What I’ve been reading
Tyler Cowen shares his recent reading list, highlighting several notable books. Each book offers unique insights into its subject matter, ranging from intellectual biographies to political analyses. Cowen encourages others to engage in book reviewing amidst complaints about the lack of reviews in the media.
- ▪Paul Mendes-Flohr's biography of Martin Buber is described as beautifully written and first-rate.
- ▪Frank Callanan's study of James Joyce reveals Joyce's intense political engagement with Irish nationalism.
- ▪Suzy Hansen's book provides an insightful analysis of Turkey's shift towards autocracy under Erdoğan.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
What I’ve been reading by Tyler Cowen May 26, 2026 at 12:48 am in Books 1. Paul Mendes-Flohr, Martin Buber: A Life of Faith and Dissent. A beautifully written, first-rate intellectual biography of Buber. It is hard to imagine finding a better book on him. 2. Robert C. Austin and Artan R. Hoxha, Enver Hoxha: Twentieth-Century Tyrant. How did this strange story end up happening? This book offers the best set of explanations I have seen. But Hoxha himself remains a psychological cipher at the end of it all? It turns out he never thought Mao was much of an ideologue, being too influenced by Chinese culture and thought.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Marginal Revolution.
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