Dive into the captivating story of the "Star Wars" radio dramas, exploring their creation and the significant impact they had on NPR. Authors Maria Jose Tenuto and John Tenuto highlight the crucial role of writer Brian Daley, whose talent and connection to the "Star Wars" universe were instrumental in the success of these audio productions. Find ou…

Author Donna Tesiero shares insights into her book, "A Revolutionary Woman: Elizabeth Freeman and the Abolition of Slavery in the North." Tesiero details Freeman's journey from enslavement in New York to her pivotal role in abolishing slavery in Massachusetts through a groundbreaking court case. The conversation explores the stark differences in th…

In this compelling episode, author Susan Herrick shares her deeply personal journey and insights from her book, "Slow Dancing with the Devil: A Son's Substance Use Disorder, A Mother's Anguish." Susan bravely discusses her son Luke's battle with substance use disorder, stemming from prescribed pain medication after a severe accident, and the lack o…

In this episode, Barry David Horowitz and Jason Norman discuss their 2024 book, 'Wrestling Is My Gimmick: My Life on the Wrong Side of the Three-Count.' They delve into the book's creation and share entertaining stories from Barry's career as a professional wrestler, particularly his experiences as a 'jobber.'" LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPART Rece…

In this episode, Mark Perzel speaks with J.C. Bernthal, the author of "Agatha Christie: A Companion to the Mystery Fiction," a comprehensive guide to the life and work of the world's most famous mystery writer. In this interview, Bernthal discusses Agatha Christie's life, work, and her enduring popularity. He shares his experiences as a Christie fa…

Mark Perzel hosts a conversation with Elizabeth Blackstock and Alanis King about their book, "Racing with Rich Energy." Delve into the wild world of Formula One racing and its intersection with a controversial energy drink company. The authors, drawn to motorsports through vastly different paths, share how they uncovered the questionable dealings o…

This episode features a conversation with David McKay and Kate St. Vincent Vogl about the book, "Iron Horse Cowgirls," which chronicles the lives of Louise Scherbyn and other women motorcyclists in the 1930s and 40s. Find out how the discovery of a collection of photographs inspired the book and shaped the narrative. McKay and Vogl detail Scherbyn'…

Host Mark Perzel sits down with Josiah Lebowitz to discuss his book, "So You’ve Landed in a Fantasy World: How to Survive and Thrive." Do you know what a Fantasy Verse is? Basically, it's like a huge, interconnected universe where all your favorite fantasy stories and worlds live! From Tolkien's Middle-earth to the world of Final Fantasy, Lebowitz …

In this episode, host Mark Perzel interviews Phil Roycraft, author of The Plot to Perpetuate Slavery: How George McClellan, Southern Spies and a Confidence Man Nearly Derailed Emancipation. Roycraft reveals how General McClellan, despite leading the Union Army, secretly worked to undermine President Lincoln's efforts to end slavery. The conversatio…

Featuring Douglas J. Butler, author of "North Carolina Civil War Monuments: An Illustrated History." Butler discusses the origins, evolution, and significance of Civil War monuments across North Carolina, providing insights into the commemorative efforts that began immediately after the war. He delves into the roles of groups like the Ladies Memori…

This episode features a fascinating conversation with Tom Jerman, author of "Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers." The discussion explores the origins and evolution of Santa, touching on the traditions and diverse figures that have inspired the iconic holiday character. Jerman shares insights into ancien…

In this episode, Mark welcomes dog historian Brian Patrick Duggan to discuss his journey writing about dogs and his role as editor for the McFarland series, Dogs in Our World, a scholarly book series devoted to the exploration of the unique relationship between dogs and humankind in history, society and culture. From captivating tales of Salukis in…

Dive into the magic behind "How to Train Your Dragon!" This episode features Erik Heine, author of "The Music of How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy." He shares insights on composer John Powell's dynamic themes and how they shape unforgettable moments across the films. Learn about the craft of film scoring, the unique instruments used, and how musical…

This episode features a discussion with James Arthur Anderson, the author of Methods and Meaning in the Novels of Stephen King. Anderson shares insights into Stephen King’s storytelling, exploring how he taps into universal human emotions, creating suspense and weaving deeper meanings into his horror novels. Anderson also highlights his own approac…

In this episode, Scott Drebit, author of "A Cut Below: A Celebration of B Horror Movies, 1950s-1980s," shares with Mark Perzel his lifelong fascination with horror films. Scott recalls his early exposure to the genre, starting at age six with the film "Burnt Offerings," and how the rise of video stores in the 80s revolutionized his passion for horr…

Celebrating one of McFarland's local Ashe County authors, Mark interviews retired nurseryman and former volunteer steward of Bluff Nature Preserve, Doug Munroe. Doug is a tree hugger through and through and his love for them is contagious. Listen to his stories of trees unique to the Appalachians and how they impact the history and future of the ar…

In this episode, Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown, the daughter of baseball hall-of-famer Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, shares heartfelt stories about her father and her journey in writing a memoir to honor his life, his humble nature, and his dedication to family and education. She reflects on his career in the Negro Leagues, the challenges he faced during the …

EPISODE SUMMARY Clint Lanier and Mark Perzel discuss the life and experiences of Ted Mack, focusing on his journey from a sharecropper's son in Alabama to a social worker and civil rights activist in Milwaukee, and eventually to the business world where he pursued his dream of owning a brewery. They highlight Ted's involvement in the civil rights m…

SUMMARY Mark interviews Lloyd Johnson and Miles Wolff, co-authors of "The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball," which documents minor league baseball's historical and statistical aspects. Lloyd and Miles discuss the evolution of the sport, the significance of the 1939 season for Tommy Lasorda, and the broader historical context of minor leagues i…

Jim De La Rosa shares his compelling narrative in 'Building the Apollo Capsules,' chronicling the evolution of his career in aerospace engineering and his crucial role in the Moonshot program. From working on Hound Dog cruise missiles to testing Apollo's unmanned capsules, Delarosa provides a detailed account of the rigorous testing procedures that…

SUMMARY This podcast episode features an interview with Maria Kaj, the author of "Women and the Olympic Dream: The Continuing Struggle for Equality, 1896–2021." Maria talks about the long and ongoing fight for gender equality in the Olympics, celebrating the progress made while acknowledging the barriers that still exist. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BE…

SUMMARY Step into the world of 'I Fart in Your General Direction: Flatulence in Popular Culture' and discover the surprising influence of flatulence in books and movies. From medieval literature to contemporary comedies, author Don Corrigan takes a lighthearted but informative approach to exploring the role of farts in popular culture. Delve into t…

In this episode, host Mark Perzel has a conversation with Ryan B. Case, the author of Mr. Bojangles, Dance: Jerry Jeff Walker, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Song That Made Nixon Cry. Join us as we dive into the fascinating story behind this iconic song and the lives it touched. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPART Receive a 25% discount on Ryan's book on M…

Host Mark Perzel has a conversation with David Yamane, author of Gun Curious, as he shares his personal experience and exploration of America's complicated gun culture and offers valuable perspectives on the reasons behind firearms ownership while addressing the issues and concerns associated with gun violence. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPART Rece…

In this pilot episode of Best Part of the Book, a personal nod is given to the small rural town of Ashe County where McFarland has called home since it was founded in 1979. Host Mark Perzel talks with Janet Pittard, author of A Hospital for Ashe County: Four Generations of Appalachian Community Health Care. Janet shares favorite stories she uncover…

You can explore a wide-range of topics and preview books you might want to read on Best Part of the Book, a McFarland podcast. I'm Mark Perzel and I'll be your host on a journey through the fascinating world of nonfiction books published by McFarland. Founded in 1979, McFarland & Company is best known for their serious treatment of popular culture.…