If Books Could Kill

By: Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
  • Summary

  • The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
    © 2025 If Books Could Kill
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • Josh Hawley's "Manhood" [TEASER]
    Mar 31 2025

    To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Steve Harvey's "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man"
    Mar 28 2025

    Are you a single lady struggling to find love with a man? Don't fret! A twice-divorced game show host who thinks conversation is for women is here to help.

    Where to find us:

    • Peter's newsletter
    • Peter's other podcast, 5-4
    • Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase

    Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • Of Boys And Men
    Mar 6 2025

    Who's to blame for the crisis of American masculinity? On the right, politicians tell men that they being oppressed by feminists and must reassert their manhood by supporting an authoritarian regime. And on the left, users of social media are often very irritating to people who write airport books.

    Where to find us:

    • Peter's newsletter
    • Peter's other podcast, 5-4
    • Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase

    Sources:

    • Conscientiousness as a Predictor of the Gender Gap in Academic Achievement
    • Gender Differences in Scholastic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis
    • Early Childhood Behavior Problems and the Gender Gap in Educational Attainment in the United States
    • Where The Boys Aren’t
    • The gender achievement gap in grades and standardised tests
    • The State of Gender Equality for U.S. Adolescents
    • Highlights of women’s earnings in 2023
    • The gender gap in educational outcomes in Norway
    • Social Influences And The Gender Gap In Disruptive Behavior
    • Family Disadvantage and the Gender Gap
    • What might interrupt men's suicide?
    • As Women Take Over a Male-Dominated Field, the Pay Drops
    • The Cost of Caring
    • Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
    • Age of Entry to Kindergarten and Children’s Academic Achievement
    • The Effect of Age at School Entry on Reading Achievement Scores
    • Beyond the Pros and Cons of Redshirting
    • Self- Control and the Developing Brain
    • Importance of Sex Differences in Impulse Control and Addictions
    • It is a myth that boys lag behind in brain development

    Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 23 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about If Books Could Kill

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny and insightful

They critique some of my favorite books and some of my least favorite too. Well-reseached discussion with a side of humor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing podcast

Michael doing an excellent follow-up to his work on You're Wrong About. Warm, friendly, evidence-centric criticism.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Michael shines here doing what he's best at!

This is great content for those looking for a fact based breakdown of this social phenomenon. It even includes a Pierce Brosnan mention!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The only time I get to laugh at work

Sometimes when I’m sitting at my stupid desk at my stupid job at 5 in the morning on 2hrs sleep waiting for my coffee break, seeing that a new episode dropped is the only thing that keeps me going

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dazzling Book Reviews

Always informative… always fun!! I enjoy listening to and from work. Michael Hobbs, I love you!! You too, Peter!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This made my work days fly by and it was hilarious and engaging with wonderful chemistry between Michael and Peter. Definitely feel like checking out their other podcasts

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great stuff

It doesn't hurt to take a critical look at the books that hold value in our society. Sociology is a really complicated subject and boiling it down to a few statistics in a book doesn't always work, even when it's neatly packaged. The show is funny in addition to educational which is my favorite kind of podcast.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wow

Love all these podcasts. I know this isn't a podcast regarding reproductive rights but it would have been for Michael to mention that indigenous women are still having forced sterilization as well as other women in the present day here in the US. It isn't a past issue for us or the rest of the world sadly. I love how you guys can make me laugh so hard while learning about the most depressing shit. great work keep it up.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well.

I thoroughly enjoy this podcast. I paid for Patreon. Then episodes stopped showing up. I would continue listening and I would restart Patreon, but not if the episodes just stop?!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

.

This is the same superficial tripe they are railing about . Tearing apart a 25 year old book . Pseudo intellectual drivel . Don’t waste your time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!