Tag

Expedition

History, Non Fiction, Travel & Adventure

DEC 01: Brad Ricca with True Raiders

The Untold Story of the 1909 Expedition to Find the Legendary Ark of the Covenant

When author Brad Ricca learned his favorite movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, might have been based on a real life expedition, he felt as though his “… face was melting off.” So maybe it was inevitable that one day he’d dig deeper into the story and write his own book about the true archaeological exploration.

We discuss some of the real life characters from the 1909 event, and how Brad researched the facts (and maybe a few conspiracies). How he chooses what to include and discard when storytelling for nonfiction. And how he managed to climb into the mindset of each character to share their point of view.

About Brad Ricca

The author of the Edgar Award-nominated Mrs. Sherlock Holmes, Olive the Lionheart, and Super Boys, Brad Ricca is also the winner of the Ohioana Book Award for Nonfiction. He won the St Lawrence Book Award for American Mastodon. And his latest book is True Raiders: The Untold Story of the 1909 Expedition to Find the Legendary Ark of the Covenant.

Continue reading
Biography, History, Non Fiction

FEB 03: Icebound with Andrea Pitzer

Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World

“‘Icebound’ takes us back to the Arctic, in all its terror and splendor” — says The New York Times. And today Andrea Pitzer has two true stories to tell. The first about Dutch polar explorer, William Barents, who set sail in the 1500s to find a northern route to China.  The second, her own life-changing journey to sail in Barents’ wake.

We discuss the ancient explorer’s trials and successes during his three Arctic expeditions.  How Andrea sailed a tall ship and spent time high up the mast. How her expedition to the Russian Arctic changed her. And what surprised her the most.

About Andrea Pitzer

Critically acclaimed author Andrea Pitzer is a journalist whose writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Review of Books, The Daily Beast, Vox, and Slate. Her two previous books are One Long Night and The Secret History of Vladimir Nabokov. Her latest is Icebound: Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World.

Continue reading