The Andrew Klavan Show Why Men Should Be Reading More Books w/Shilo Brooks
Jan 28, 2026
Shilo Brooks, president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and SMU professor, makes a case for reviving reading habits among men. He traces his own literary formation, contrasts books with digital media, and explains how fiction and nonfiction shape leaders and empathy. He also offers practical tips for building a long-form reading practice.
36:16
Blue-Collar Model Of Reading
- Shiloh Brooks describes his stepfather, a blue-collar Vietnam vet, who modeled nightly reading and discussed books with him.
- That example taught Brooks that reading is a masculine, companionable habit worth emulating.
Great Books College Experience
- Brooks recounts attending St. John's College where students read great books in chronological order across disciplines.
- That immersive curriculum taught him how books shaped culture and changed his life.
Books As Lifelong Companions
- Brooks argues a book is a long-term companion that lives with you across weeks or months.
- He says physical books enable comparison and deeper reflection unlike films or short media.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Brooks' reading origins and upbringing
01:36 • 2min
Why reading matters for leaders
03:38 • 2min
Books as enduring companions
05:11 • 2min
Desert-island book choices
07:14 • 3min
Old School podcast premise
09:56 • 2min
Challenging convictions through reading
12:22 • 2min
Faith, testing ideas, and strong students
14:28 • 2min
Ad break
16:49 • 1min
Fiction's emotional education
17:53 • 4min
Why reading declined and attention habits
21:35 • 2min
How nonfiction reshapes the reader
23:38 • 4min
Answering 'Why read fiction?'
27:13 • 2min
Practical advice for new readers
29:38 • 3min
Closing thoughts and podcast plug
32:16 • 47sec
Outro
33:03 • 27sec
#56853
The Education of Cyrus, the Syropaidae
Xenophon
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Brothers Kramazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky
'The Brothers Karamazov' is a complex novel that explores themes of faith, doubt, morality, and free will through the lives of the Karamazov family.
The story centers around the murder of Fyodor Karamazov and the subsequent investigation, with each of his sons—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—representing different facets of human nature.
Dmitri is driven by passion and sensual desires, Ivan embodies intellectual skepticism, and Alyosha represents spiritual purity and faith.
The novel delves into philosophical debates about the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the search for meaning in a world filled with suffering.
Through its intricate plot and profound character studies, 'The Brothers Karamazov' examines the depths of the human soul and the complexities of moral choice.
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• Mentioned in 229 episodes
The great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan.
The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
#572
• Mentioned in 55 episodes
Beyond Good and Evil
Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future
Friedrich Nietzsche
In 'Beyond Good and Evil', Nietzsche challenges the traditional morality and philosophical thought of his time.
He argues that the Christian world is steeped in a 'slave morality' that demonizes strength and domination, and instead proposes a philosophy that celebrates the present and the individual's 'will to power'.
The book is known for its aphoristic style and its critique of past philosophers for their dogmatic premises.
Nietzsche advocates for a new kind of philosopher who values imagination, self-assertion, and the creation of values, and he introduces the concept of 'perspective of life' which denies a universal morality for all human beings.
#9687
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Decision Points
George W. Bush
#3374
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This Side of Paradise
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This Side of Paradise chronicles the life of Amory Blaine from his childhood through his early twenties.
The novel is divided into three sections: 'Book One: The Romantic Egotist,' 'Interlude,' and 'Book Two: The Education of a Personage.
' It follows Amory's experiences at Princeton University, his service in World War I, and his subsequent struggles with love, identity, and social class.
The book is known for its experimental narrative structure, which includes poetry, letters, and stream-of-consciousness sections.
It reflects the themes of the 'Lost Generation,' exploring the disillusionment and moral ambiguity of the post-war era.
#72
• Mentioned in 217 episodes
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
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The Closing of the American Mind
Allan Bloom
#444
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Plato's Republic
Plato
#10
• Mentioned in 458 episodes
The Bible
Various Authors
The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism.
It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages.
The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread.
The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles.
#114
• Mentioned in 160 episodes
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century.
The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg.
The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate.
Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life.
The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.
Shilo Brooks, SMU professor, CEO of George W. Bush Presidential Center, and host of the Old School podcast, joins me for a riveting conversation on the power of books and why people–particularly men–should be reading them more prolifically.
Check out Shilo's podcast "Old School" about great books here:
https://www.thefp.com/s/old-school-with-shilo-brooks
https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275
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