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling"

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with Erica Komisar, LCSW, author of "Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety." Or...

Dr. Leana Wen: "Lifelines"

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Dr. Leana Wen, author of "Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health." She is the former Baltimore, MD h...

Pete Hamill: "North River"

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Pete Hamill, on "North River: A Novel." Original air date June 2007. The book was published 11 June 2007. Hosted by Simple...

Mark Bowden: "The Steal"

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with author Mark Bowden, with his book "The Steal: The Attempt to Overturn the 2020 Election and the People Who Stopped It." Original a...

Carlos Eire: "Waiting for Snow in Havana"

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Carlos Eire, author of "Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy." Original air date was in 2003, when the b...

Sir Martin Gilbert: "Auschwitz and the Allies"

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Martin Gilbert joined Michael after Michael took a trip to Auschwitz with his book club friends, after reading "“The Holocaust A History of the ...

Laura Coates: "Just Pursuit"

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Laura Coates, colleague at SiriusXM and CNN, and author of "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness." Origin...

Taylor Branch: "The Clinton Tapes"

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Taylor Branch, author of "The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President." Original air date 6 October 2009. The ...

Jerry Blavat: "You Only Rock Once"

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation from 2011 with Jerry Blavat, author of "You Only Rock Once: My Life In Music." The book was published on 26 July 2011. Hosted ...

Indra Nooyi: "My Life In Full"

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi with Michael on her book "My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future." Original air date 19 January 2022. The boo...

Boris Johnson: "The Churchill Factor"

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with then-Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (now UK Prime Minister) on his book "The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History." ...

Harris Wofford: "Of Kennedys and Kings"

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's interview with Senator Harris Wofford, author of "Of Kennedys And Kings: Making Sense of the Sixties." The late Senator passed away in Janua...

Mike Sielski: "The Rise"

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Mike Sielski, on his book "The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality." Original...

Stephanie Land: "Maid"

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Stephanie Land, author of "Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive." The book is the basis for a Netflix ...

Brian Rosenwald: "Talk Radio's America"

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael talks with UPenn's Dr. Brian Rosenwald, author of "Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the Unit...

Stephen Marche: "The Next Civil War"

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with Stephen Marche, on his book "The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future." Original air date 6 January 2022. The book ...

Senator Harry Reid: "The Good Fight"

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with the late Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) with his then new book "The Good Fight: Hard Lessons from Searchlight to Washington." O...

Danny Goldberg: "Bloody Crossroads 2020"

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Danny Goldberg with his new book "Bloody Crossroads 2020: Art, Entertainment, and Resistance to Trump." Original air date 22 De...

Janny Scott: "The Beneficiary"

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Janny Scott on her book "The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father." Original air date 3 October 20...

Hillary Clinton: "State of Terror"

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on her new novel, "State of Terror" co-written with Louise Penny. Original air date 16 December 2021. The b...

Jon Meacham: "Destiny & Power"

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with historian Jon Meacham, on his book "Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush." Original airda...

James Andrew Miller: "Tinderbox"

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with James Andrew Miller, author of "Tinderbox: HBO's Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers." Original air date 3 December 2021. The boo...

Larry Kane: "Ticket To Ride"

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael spoke with longtime Philadelphia news anchor Larry Kane in 2007 on the re-release of his book "Ticket To Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 19...

James Patterson: "Fear No Evil

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Best-selling author James Patterson speaks about his latest Alex Cross Thriller, "Fear No Evil" with Michael. Original air date 1 December 2021. The b...

Joe Biden: "Promises to Keep"

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with then-Senator Joe Biden, who was on the presidential campaign trail when his memoir "Promises to Keep" was released on 31 J...

Alexandra Zapruder: "26 Seconds"

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder, who caught the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on tape o...

John Vandemoer: "Rigged Justice"

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Vandemoer, former Stanford University sailing coach, with Michael Smerconish, on his book "Rigged Justice: How the College Admissions Scandal Rui...

Peter Berg & Buzz Bissinger: "Friday Night Lights"

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Buzz Bizzinger, author of "Friday Night Lights" and Peter Berg, director of the movie by the same title. This aired on WPH...

Cappy McGarr: "The Man Who Made Mark Twain Famous"

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Cappy McGarr, co-creator of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, author of the new book "The Man Who Made Mark Twain Famous...

Steven Levy: "Facebook: The Inside Story"

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with WIRED Editor Steven Levy. This conversation about his book "Facebook: The Inside Story" was recorded in front of an audien...

Liara Roux: "Whore Of New York: A Confession"

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Liara Roux, a sex worker and advocate for the profession in New York City, joins Michael with her memoir, "Whore of New York." Original air date 1 Nov...

Joe Namath: "Namath"

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with legendary NFL quarterback Joe Namath, on his then-new book "Namath." Original air date 22 November 2006. The book was publ...

Ron Brownstein: "Rock Me On The Water"

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Atlantic Senior Editor Ron Brownstein, author of "Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Te...

Admiral William McRaven: "Make Your Bed"

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Retired Admiral William McRaven, on his then-new book "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe ...

Andrew Yang: "Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy"

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former presidential candidate, former NYC mayoral candidate, and now former democrat (newly independent) Andrew Yang with his new book "Forward: Notes...

Erik Larson: "The Splendid and the Vile"

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with best-selling author Eric Larson, author of "The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During th...

Stevie Van Zandt: "Unrequited Infatuations"

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with E Street Band Member (and fellow SiriusXM host) Stevie Van Zandt, with his new book "Unrequited Infatuations: A Memoir." Original ...

James Mitchell: "Enhanced Interrogation"

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with James Mitchell, author of "Enhanced Interrogation: Inside the Minds and Motives of the Islamic Terrorists Trying To Destro...

Stephanie Grisham: "I'll Take Your Questions Now"

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, author of "I'll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw In The Trump White House...

John Hickenlooper: "The Opposite of Woe"

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While on the presidential campaign trail in 2018, Former CO Gov. John Hickenlooper stopped by to speak with Michael in Philadelphia, about his memoir,...

Robert Costa: "Peril"

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Costa, co-author (with Bob Woodward) of "PERIL" with Michael Smerconish. Original air date 29 September 2021. The book was published on 21 Sept...

Mark Weinberg - "Movie Night with the Reagans"

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Smerconish with Mark Weinberg, author of "Movie Night with the Reagans." Original air date 28 February 2018. The book was published on 27 Febr...

David Philipps - "Alpha"

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New York Times Pulitzer Prize Winner David Phillips with his book "Alpha: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs." Original air da...

Dr. Jean Twenge - "iGen"

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jean Twenge speaks with Michael about her book "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--...

George Will: "American Happiness and Discontents"

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Washington Post columbist George Will with Michael on his book "American Happiness and Discontents: The Unruly Torrent, 2008-2020." Original air date ...

Tal Ben-Shahar: "Happiness Studies"

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cofounder of Happiness Studies Academy Tal Ben-Shahar with Michael on his new book "Happiness Studies: An Introduction." Originally aired 3 September ...

Rob O'Neill: "The Operator"

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Rob O'Neill on his book "The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama Bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior." ...

Michael Sandel: "The Tyranny of Merit"

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Harvard University Professor Michael Sandel, author of "The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?" with Michael Smerconish. Original Air...

Roger Bennett: "Reborn in the USA"

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with culture and soccer commentator Roger Bennett, author of "Reborn in the USA: An Englishman's Love Letter to His Chosen Home." Or...

David McCullough: "1776"

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough, with his then-new book "1776." Original air date May 2005. The book was pu...

Gary Ginsberg: "First Friends"

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Gary Ginsberg, author of "First Friends: The Powerful, Unsung (And Unelected) People Who Shaped Our Presidents." Original air d...

Pat Buchanan: "Nixon's White House Wars"

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this trip to the archives, Pat Buchanan, White House speechwriter and advisor for presidents Nixon, Ford, and Reagan, joins Michael for a conversat...

Jon Dorenbos: "Life is Magic"

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a special one. Former Philadelphia Eagles long snapper and magician Jon Dorenbos joins Michael Smerconish for a deep dive into forgiveness, he...

Roger Stone: "Stone's Rules: How to Win at Politics, Business, and Style"

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Smerconish talks with the one and only Roger Stone about his book "Stone's Rules," his guiding principles during a truly singular career. Orig...

Chris Matthews: "This Country"

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former MSNBC Hardball Host Chris Matthews with his new book "This Country: My Life in Politics and History" speaking with Michael Smerconish. Original...

J.D. Vance: "Hillbilly Elegy"

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

JD Vance with his book "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis" with Michael Smerconish. Original Air Date 15 July 2016. The book...

Peter Bergen: "The Rise & Fall of Osama Bin Laden: The Biography"

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with CNN National Security Analyst Peter Bergen, author of "The Rise and Fall of Osama Bin Laden: The Biography." Original air date 4 A...