In this episode, we are joined by teacher, polymath, economist (trained) and dear friend, Christopher Weinberg.

In the first part of the episode, Chris dissects the book Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency, by Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes. He covers the campaigns within the campaigns, polling and media coverage of the election.

In the second part of this episode, Jacob reflects on the book Let them Eat Tweets by Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson. He tackles some tough questions around the fate of the American empire, inequality, entrenched political power(s) and polarisation.

In this episode, Amal and Jacob discuss the two books that have left a lasting impression on their thinking or their relationship to books, relationships and life.

In the Tyranny of Merit, Michael Sandel argues that the situation in the US that has led to much discontent can be traced to the state of inequality and the attitudes of elites towards their success. Sandel argues that there is a view amongst elites that success is down to their own hard work and attitude, and cannot be attributed to luck or structural systems. Inversely, unsuccessful people are responsible for their own circumstances. The book cuts across many disciplines.

The Giles street duo, Jacob Kamateros and Amal Varghese tackle such heady issues such as the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jnr's legacy and African-Americans' fight for racial equality in the United States.

The Giles street duo, Jacob Kamateros and Amal Varghese discuss their reading competition, what books they enjoyed in 2018 and what you can expect in successive podcasts!

The Giles street duo discuss their favourite books and podcasts over a few beers.