Our guest today is the author of one of the most lauded books of 2021, the superb Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe. One of the awards it garnered last year was the highly prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction and one of the judges on the panel last year was our own Dr Helen Czerski, so this week we've handed over the solo reigns of the podcast to Helen. She talks to Patrick about the book, the research, the threats, legal and beyond and how the Sacklers are an example of an entirely broken system.  Extended version and other goodies for podcast supporters at patreon.com/bookshambles

Patrick Radden Keefe

Using books as a jumping off point, hosts Josie Long and Robin Ince and a different special guest each week, dive into interesting, passionate and shambolic discussions.  Part of the Cosmic Shambles Network.

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In the first new episode in a while Robin and Josie chat to author Lucy Nichol about her latest book, 'Don't Call Me Snowflake'.  Please note this episode contains discussions around the topics of mental health and suicide.  This is an abridged version. Patreon subscribers get an extended version. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles.

Lucy Nichol

Today is the day that Robin Ince's new book, Bibliomaniac, hits shelves around the UK so today's episode is a recording of the book's launch event which took place in East London on October 4th. Robin talks about the book and, well, a million other things because he was quite tired.  This is an abridged version. A full filmed edition will be available for Patreon subscribers next week with an extra 30 minutes of material. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles.

Robin Ince's Bibliomaniac Launch Event

On today's episode, Robin is joined by the multi award winning novelist Kamila Shamsie. They chat about her new novel Best of Friends, as well as how she knew from an early age she wanted to be a writer, letting go of books once they're finished and, obviously, the Clint Eastwood western musical Paint Your Wagon.  Hear an extended edition by subscribing at patreon.com/bookshambles

Kamila Shamsie

Sona Movsesian has been Conan O'Brien's personal assistant for over 13 years. By her own admission, she is terrible at her job. She's been a regular on Conan's TV shows, co-hosts his podcast and has now written her first book, World's Worst Assistant. And, as she tells Robin on this week's episode, it's all because she doesn't care. About her job that is, she cares a lot about wrestling and Bridgerton.   To hear and extended edition of this episode, and all episodes really, subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

Sona Movsesian

In the week that actual Liz Truss became the actual Prime Minister of the actual United Kingdom, could there be a more appropriate guest to have on the show this week than political columnist Marina Hyde? She chats to Robin about her new book, What Just Happened, (which is out in a few weeks), trying to be a voice of sanity amongst a world gone insane and why she really should just join the Conservative Party...  An extra 15 minutes of chat this week for Patreons, as well as lots of other goodies and the warm glow you'll get from supporting the show! Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles

Patrick Radden Keefe

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