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John Peel's Olivetti Chronicles and the Miracle of Castel Di Sangro by Joe McGinnis


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In this episode of This Bit’s Brilliant, the Music and Sport Book podcast, Simon Elliott and Paul Ging discuss two significant books: 'The Olivetti Chronicles' by John Peel and 'The Miracle of Castel de Sangro' by Joe McGinniss. 

They explore how dry and funny John Peel was, how The Olivetti Chronicles reflects that and how Peel music and the BBC to this day. Paul met him once and wasn’t disappointed by the man. They also chat briefly about Good Night and Good Riddance, the brilliant book by David Cavanagh about John Peel

The conversation shifts to Joe McGinniss’s journey with a tiny Italian football team, Castel Di Sangro, detailing the challenges they face as they unexpectedly climb the Italian football ladder to the giddy heights of Serie B. Simon talks about how he picked the book for the show because he still remembered his first reading of it more than 20 years ago. The book tells a funny, fascinating and heartbreaking story about one season in an Italian town.

The episode concludes with regular cultural recommendations and why you should try the movie Bear Island with Donald Sutherland and also dive into the music of Fats Domino.

Keywords: John Peel, Olivetti Chronicles, Joe McGinniss, Castel de Sangro, music history, football literature, book recommendations, podcast, music influence, sports storiesnarratives.

takeaways

  • John Peel was a significant figure in music broadcasting.

  • The Olivetti Chronicles showcases John Peel's unique humor.

  • Joe McGuinness's book highlights the struggles of a small football club.

  • Embedded journalism can provide deep insights into local cultures.

  • John Peel's influence continues through modern radio stations like Six Music.

  • The Miracle of Castel de Sangro is a touching story about football.

  • Music and sports often intersect in unexpected ways.

  • Personal anecdotes can enrich the understanding of cultural figures.

  • The challenges faced by small teams reflect broader societal issues.

  • Fats Domino's music remains influential and enjoyable.

  • titles

    • Exploring the Legacy of John Peel

    • The Heart of Football in Castel de Sangro

    • John Peel: A Champion of Unique Music

    • Sound Bites

      • "John Peel was a champion of out there music."

      • "He was emotionally invested in the music."

      • "John Peel's dry humor is unforgettable."

      • "Football is a gateway to culture."

      • "Joe McGinniss tells the story beautifully."

      • "The Miracle of Castel de Sangro is a classic."

      • "Fats Domino's music is a treat to listen to."

      • Chapters

        00:00

        Introduction to the Show and Books Discussed

        04:49

        The Influence of John Peel on Music

        09:47

        John Peel's Legacy and Personal Anecdotes

        14:48

        Exploring the Olivetti Chronicles

        17:47

        The Miracle of Castel de Sangro Overview

        24:12

        Joe McGuinness and His Journey in Football

        29:54

        The Challenges Faced by Castel di Sangro

        35:09

        Final Thoughts and Recommendations

        ...more
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        This bit's brilliantBy sielliott