Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with author James Carter about his book Champions Day. A book that took me out of my comfort zone, this was a phenomenal story that I'm glad I found. A snapshot of a day's events in Shanghai, Champions Day was a horseracing event that brought all. What makes this book hard to put down is the fact it is November 12, 1941. Political, social and global unrest are afoot, all while the socialites do their best to ignore it. A unique and engrossing read, I recommend it to all.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Eric Jay Dolin about his book A Furious Sky. This is a comprehensive history of America's Hurricanes and their aftermath. Dolin gives us the macro view of what makes hurricanes and their history but also brings us down to the personal level, recounting heart-wrenching tales of loss. A layman's view of the science behind these phenomenal weather events also makes this book enjoyable but more importantly understandable and digestible. A great informative and touching read.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Heather Ann Thompson about her book Blood in the Water. This is one of the most impactful books I have read in a long time, Blood in the Water stick with you for good. It is hard to understand how this event took place and even more horrifying is the length of time it took for the people involved to get justice or whatever measure of that they actual received. Required reading by all is how I feel about this book and I hope you will.

Matt Crawford speaks with Arianna Neuman about her book When Time Stopped. This is the powerful and emotional story of Arianna's family and what they did to survive Nazi occupation in Prague. Also a detective story because this was a history that was hidden from Arianna growing up. Arianna grows up not knowing she is Jewish or the fact that her father escaped the Nazi death machine by faking his identity and going right to Berlin to hide under the Hitler's nose. I dare you to put this one down folks.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Jonathan Horn about his book Washington's End. Most of us think we know all we need to regarding our first president. However, a chapter of Washington's life has been excluded from most history books and left us in the dark regarding his "retirement." Jonathan Horn is the just the author to illuminate this dark spot in history and share what should have been a peaceful and bucolic finish to a storied life. A fantastic and illuminating read that I cannot recommend enough.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Tom Zoellner about his book Island on Fire. This is a thought provoking book that covers a slave uprising in Jamaica 30 years before our Civil War. A harbinger of things to come this should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding the rotten seed of slavery took root and how one nation eradicated it. Very impactful indeed.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Howard Blum about his book, Night of the Assassins. The unbelievable untold story of Hitler's attempt to assassinate the big three at a summit in Tehran. A specially trained team led by The Most Dangerous Man in Europe is on the hunt to level the playing field. FDR's safety is in the hands of his newly minted head of security, a 31 year old Mike Reilly quite literally has the outcome of the war on his broad shoulders. Howard Blum delivers yet again.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Noe' Alvarez about his book Spirit Run. This is an emotional raw and honest book about belonging and spirituality. A son of immigrants who is struggling to find his place in the world and who he wants to be in that world, this is an introspective book that holds up a mirror to our current society. Alvarez uses words like a brush and transports us to his childhood community and takes us along for his run. A book that needs to be read, I hope you all will.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Stephen Coss about his book The Fever of 1721. This is the story of a smallpox epidemic that revolutionized medicine as a political fever raged as well. A year that truly shaped the men who would be at the forefront of the American Revolution, 1721 was pivotal for many reasons. Cotton Mather, James and Benjamin Franklin, Zabdiel Boylston are just some of the amazing men contained within. A truly riveting book that should be read by all.

In this episode, Matt Crawford speaks with author and poet J. Chester Johnson about his book Damaged Heritage. This is an amazing story of reconciliation between a black woman and a white man. Johnson writes about his loving grandfather who raised him and then learning that the same man had participated in the Elaine Race Massacre. Chester then connects with a descendant of that massacre. Truly impactful and moving this is a book that begs to be read now more now than ever.