Thecuriousmanspodcast

In this episode Matt Crawford speak with New York Times best selling author Sam Kean about his book The Bastard Brigade. This is the unbelievable true story of efforts the U.S went to in trying to prevent the Nazi's from acquiring an atomic bomb. Kean uses his background in science and his prose as a writer to explain the Nazi and Allied atomic program in a way that is educational, horrifying and down right riveting. This is a hard one to put down folks, I highly recommend it.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Jeremy Zallen about his book American Lucifers: The Dark History of Artificial Light; 1750-1865. This book connects the sources of light from the early 19th century to the industries it illuminated and to the lives it shaped. Zallen connects whalers to crime in a newly brightened London and the making of candles to slave plantations in the south. A truly thought provoking read this book will stoke your thought in a unique way. I highly recommend it!

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to author J.L Bell about his book The Road to Concord. Like a historical detective J.L Bell tracks down four cannon that were the spark that ignited the first battle of America's War of Independence. This book captures the events and emotions prior to our fight for Independence and it's climax in the theft of these Cannon and why they were so important. John delves into the personal mindset of the individuals and brings you back in time for a truly engrossing read.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to New York Times best selling author Karen Abbott about her book The Ghosts of Eden Park. This is the true story of the most successful bootlegger in American history and that is probably the tamest detail in the entire book. Better than fiction because it is true this book is simply impossible to put down. Please listen to the interview and then go and treat yourself and buy this book!

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to Journalist and New York Times best selling author Maureen Callahan about her book American Predator. This is the unbelievable story of a prolific serial killer that most people have never heard of. His crimes spanned over a decade and across the entire United States. Do not look this up! Listen to the interview and then read this gripping and chilling book. An engrossing book that is impossible to put down!

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to author Jacob Shell about his book Giants of the Monsoon Forest. Deep in the jungles of Burma Jacob Shell takes us inside the world of man and elephant and their symbiotic relationship. Elephants have been used by man for centuries to help with manual labor and this book delves deep into that relationship. An intimate view of elephants that will surely change your view of these beautiful but mystical creatures.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to author Anna Lisa Cox about her book The Bone and Sinew of the Land. Anna Lisa Cox documents the first great migration of free black pioneers who settled the Northwest Territory before the Civil War. These black pioneers were free, wealthy land owners who had the right to vote and even elected the first black man to political office. A heartbreaking story of freedom won and slowly stolen back this is a book that needs to be read and a story that needs to be shared.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to Christina Thompson about her book Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia. This is an amazing book about how the Polynesians managed to navigate the Pacific without instruments, maps or even having a written language. Colonizing the remotest islands in the Pacific until the arrival of Europeans explorers they were the only people to have ever lived there. A story that is fun to read and needs to be told this is one of those lessons we all should have learned in school.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Christian di Spigna about his book Founding Martyr. In this in depth book Di Spigna covers the life of a man whose influence still echoes throughout our lives. What would this country look like if not for Dr. Joseph Warren? It is a hypothetical that requires some thought when weighed against Warren's achievements and contributions to the early Revolution. A truly amazing man and a fantastic book. Please read!

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with NYT best selling author Norman Ohler about his book Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich. In this amazing and until now untold story, Ohler exposes the Nazis as speed freaks and the Blitzkrieg fueled by a pill called Pervitin. It turns out the German army wasn't fueled by superior training as touted but by methamphetamine! This story is almost too outlandish to believe. Ohler lays it all out there for us in a thoroughly enjoyable read. Hard to put down. Read it!