Ben Shapiro is a prominent American conservative political commentator, writer, and lawyer. Known for his articulate and rapid-fire debate style, Shapiro became a public figure at a young age. He wrote his first book at the age of 20 and has since authored several more, tackling subjects such as political philosophy, culture, and religion. Shapiro's approach to commentary is heavily rooted in traditional conservative beliefs, advocating for limited government, individual liberty, and a strong free market. He is the founder of The Daily Wire, a leading American conservative news site and media company, where he also hosts "The Ben Shapiro Show," a popular political podcast that blends news analysis with cultural commentary.
❝I tend to read everything with the same level of response, whether it be the menus or the great philosophers.❞ — Ben Shapiro
Shapiro is well-known for his intellectual vigor, which is complemented by his extensive reading habits. He often discusses books and authors that have influenced his thinking, ranging from economics and political theory to moral philosophy and history. His deep engagement with a broad spectrum of literature is a cornerstone of his work, providing him with a robust foundation to articulate his arguments and write extensively on various topics.
Ben Shapiro's Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War
Author: Robert J. Gordon
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Jan 12th, 2016
This comprehensive analysis examines the unparalleled economic growth in America from 1870 to 1970 and explores why this rapid growth was a unique episode unlikely to be repeated, assessing the challenges facing the U.S. economy today.
Exodus
Author: Leon Uris
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Nov 1st, 1983
Uris's epic historical novel chronicles the founding of the state of Israel, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of Jewish immigrants in their quest for a homeland after World War II.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis
Author: David Foster Wallace
Publisher: Library of America
Date: May 10th, 2016
This collection of essays showcases Wallace's deep affinity for tennis, where he combines his personal experience and professional insight to explore the beauty and complexity of the sport with his characteristic wit and intelligence.
The Source: A Novel
Author: James A. Michener
Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Date: Jul 1st, 2002
Michener's epic historical novel traces the history of the Jewish people through a series of interwoven stories centered around an archaeological dig in Israel, spanning thousands of years from ancient to modern times.
Knowledge and Power: The Information Theory of Capitalism and How it is Revolutionizing our World
Author: George Gilder
Publisher: Regnery
Date: Jun 10th, 2013
Gilder argues that the creation and dissemination of knowledge drive economic growth, proposing that information theory is key to understanding and advancing modern capitalism.
The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch
Author: Jonathan Gottschall
Publisher: Penguin Press
Date: Apr 14th, 2015
Gottschall combines personal experience with scientific research to explore the cultural and biological reasons behind men's fascination with fighting and the societal impact of violence.
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Author: James Fitzjames Stephen
Publisher: Lulu.com
Date: Jun 10th, 2018
Stephen critiques John Stuart Mill's ideas on liberty and democracy, arguing for a more conservative approach to social order and governance in this influential 19th-century work.
The Insanity Defense: The Complete Prose
Author: Woody Allen
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Date: Jun 12th, 2007
This collection features Woody Allen's humorous and satirical essays, short stories, and articles, showcasing his unique wit and perspective on a variety of topics.
Homage to Catalonia
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: MacMillan Collector's Library
Date: Mar 4th, 2021
Orwell recounts his experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War, offering a vivid and personal perspective on the complexities and tragedies of the conflict.
The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations
Author: James Surowiecki
Publisher: Doubleday
Date: May 25th, 2004
Surowiecki explores the idea that large groups of people often make better decisions than individuals, applying this concept to various aspects of society and economics.
Basic Economics
Author: Thomas Sowell
Publisher: Basic Books
Date: Dec 2nd, 2014
Sowell provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to economic principles, using plain language and real-world examples to explain how economies function and the importance of economic literacy.
The Once and Future King
Author: T. H. White
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Date: Aug 25th, 1958
White's modern retelling of the Arthurian legends delves into the life of King Arthur, from his childhood as Wart to his establishment of Camelot, exploring themes of justice, power, and human nature.
Economics in One Lesson
Author: Henry Hazlitt
Publisher: Crown Currency
Date: Nov 14th, 2023
Hazlitt simplifies complex economic principles, arguing for free-market policies and demonstrating how government interventions often lead to unintended consequences.
The Haunting of Hill House
Author: Shirley Jackson
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Date: Oct 1st, 2013
Jackson's classic horror novel follows four people who arrive at Hill House to investigate its eerie reputation, only to experience unsettling and terrifying events that challenge their sanity.
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Publisher: Apple
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Going Red: The Two Million Voters Who Will Elect the Next President--and How Conservatives Can Win Them
Author: Ed Morrissey
Publisher: Crown Forum
Date: Apr 12th, 2016
Morrissey analyzes the political landscape of key swing states and identifies strategies for conservatives to win over pivotal voters in order to secure electoral victories.
Earth Abides
Author: George R. Stewart
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Date: Oct 13th, 2020
This post-apocalyptic novel follows the story of Isherwood "Ish" Williams as he navigates a world ravaged by a deadly plague, exploring themes of survival, civilization, and the resilience of humanity.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Author: J. D. Vance
Publisher: Harper
Date: Jun 28th, 2016
Vance's memoir offers a probing look at the struggles of America's white working class through his personal story of growing up in a poor Appalachian family, highlighting the social, economic, and cultural pressures that affect this community.
Modern Times: The World from the Twenties to the Nineties
Author: Paul Johnson
Publisher: Harpercollins
Date: Sep 7th, 1991
Johnson provides a comprehensive history of the 20th century, covering significant political, economic, and cultural changes from the 1920s to the end of the century.
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
Author: Thomas Sowell
Publisher: Encounter Books
Date: Jun 1st, 2005
Sowell examines the cultural and historical roots of various social issues in America, challenging conventional narratives about race, ethnicity, and class.
The Quest for Christa T.
Author: Christa Wolf
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date: Nov 1st, 1979
Christa Wolf's novel follows the life of Christa T., a woman coming of age in East Germany, as she navigates the complexities of her own aspirations against the backdrop of a restrictive socialist regime, exploring themes of individuality and conformity.
Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Author: Mitchell G. Bard
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Date: Dec 12th, 2016
Bard provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the history, key issues, and common misconceptions surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict, aiming to clarify the complex dynamics at play.
The Day of the Jackal
Author: Frederick Forsyth
Publisher: The Viking Press
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
This gripping thriller follows a professional assassin, known as the Jackal, as he is hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle, weaving a detailed and suspenseful narrative of pursuit and evasion.
The Whites: A Novel
Author: Richard Price
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Date: Feb 17th, 2015
Price's crime novel, written under the pen name Harry Brandt, follows detective Billy Graves as he grapples with unsolved cases and confronts the ghosts of his past in the gritty underworld of New York City.
Ghosts of Manila: The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Author: Mark Kram Jr.
Publisher: Harper
Date: May 22nd, 2001
Kram offers a gripping account of the fierce rivalry between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, focusing on their historic fights and the personal and cultural impact of their feud.
Alas, Babylon
Author: Pat Frank
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Date: Jul 5th, 2005
This post-apocalyptic novel follows the residents of a small Florida town as they struggle to survive and rebuild their lives after a nuclear war devastates the United States.
The Beast That Crouches at the Door: Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, and Beyond
Author: Rabbi David Fohrman
Publisher: Devora Publishing
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
Rabbi Fohrman provides a deep and insightful analysis of the biblical stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, exploring their profound moral and spiritual lessons.
In Cold Blood
Author: Truman Capote
Publisher: Modern Library
Date: Feb 19th, 2013
Truman Capote's groundbreaking work of narrative non-fiction meticulously details the brutal 1959 murders of a Kansas farmer and his family, exploring the psychological depth of the crime and its impact on the community.
The Long March: How the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s Changed America
Author: Roger Kimball
Publisher: Encounter Books
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
Kimball examines the lasting impact of the 1960s cultural revolution on American society, politics, and intellectual life, arguing that the era's radical changes continue to shape contemporary culture.