Lawrence Douglas — The Criminal State: War, Atrocity, and the Dream of International Justice - with Stephen I. Vladeck

Soumaya Keynes & Chad P. Bown — How to Win a Trade War: An Optimistic Guide to an Anxious Global Economy - with Joseph Politano

Two top trade experts with popular economics podcasts argue for a new way of operating between the biggest economic powers in the world. We used to take trade for granted. No more. Everything we know about trade has changed. With Trump’s tariffs throwing everything up in the air, this is the book to explain the eruption. As we enter this new era of trade conflict, we need a new way of operating between the biggest economic powers in the world. Trade experts Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown argue that now that the rules of the game have been abandoned, we need a different strategy. Yearning for the old approach to start working again isn’t an option. Ultimately, the authors argue that a Western system that protects market-oriented democracies from China’s one will require the embrace of some uniquely Chinese tools. If we want to avoid a war with guns, drones, and battles, then we need to understand these weapons better in How to Win a Trade War. The authors give a tour of products and supply chains, from metals to sushi, and the impact of trade—and trade disruptions—on workers and consumers. They follow a lipstick with plastic casing manufactured in China, filled in Mexico, and then shipped to Canada after stopping off at a Texan warehouse. They trace an electronics supply chain from silicon sourced in the Appalachian Mountains, to “wafers” made in Japan, to chips made in Taiwan using equipment made in the Netherlands, to smartphones assembled in China and sent to America. They speculate what all-out economic warfare might look like. What if the world’s key shipping lanes got blocked? Or satellite communication went down? What about export restrictions cutting off supplies of key products? Tariffs could be the least of our problems. Soumaya Keynes is an economics columnist at the Financial Times and host of the podcast The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes. Before joining the Financial Times in July 2023, she spent eight years at The Economist, where she won an award from the Association of Business Journalists for her commentary on the first Trump administration’s trade policy. She cofounded the Trade Talks podcast during the Trump administration’s first term and cohosted The Economist’s Money Talks podcast. She started her career as an economist working at the UK Treasury and then as a researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies. She has an undergraduate degree and masters in economics from the University of Cambridge. Chad Bown is the Reginald Jones Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and host of the Trade Talks podcast. He has performed public service in two US administrations, as Chief Economist at the Department of State in the Biden-Harris administration and as Senior Economist in the White House on President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors. He has also been on the research staff at the World Bank and World Trade Organization, and was on the faculty at Brandeis University for twelve years and was a tenured professor of economics. He received a BA magna cum laude in economics and international relations from Bucknell University and a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Keynes and Bown are in conversation with Joseph Politano, an economic analyst, data journalist, and online content creator. He is the writer and founder of Apricitas Economics—an independent weekly newsletter read by more than 45,000 people. His work focuses on macroeconomics, particularly labor markets, inflation, housing, international trade, and industrial policy. Prior to writing Apricitas, Joseph received a BA in Economics & Political Science from the George Washington University, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and worked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics." PURCHASE: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781668221310?ic_referral=ojweu8iMSGlmFEjkU9x6gp0Lfcs4GxU5r47-kzNenNkwM5wHWhZhmGvXS9RmWdXtheZSPM9WSDToRgyLN0hDkQYPVSOxpsqVQc3NhsmvHEw4ty16TiYllyY81uSoLRQqiGCGNCs

Andrew Weissmann — Liar's Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America - with Carol Leonnig

From MS NOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, an urgent summons to tackle the scourge of political lies in America—and prevent a figure like Donald Trump from ever rising again. “The 2020 election was a total FRAUD!” “I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.” “There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!!” These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple our democracy and undermined the public’s faith in elections. The Trump administration’s deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own.   As Andrew Weissmann reveals, our vulnerability to politicians’ lies stems from a flaw in America’s legal system—one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look beyond our borders to other countries that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, Liar’s Kingdom is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future—and for saving our democracy. We are entitled to more from our government, and this book shows how we can get it. Andrew Weissmann is an NYU Law School professor and widely respected legal analyst on MS NOW. He was a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office, Chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice, General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Director Mueller, a leader of the Enron Task Force, and started out as an organized crime prosecutor in Brooklyn. He is a co-host of MS NOW's award-winning podcast Main Justice and, before that, Prosecuting Donald Trump. He has written two New York Times bestsellers, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, and, as co-author, The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary, and also writes the Substack newsletter Behind the Headlines. He holds degrees from Princeton and Columbia Law School, was a Fulbright scholar, and teaches at NYU School of Law. He is a New Yorker through and through. Weissmann is in conversation with Carol Leonnig, a five-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, is the author of three bestselling books and an investigative reporter who has worked at The Washington Post for the last twenty-five years. She won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on security failures by the Secret Service. She also was part of Post teams awarded Pulitzers in 2024, 2022, 2018, and 2014. Leonnig, a contributor to MSNBC, is the author of Zero Fail and coauthor of A Very Stable Genius and I Alone Can Fix It. PURCHASE: https://politics-prose.com/book/9780316601306?ic_referral=sTGTIJDt3cmp7BNBFY93q3ohedGt6JohBMTEkgMoOoAwM-f6qko9O_aav7pkG395wrETyLwdeNL6nj4KzHRiv4CqiD9WbYVBc3f6hNa1uxDEgpgoov0LCJp8XVYBxPw32QDHpB8

Lois Romano — An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln -with Elisabeth Bumiller

“Lois Romano writes with grace and empathy to bring depth and dignity to Mary’s story, shining a light on the contradictions that defined her—ambition and vulnerability, devotion and volatility, public scrutiny and private sorrow. What emerges is a deeply human portrayal of a fiercely intelligent, emotionally layered, and courageous woman—flawed, fragile, and tested by unimaginable tragedy—who was not merely a witness to history, but a full partner in a presidency that altered the course of American history." - Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of "Team of Rivals, The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln." A revelatory new biography of one of the most misunderstood and vilified First Ladies in American history: Mary Todd Lincoln. Mary Lincoln was at the center of politics at a time when society’s expectations for women were rigid and circumscribed. The product of Southern aristocracy, she grew up among an influential clan of politicians and elites who founded Lexington, Kentucky. Mary’s early exposure to the male-dominated world of politics instilled in her a keen political acumen and a fierce ambition. Proclaiming as a child that she was destined to become the wife of a president, she played a crucial role in boosting her husband to greatness. But her hopes for a triumphant experience at the pinnacle of power were lost to the Civil War and unfathomable family tragedies. Still, Mary persevered. She steadfastly supported the Union war effort, visited encampments, tended to wounded soldiers, and generously donated money and gifts to refugees from slavery. She was an unconventional, larger-than-life character who dressed too ostentatiously, grieved too publicly, suffered a shopping addiction, and seemed unable or unwilling to corral her emotions, her temper, and her opinions. She made enemies—influential men who wrote her story for her, often unfairly. After Lincoln was assassinated, she was all but abandoned by the nation he had given his life to defend and preserve. Former Washington Post writer and columnist Lois Romano rectifies the tortured legacy of Mary Todd Lincoln, who was failed at nearly every turn in her widowhood—by her family, by her government, by medical professionals ill-equipped to diagnose her mental illness, and finally, by history. Romano draws on hundreds of archives, letters, and memoirs to provide the most complete portrait—of not simply of an inconvenient widow, but of a brilliant and flawed woman, who possessed uncommon tenacity in the face of extraordinary adversity and personal torment, and helped launch one of America’s greatest presidents. Lois Romano is a long-time national political journalist who was an editor, columnist, and reporter for The Washington Post and POLITICO, and who has covered numerous first ladies. Romano is in conversation with Elisabeth Bumiller, a writer at large for The New York Times, where she focuses on the people, politics and culture of Washington, and how decisions made there affect lives in the nation and around the world. She was The Times’ Washington bureau chief from 2015 to 2024, when she oversaw all news in Washington during the last year of the Obama White House and the next eight years of the Trump and Biden administrations. Over the previous two decades she covered the White House, the Pentagon, John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and New York’s City Hall for The Times. PURCHASE: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781982140724?ic_referral=ROhrcIM3JimnLwz_-3th9X5kWses4aTwY7Y3aGwRJ6owMyvyNQWq7p57uHi7Lr8u5GMXagL8_DUrTF3DmhZWu4gQbqcG_lLua8kWWcXkWd3TyRLqzP1pB3tCjecp6CN7c9YMX88

Jennifer Shoop — Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life's Quiet Joys - with Chesley McCarty

Find happiness and comfort in life’s everyday moments with this insightful visual volume of prose and poetry. In our busy and stress-filled world, it’s easy to miss the smaller moments that can provide happiness and fulfilment. Small Wonders [https://politics-prose.com/book/9781577157267?ic_referral=KWLo7TUGjqAZAoT-Q-DvATWoZqrixLiVXDtAa7TvXVwwM5iVuKR8CKm7skBTfPlXqNYIX8iFVCr8tCbZFBSDsK71AOmFaLoFPm3PzpPz4mOvotlCdERJM8_VknW4OI9It3Vm2Fw] is your invitation to slow down and savor the minor miracles of everyday living. With her insightful prose and evocative poetry, author Jennifer Shoop celebrates the little moments that connect us to each other and to the world around us. Dreamy photography brings the text to life, showcasing the beauty found in the often-overlooked, mundane details all around us.  Author Jennifer Shoop (@magpiebyjenshoop), creator of the literary lifestyle publication Magpie, encourages you to find joy and replenishment in the small stuff, such as: * A long phone call with a friend * The dance of backyard fireflies * The well-worn charm of a beloved hand-me-down * And more.  Wherever you are on your path, life's small wonders can nurture your soul.  Jennifer Shoop (@magpiebyjenshoop) is the creator of Magpie, the literary lifestyle publication and platform that focuses on inspiring women to live thoughtful, well-curated lives, with an invitation for self-discovery. Magpie features a daily blog with an engaged readership that covers a wide range of lifestyle topics, including motherhood, friendship, love, literature, and beyond. Jennifer holds an advanced degree in literature from Georgetown University and resides in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and two children. Shoop is in conversation Chesley McCarty, architecture & photography defines her perspective as a realtor in Washington, DC. After working for 7 years in commercial real estate – a year of which she spent traveling & working remotely across Europe – she now partners with clients who share an appreciation for homes with architectural heritage and strong design character. Chesley is an old soul who enjoys a good book, anything French, and the sound of the (Mediterranean) sea. PURCHASE: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781577157267?ic_referral=pbRcvxLL1kiVrU-WQWjDzJRbfumdITf_CPN76_cB2lcwM_TfFWPI2TcTHRRzLUIcFI3oWafuaU85xv0G31lCc5Nhj6kgqf-muzliXp-_HC4IbIeWX5hD2KuTgfZLWDZ0NkMDjGM

Josh Tyrangiel — AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter -with Jeffrey Goldberg

In contrast to the wave of noisy polemics around AI, AI For Good [https://politics-prose.com/book/9781668082508] explores how, in practice, it can actually improve our lives and tells the stories of everyday citizens at the forefront of this new “AI entrepreneurship.” AI is often framed as a force of radical transformation, either catapulting us into a utopian future or dragging us toward existential ruin. But this book tells a different story. It’s not about high-profile tech CEOs who want to use AI to “break shit,” but about a bunch of smart pragmatists using AI to make the world better. Josh Tyrangiel’s journey into AI began with a late-night YouTube video featuring General Gustave Perna, the retired four-star general who orchestrated the distribution of Covid vaccines during Operation Warp Speed. Perna’s success—and the end of the pandemic—depended on AI’s practical ability to synthesize and standardize vast amounts of logistical data. AI wasn’t the hero of the story—it was the tool that helped real people get things done. This book follows those people, who make up a kind of AI counterculture. It explores AI’s quiet revolution in government services, medicine, education, and human connection—places where it’s being used to amplify human judgment rather than replace it. It tells the stories of teachers, doctors, and bureaucrats who often stumbled into AI as a means to solve specific, tangible problems, often with no prior software expertise. While the loudest voices in AI debate doomsday scenarios and trillion-dollar market opportunities, this book focuses on those working in the messy, incremental, but deeply impactful space of AI practice. However, there is one big caveat—success is not guaranteed. Change is hard. Institutions move slowly. But even in failure there are lessons for everyone who’s interested in using AI—carefully, thoughtfully—to build a better world today. Tyrangie is in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, and is the moderator of Washington Week With The Atlantic on PBS. He joined The Atlantic in 2007 as a national correspondent and in 2016 was named editor in chief, the 15th person to serve as editor in The Atlantic's 168-year history. During his editorship, The Atlantic has set new audience and subscription records, and won its first-ever Pulitzer Prizes. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, The Atlantic received the National Magazine Award for General Excellence from the American Society of Magazine Editors, the top award in the industry. PURCHASE: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781668082508?ic_referral=xDjSBCvCKlxoDSvzbSZEXFQ_9nQsl94jeiSbEtyVy2gwM2IPS57Shu_435f6BN6hDfAbQa8FW9eDOdleFpCNsQbuYruiWdQxy7b_gF8_zEzHIzrkVb8ngIqCf5QPJ0QLO7MXKyo