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Discussed as Voltaire's famous satirical work published in 1759, four years after the Lisbon earthquake, which addressed the philosophical question of how a good God could permit such disasters. The hosts discuss the character Pangloss and the satire of philosophical optimism.

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Explicitly recommended as 'a brilliant book' about Brazil. Dominic mentions he wrote about it in the Sunday Times, and quotes from it describing the chaotic scene of the Portuguese royal family fleeing to Brazil in 1807.

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Referenced as naval novels that Tom hasn't read. Dominic compares Sir Sidney Smith to Jack Aubrey, a character from O'Brian's books, and mentions that if Tom had read them he would know about certain naval/spy experiences.