Tag

History

Fiction, Historical, Writers on Writing

Apr 03: Jennifer Rosner Discusses Once We Were Home

April 3, 2024

National Jewish Book Award Finalist

Once We Were Home with author Jennifer Rosner

Based on true stories of children stolen in the wake of World War II, Jennifer Rosner joins us with her latest historical novel, Once We Were Home.

She raises questions around complicity versus responsibility, the struggle to find identity and belonging, how good intentions often create unforeseen consequences., And what home and family really means.

We also discuss the little-known, true-events that inspired Jennifer’s story including the Germanization of stolen children (Jews and Christians) under Nazi reign. How she kept track of her four key characters, with multiple changing timelines, and name changes. And what presented the author with the most challenge while writing Once We Were Home.

Meet Jennifer Rosner

Jennifer Rosner is the author of the novels Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings, both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award. She also wrote a memoir If a Tree Falls, and the children’s book, The Mitten String, a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable. Jennifer’s short writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Times of Israel, The Massachusetts Review, The Forward, and elsewhere. In addition to writing, Jennifer has taught philosophy, and earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University.

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Essays, History, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Jan 10: Mystery Superfan & Foodie Turns Author

January 10, 2024

Recipes for Murder, 66 Dishes Celebrating Agatha Christie

Recipes for Murder with author Karen Pierce

Karen Pierce knew when she turned author that her book would somehow include food and mystery. She came up with the perfect solution in Recipes for Murder: 66 Dishes that Celebrate the Mysteries of Agatha Christie.

Karen shares what sparked the idea for her debut nonfiction book, sharing a peek into the life of Agatha Christie and the times she lived in. For example, did you know that when Christie went to cocktail parties, she only drank cream? And what about the burning question that many consider an unanswered mystery: What really happened when Christie herself mysteriously disappeared?

Superfan Karen Pierce did intense research for Recipes for Murder, and shares her insight on that and more today.

About Karen Pierce

Karen Pierce is a detective-fiction doyenne, food lover, and Agatha Christie Superfan. She’s made pilgrimages to Torquay and Greenway House, Christie’s hometown and home. Karen Pierce also attended and volunteered at several Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Conventions. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Mar 29: NYT Bestselling Author Steve Berry with The Last Kingdom

March 29, 2023
The Last Kingdom with author Steve Berry

Cotton Malone Returns in a Thrill Race around Bavaria

After a brief hiatus Cotton Malone returns, along with his creator, author Steve Berry. As always, Berry found a little-known story in history, and spun his new thriller around that — in this case, the hunt for The Last Kingdom.

We discuss the real life person behind the historical search for The Last Kingdom, King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Berry shares his love of Bavaria and why he waited so long to write an adventure set there, some of the history of Bavaria, and how he separated fact from fiction in his storytelling. We also learn what’s coming next from this prolific author, and we won’t have to wait long!

About Steve Berry

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of 22 novels, which include: The Last Kingdom, The Omega Factor, and The Kaiser’s Web. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 24: #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author on The Last Odyssey

June 24, 2020

James Rollins blends science, history, and thrills in The Last Odyssey — the 15th of his books in the Sigma series.

We share how James’ travels and some of the history he discovered inspired the story. And separate fact from fiction by exploring where and why he took creative license. We also take a quick look at what’s coming later in 2020 in a book of short fiction stories.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 25 million copies sold.

 

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Creativity, Fiction, History, Writers on Writing

MAR 25: James Rollins & The Last Odyssey

March 25, 2020

Vicki welcomes back for the fourth time #1 New York Times Bestselling author James Rollins to discuss the 15th novel in his popular Sigma Force series.  Blending historical fact and science fiction with the suspense of a thriller, The Last Odyssey is described as the thinking readers fiction.

Today we’ll talk about how some of the history and James’ travels inspired the story.  We’ll also separate a little fact from fiction, and take a sneak peek at a new book of short fiction coming later in the year.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 25 million copies sold.  A practicing veterinarian, Rollins has pursued scuba, spelunking, and other adventures around the world, and currently lives and writes in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

 

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Fiction, History, Writers on Writing, Young Adult Fiction

MAR 04: Sharon Cameron with The Light in Hidden Places

March 4, 2020

With World War II Poland as a backdrop, The Light in Hidden Places is based on the extraordinary true story of Stefania Podgorska, a teenage girl who made the choice to hide 13 Jews in the attic, while two Nazis requisitioned the house below them.  Author Sharon Cameron took a hands-on approach to her research, stepping foot into the places and experiences of one of the most troubling times in world history.  As memories dwindle, Sharon emphasizes the importance of carrying history forward through storytelling, and shares where, how, and why she took creative license in telling this remarkable story.

Sharon Cameron is a multiple award-winning author, and the #1 NYT bestselling author of The Dark Unwinding, A Spark Unseen, Rook, The Forgetting, and The Knowing. 

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Arts, History, Non Fiction, Women's Issues

JAN 29: Women in Film – Hollywood, Her Story

January 29, 2020

Women in film, Hollywood Her StoryWhen the 2020 Academy Award nominations were announced, many said women in film are finally breaking through. Today’s guests say “No, they’re making a comeback!”

Co-authors Barbara Bridges and Jill S. Tietjen discuss how women helped found the movie industry – a time when they ran silent movie studios and held positions of power. When a female director, and an actress, were paid more than any man in the business.

We explore when and why that changed. Why it’s important we have more female representation in the industry. How they collaborated during the writing process. And snippets from their beautiful book Hollywood, Her Story: An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies.

Jill S. Tietjen is an author, speaker, and electrical engineer. One of the top historians on women in the U.S., Jill is inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and her work has won many awards.  Entrepreneur Barbara Bridges cofounded Women+Film to bring audiences together with films by, and about, women. The Denver Post named her as one of Colorado’s Top Thinkers in Arts and Culture.

 

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Humor, Non Fiction, Personal Development

SEP 03: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

August 22, 2018

From Jeopardy! champion and  New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings comes a history of humor.  From fart jokes on clay Sumerian tablets all the way up to the latest Twitter gags and Facebook memes, Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture tells the story of how comedy came to rule the modern world.

Since his record-breaking Jeopardy! streak, Ken has become a best-selling author and has appeared in numerous ads.  He is a frequent speaker at college campuses and corporate events.

Later, it helps to be creative to be considered a genius, but you don’t have to be a genius to be creative.  In The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time, author Allen Gannett disproves the notion that creativity is limited to the brilliant few who possess a certain gift, showing how anyone is capable of turning their genius idea into reality.

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE.  He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.

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Humor, Non Fiction, Personal Development

JUN 25: Ken Jennings’ Planet Funny & Allen Gannett’s The Creative Curve

June 10, 2018

From Jeopardy! champion and  New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings comes a history of humor.  From fart jokes on clay Sumerian tablets all the way up to the latest Twitter gags and Facebook memes, Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture tells the story of how comedy came to rule the modern world.

Since his record-breaking Jeopardy! streak, Ken has become a best-selling author and has appeared in numerous ads.  He is a frequent speaker at college campuses and corporate events.

Later, it helps to be creative to be considered a genius, but you don’t have to be a genius to be creative.  In The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time, author Allen Gannett disproves the notion that creativity is limited to the brilliant few who possess a certain gift, showing how anyone is capable of turning their genius idea into reality.

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE.  He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.

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Conservation

JAN 01: Woodland Zoo, Its Animals & People

January 1, 2018

It’s a zoo at Conversations Live with northwest naturalist, John Bierlein.  Today we’ll learn the story behind a Seattle icon, and share how the people and animals of Woodland Park Zoo shaped its history. We’ll also discover how zoos can help people and animals connect, and hear about some of the 35 conservation projects that Woodland is currently managing.

John Bierlein began his career at Discovery Park more than 40 years ago, and was involved with the design of Woodland Park Zoo for 20 years. Bierlein wrote Woodland: The Story of the Animals and People of Woodland Park Zoo as a continuation of the work done by longtime zoo colleague, Dana Payne.

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