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Book Salon
Prisoner's Dilemma

  • This month we're reading Prisoner's Dilemma by Richard Powers. Our faculty host is Ari Kelman.

    Listen to an interview with our Book Salon host.

    "It is a beautiful and sharp meditation on the power and nature of human relationships, and a reflection on the ways in which relationships trap, nourish, and define us."

    Ari Kelman, Jim Joseph Chair in Education and Jewish Studies and associate professor of religious studies (by courtesy)

How to Participate

Read the Audio Interview with Professor Ari Kelman

Participate in this month's online discussion and interact with Stanford alumni around the world

About this quarter's book selection


Eddie Hobson Sr., is full of secrets. While attempting to keep his fainting spells hidden from his family, he is in the process of constructing a secret project--a fictitious reality he calls Hobstown. He is certain that Hobstown will save the greater world, and cure his ailments, but his family and their dysfunctional communication style is starting to intercede. Read along as Eddie tries to distract his family from current concerns through riddles and quizzes while historical themes are uncovered in the structure of Hobstown.


The Stanford Book Salon [Seriously Unstuffy]