Conversations with Jerome Charyn, edited by Sophie Vallas

Conversations with Jerome Charyn provides a fascinating and insightful look inside Charyn's work through his own words -- arguably the most interesting writer alive today. There is no one quite like Charyn -- the depth of the work across several genres is unparalleled.

Yet, while he is a bestseller in France, he is not widely known among American readers, which is pitiful. This is an American artist that should be heralded and studied -- his work transformed historical fiction, detective fiction, and the memoir.

Editor Sophie Vallas should be recognized for pulling the Conversations book together and her diligence in studying Charyn. Her interviews with the author contained in the book demonstrate a deep commitment to understanding this important writer. I appreciate the University of Mississippi publishing this series. I look forward to this book coming out in paperback, which will make it more affordable and widely available.

Sergeant Salinger by Jerome Charyn

If you love great literature, do yourself a favor and pick up a book by Charyn. I recommend Sergeant Salinger, his latest.

John Updike: Pennsylvania Roots on the Updike Podcast

John Updike was born in Pennsylvania in 1932. Much of his early work, including the famed Rabbit novels and many critically acclaimed short stories were set in the state. Examining Updike's PA roots is important in understanding his development as a writer and how that output shaped his "writerly" life. 

I share snippets of a 1983 Updike speech in which he discusses many of these Pennsylvania connections and why he chose to dedicate his artistic life to "middles."

On another note...

I am incredibly honored to feature the fantastic piano piece, called "Swing Of The Hip," written and performed by Evan Palazzo. Evan is the band leader and pianist of The Hot Sardines, the group he and front woman, singer extraordinaire Elizabeth Bougerol created to play the great jazz classics of a century ago, as well as their own original recordings. If you love jazz, you should be listening to The Hot Sardines. Or, once live music kicks off again, see them at one of their many global tour stops. I guarantee seeing THS live is a concert experience you will never forget! For my money, The Hot Sardines are simply the best jazz band playing today!

For more information about The Hot Sardines, visit them online at www.hotsardines.com or at Facebook or Instagram where many thousands of followers gather to get the latest news, music, and information about the band.

New Podcast -- John Updike: American Writer, American Life

Over the course of his six-decade career stretching from the 1950s to 2000s, great American writer and novelist John Updike received praise from countless critics, including Christopher Hitchens, who called his scope “rather breathtaking,” and from Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times, who said that Updike “established himself as a major and enduring critical voice; indeed, as the preeminent critic of his generation.”

This Anchor podcast tackles many of the most urgent questions facing literature and pop culture in contemporary America and where culture goes from here. Some episodes will feature interviews with readers, critics, scholars, academics, and other interested in the life and times of John Updike.

Sometimes the show will be funny, other times, sad, but across the board, it will be informative as we interrogate, examine, and analyze the great American author John Updike.

Click on the URL to listen to “John Updike: American Writer, American Life”

"Tristate True Crime" on "Cincy Lifestyle" and WCPO

“Tristate True Crime” on WCPO’s Cincy Lifestyle

Join cultural historian Bob Batchelor as he presents “Tristate True Crime” bi-monthly on WCPO’s Cincy Lifestyle, airing weekdays at 10 a.m. The segment by the award-winning author airs on Tuesdays.

Batchelor’s first segment — The Rookwood Mad Man — debuted on February 23, 2021. The episode featured a 1888 true crime mystery at Cincinnati’s famous Rookwood Pottery, the art studio that birthed art pottery in the United States.

Please share with other true crime, mystery, history fans! And, look for future episodes on WCPO 9's Cincy Lifestyle!

Holiday Gifts for the Smart Man in Your Life

I am constantly asked for Christmas and holiday gift ideas, particularly hard to shop for men! As a matter of fact, about 75 percent of the books I sign at book festivals, events, and appearances are women buying for the men in their lives. Perhaps it is just the subjects I have written about — Stan Lee, Bob Dylan, Bourbon King George Remus — but still…

In the holiday spirit, I thought I would put together a quick list of potential gifts for your husband, son, brother, cousin, or the other smart men on your holiday shopping list.

Here are several great options, but don’t delay, some of these are time sensitive.

Cool Stuff!

Marvel Unlimited membership — Give your favorite comic book fan access to over 28,000 digital comics. With Marvel Unlimited, he will be able to go deep into the Marvel archives, sampling comic books from when he collected as a kid or keep up with today’s hottest stories. Excelsior!

Hunky Dory Studio — Hunky Dory Studio is owned and operated by Amy Flesher. She says "I make things that are fun and unusual using sophisticated processes and materials. I surround myself with things that make me smile and faces I love that also fit into a “grown-up” décor." Hunky Dory Studio provides you with that unexpected statement piece that is totally unique and an expression of who you are and what (or who) you love...AND, they are always conversation starters!

Pop Octopus — Super cool and one-of-a-kind! Pop Octopus creates screenprinted and painted wall art for your home, den, dungeon or spaceport. Hundreds of phenomenal options, including Marvel, Anthony Bourdain, and many other pop culture icons!

Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination by Brian Jay Jones

One of America’s greatest writers and biographers tackles one of America’s most interesting topics! A must read!

“A rich, anecdotal biography...Whether readers are familiar with Dr. Seuss books or not, they will find this biography absorbing and fascinating.”—Kirkus Reviews

The Iron Sea: How the Allies Hunted and Destroyed Hitler's Warships by Simon Read

A critical aspect of World War II examined by one of the top military historians writing today! A combination of stellar research and crisp, thrilling writing.

Using official war diaries, combat reports, eyewitness accounts and personal letters, Simon Read brings the action and adventure to vivid life. The result is an enthralling and gripping story of the Allied heroes who fought on a watery battlefield.

Warship Builders: An Industrial History of U.S. Naval Shipbuilding 1922–1945 by Thomas Heinrich

Part of the Studies in Naval History and Sea Power series, Heinrich’s book offers a revolutionary way to look at American naval power and the home front effort to win World War II.

"Warship Builders is a brilliantly crafted and impeccably researched book that completely transforms the way in which we should think about the rise of American naval and industrial dominance in the Twentieth Century. Discarding superficial Fordist narratives of standardized mass production, Heinrich reveals the fascinating tale of how the U.S. warship industry managed the highly specialized and complex task of flexible batch production on a scale unparalleled anywhere else on earth. Warship Builders is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Navy, U.S. mobilization in World War II and the triumph of industrial America." --Joseph A. Maiolo, Professor of International History, King's College London, and author of Cry Havoc: How the Arms Race Drove the World to War 1931-1941

Bourbon Lovers!

There are simply not enough bourbon history and bourbon enthusiast books in the world, so my list here leans heavily toward reading, but — trust me — the bourbon lover in your life will dig these gifts!

Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage by Michael R. Veach

Noted bourbon historian Michael R. Veach reveals the true story of bourbon in Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Like the bourbon’s Veach discusses, this book is richly crafted and offers deep insight into America’s foremost spirit!

Whiskey Master Class: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, and More by Lew Bryson

A great book by one of the master’s of the craft! He’s forgotten more about whiskey and bourbon than most of us will ever know…

“Lew Bryson knows more about whiskey than anyone I’ve met. But that’s only one reason to read Whiskey Master Class. He writes with clarity and humor in a way that will engage novices and connoisseurs alike.” — Clay Risen, author of Single Malt: A Guide to the Whiskies of Scotland

Bourbon Flight Board Deco Glass Set — Handmade Bourbon Flight Board from Tipsy Timbers Wood Company is made of sustainable, locally sourced Walnut, Poplar and Cherry. Tipsy Timbers is a wood fabrication studio creating high quality hand crafted wood goods ranging from small home goods to custom furniture.

Finally…

Of course, I must also recommend my book The Bourbon King, the epic life and crimes of “Bootleg King” George Remus.

I’m biased…but don’t just take it from me…

“Forget Al Capone. Forget Bonnie and Clyde and Baby Face Nelson. Let us turn our attention, instead, to one George Remus, the Bourbon King of prohibition…The Bourbon King might as well be the outline of a Netflix or HBO series…All in all, it’s a hell of a story.”
―Washington Independent Review of Books