WASHINGTON — He’s one of the most respected movie critics in the nation.

Now, A.O. Scott of The New York Times details why critics matter in his new book, “Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think About Art, Pleasure, Beauty and Truth.”

The book examines the role of movie criticism in today’s society and explores everything from his infamous pan of “The Avengers” to his glowing adoration of Pixar’s “Ratatouille.”

Published by Penguin Press, the book has seen great reviews since hitting the shelves on Feb. 9.

Publisher’s Weekly called it a “stunning treatise on criticism” and a “necessary work that may enter the canon of great criticism” while “comprehensively demonstrating the value of his art.”

Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews called it “impassioned and deeply thoughtful” that is a “zealous and well-considered work of advocacy for an art too often unappreciated and misunderstood.”

But why take other publications’ word for it when you can hear from Scott himself?

The famed movie critic joined WTOP’s Shawn Anderson and Hillary Howard to discuss the book.

Hear the full interview below: