Blythe Holbrooke discusses her book, “Gossip” which she describes as informal communication. Blythe states that people gossip, but do not truly understand the politics of talk. Ultimately, bad rumors can destroy lives. The book describes how...
Toni Bernay discusses her book, “When It’s Cancer.” She begins by explaining how important it is for the cancer patient and their loved ones to focus on being proactive. She emphasizes that there are so many options presented to the cancer...
Human evolution; Social evolution; Nature - Effect of human beings on
Jared Diamond discusses his book, "The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal." The book encompasses the history of evolution from the Neanderthals, "tree of human life," and "last first contact." He writes that humans are...
Public schools - United States - Case studies; Gretchen Whitney High School (Cerritos, Calif.)
Edward Humes discusses his book, “School of Dreams.” He begins by explaining that the book is an exploration of successful American schools. To write the book Edward Humes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, spent a year at Gretchen Whitney...
Indianapolis (Cruiser); World War, 1939-1945 - Naval operations, American; Shipwrecks - Pacific Ocean
Peter Maas discusses Richard F. Newcomb’s book, “Abandon Ship!” He begins by explaining how the book is about the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis naval cruiser in Japanese waters on July 29, 1945. Maas compares the book to a Greek...
Hollis Norton discusses his book, “How to Make It When You’re Cash Poor.” He begins by stressing the importance of having a good lawyer when a person is investing in real estate. He gives tips on how to find a good lawyer, a good...
Inheritance and succession - Fiction; War correspondents - Fiction; Women journalists - Fiction; Single mothers - Fiction; Pregnant women - Fiction; Surgeons - Fiction; Los Angeles (Calif.) - Fiction; Sierra Leone - Fiction
Maria T. Lennon discusses her novel, “Making It Up As I Go Along.” She begins by explaining that the book is about a woman who moves from southern California to Africa. She talks about the importance of friendship between new mothers and how...
Sex (Psychology); Sexual excitement; Sexual attraction
Julius Fast discusses his book, “Sexual Chemistry.” He begins by explaining that his book is in the first draft but is getting published soon. He looks at how and why people fall in love with one another. He talks about how to attract...
Munchausen syndrome by proxy - Fiction;
African American women physicians - Fiction
Darin Strauss discusses his novel, “More Than It Hurts You.” He begins by explaining that his book is about a woman who suffers from Munchausen Syndrome which causes her to harm her child to get attention. He talks about the power struggle...
African American women - Fiction;
Los Angeles (Calif.) - Fiction
Yolanda Barnes discusses her novel, “When It Burned to the Ground.” She begins by explaining her book is about a street preacher who lives in a bad neighborhood. She discusses the overall themes in the book of downfall and decay. She talks...
George P. Fletcher discusses his book, “Loyalty.” He begins by explaining that his book is a collection of essays on religious beliefs in the judicial system. He talks about how people stay true to their beliefs when a court has divided...
Spiritual life; Lyme disease - Patients - United States - Biography; Surfers - United States - Biography; Kotler, Steven, 1967 - Travel
Steven Kotler discusses his book, “West of Jesus.” He begins by sharing the story of his struggle with Lyme disease and its effect on him spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Kotler explains how it was this struggle that led him to take up...
Nicholas Kublicki discusses his book, “The Diamond Conspiracy.” He begins by stating that diamonds themselves are neither good nor bad and that it is the diamond business and diamond cartels that lead to questions of good and bad. He then...
Motion pictures - Casting - United States; Television programs - Casting - United States
Rob Kendt discusses his book, “How They Cast It.” He begins by explaining what “break down services” are and how casting directors are trying to unionize. He explains that casting directors are the unsung heroes of film and television. He...
World War, 1939-1945 - Singapore - Fiction; Singapore - History - Japanese occupation, 1942-1945 - Fiction
Vyvyane Loh discusses her book, “Breaking the Tongue.” She begins by explaining the plot of the book that revolves around the torture of the protagonist, Claude, by Japanese interrogators during which Claude shares the story of his life. She...
Bill Bryan discusses his book, “Keep It Real.” He begins by commenting on the similarities between the book’s plot and some major modern television shows. He then details the plot of the novel which follows the protagonist Ted who over hears...
Presidential candidates - Fiction; Assassination - Fiction; Intelligence service - Fiction; Political crimes and offenses - Fiction
Gary H. Grossman discusses his novel, “Executive Actions.” He begins by explaining the role of Russian sleeper agents in America and how many have stayed in the United States after The Cold War. He also talks about how Andropov University set...
Great Britain - Fiction; London (England) - Fiction; Editors - Fiction; Composers - Fiction; Foreign ministers - Fiction; Political corruption - Fiction
Ian McEwan discusses his novel, “Amsterdam.” He details the plot, which begins with the death of photographer/restaurant critic, Molly Lane. Molly’s death leads her many friends and lovers to ponder their own mortality. Two of her former...
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827 - Relics; Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827 - Death and burial; Hiller, Ferdinand, 1811-1885
Russell Martin discusses his book, “Beethoven’s Hair.” He begins by explaining how his book is a non-fiction account that follows how a lock of 18th century composer Ludwig Van Beethoven’s hair ended up where it is today. Dr. Alfredo...
Older people - United States - Interviews; Older people - United States - Attitudes; Social participation - United States - Case studies; Self-actualization (Psychology) in old age - United States - Case studies
Studs Terkel discusses his book, “Coming of Age: The Story of Our Century by Those Who’ve Lived it.” Martinson begins by stating that Terkel went around the country talking to people over the age of 70 about aging. Terkel then talks about...
