The media landscape is saturated with uncritical praise for bestselling books. So, as an antidote, the “If Books Could Kill” podcast stands as a refreshingly sharp slap in the face, wielding wit and rigorous analysis to dissect “the airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds.”
Hosts Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri have carved out a niche of one, by dedicating each episode to the discussion of a single book, along with the book’s wider cultural influence, focusing on flawed arguments, poor uses of data, factual errors, and the drawing of unsound conclusions or overgeneralizations. All this is accomplished while maintaining a comic tone that makes their methodical takedowns as entertaining as they are enlightening.
This show offers a safe yet fun space to talk about bestselling books that deserve criticism, with the hosts offering valuable insight into notable works while analyzing these books and commenting on mainstream consumption. Whether they’re demolishing the pseudo-scientific claims of wellness gurus, exposing the logical fallacies in business manifestos, or revealing the dangerous implications of seemingly innocuous self-help advice certain episodes stand out as masterclasses in cultural criticism that demonstrate why questioning popular narratives is more important than ever. Here are some of the top episodes of “If Books Could Kill”.
Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers”
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In “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell proposed that achieving expertise in any field requires 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. Mike and Peter demonstrate the fallacy of this theory by completely comprehending his foolish tome in approximately 50 minutes.
The Game
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Neil Strauss’s “The Game” purported to instruct any male on attracting gorgeous women. According to the author, success required only a touch of antisocial behavior, an abundance of woman-hating attitudes, and a waist bag stuffed with gimmicks.
The Secret
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Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret” achieved massive sales figures by promoting a straightforward concept: All scientific knowledge is fraudulent and events occur solely because individuals will them into existence through cosmic correspondence.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
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In 1997, Robert Kiyosaki unveiled his formula for enduring prosperity: Conduct deceptive workshops and exploit underage laborers.
The Rules
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In 1995, a popular publication suggested a straightforward romantic approach for women: Shed pounds, don vibrant hues, and transform into an entirely different individual permanently.
The Coddling Of The American Mind
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CONTENT ADVISORY: if you’re an OVERSENSITIVE academic instructor concerned about student behavior, you may require a PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT, as Michael and Peter examine “The Coddling of The American Mind,” a publication regarding university atmosphere that lacks substantial evidence while emphasizing selectively chosen stories.
San Fransicko
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This episode features an analysis of “San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities,” a publication that boldly questions: What if all professional knowledge regarding homelessness is incorrect, and all the opinions of a single internet contrarian about homelessness are accurate?
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
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In 1992, a yoga teacher possessing a correspondence doctorate had the audacity to inquire: “Are women failing to receive domestic assistance because they’re employing incorrect auxiliary verbs?”
Atomic Habits
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This episode they examine “Atomic Habits,” a publication concerning how to employ scientific methods (along with certain material that is decidedly unscientific) to condition oneself into becoming a more capable individual.
The 48 Laws of Power
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In 1996, a disillusioned screenwriter was awarded a fellowship in Italy. Two decades after that, Beyoncé came out with Lemonade. Seriously, make it make sense.
The Let Them Theory
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Peter and Michael explore The Let Them Theory, a self-help approach that promotes finding happiness by fully embracing complacency.
Read our review of If Books Could Kill