Best Part of the Book

Mark Perzel talks with author Don M. Fox about his book, "Welcome to Firehouse! Building a Billion Dollar Brand in America’s Most Competitive Industry." Turns out, building a successful restaurant chain isn’t just about the food—it’s branding, culture, timing, and a fair amount of learning things the hard way. Done gets into the early days of Firehouse Subs, what separates a good brand from a great one, and how a sandwich shop ended up saving lives. Worth a listen if you’ve ever wondered what actually goes on behind your favorite place to eat.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/welcome-to-firehouseFEATURED TITLE: Welcome to Firehouse: Building a Billion Dollar Brand in America’s Most Competitive Industry. McFarland, softcover (2026) ISBN: 9781476698670 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/welcome-to-firehouseBOOK DESCRIPTION: After a 27-year journey that began in 1994, Firehouse Subs reached $1 billion in annual system sales for the first time. This culminated in the sale of the company to Restaurant Brands International in 2021, marking the transition of the brand originally started by brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen.In this book, author Don M. Fox (who was CEO of Firehouse Subs for more than 14 years) traces the brand’s development from its founding through its major achievements. It includes insights from other key members inside the organization, detailing strategies, decisions, and internal operations that shaped the company’s growth. It also addresses how Firehouse Subs navigated challenges such as the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Don Fox is the former CEO of Firehouse Subs, having led the brand from 2009 until his retirement in 2023. He was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as 2011’s Operator of the Year, and in 2013, received the prestigious Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association. In 2024, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. He continues to serve on profit and nonprofit boards, including the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and the Army Historical Foundation. www.donmfox.com | www.facebook.com/donmfoxOTHER BOOKS BY DON M. FOX:The Fourth Armored Division Combat Chronology: Patton’s Vanguard in World War II. McFarland, softcover (2026) ISBN: 9781476698502 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-fourth-armored-division-combat-chronologyYou’re a Good Man, Sergeant: The World War II Combat Memoir of an Armored Infantryman in Patton’s Third Army. Edited by Colleen C. Porter and Don M. Fox. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476680095 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/youre-a-good-man-sergeantFinal Battles of Patton’s Vanguard: The United States Army Fourth Armored Division, 1945–1946. McFarland, softcover (2020) ISBN: 9781476680095 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/final-battles-of-pattons-vanguardPatton’s Vanguard: The United States Army Fourth Armored Division. McFarland, softcover (2007 [2003]) ISBN: 9780786430949 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/pattons-vanguardABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, eepurl.com/iPkvx2 or FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE, mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

Mark Perzel talks with author Whitney Harris Wallace about her book, "North Carolina Day Hiking for Every Body: What to Know and Where to Go from the Blue Ridge to the Beaches." Turns out, hiking doesn’t have to involve extreme gear, expert knowledge, or a personality change. They get into what actually counts as a hike, how to get started without overcomplicating it, and a few great places to wander around North Carolina. Worth a listen if you’ve ever thought, “I should get outside more,” and then… didn’t.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/north-carolina-day-hiking-for-every-bodyFEATURED TITLE: North Carolina Day Hiking for Every Body: What to Know and Where to Go from the Blue Ridge to the Beaches. McFarland, softcover (2026) ISBN: 9781476697253 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/north-carolina-day-hiking-for-every-bodyBOOK DESCRIPTION: Blending practical advice, personal stories and historical context, this book highlights North Carolina trails suitable for diverse bodies, experience levels, and abilities—encouraging those who may not see themselves as typical hikers to find their home on the trail. Alongside detailed tips on safety, preparation, and environmental stewardship, the book also emphasizes the benefits of spending time outdoors.From serene coastal paths to shaded mountain trails, hikers are invited to slow down, savor the moment, and find calm and connection in the Tar Heel State’s natural spaces. Whether you are a longtime hiker or are just starting out, this guide encourages everyone to step outside and experience North Carolina’s outdoor delights in a whole new way.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Whitney Harris Wallace has lived, and hiked, throughout the state. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and Forest Therapy Guide. She has also completed the Associate in Wilderness Medicine program through the University of Utah School of Medicine. She lives in Lexington, North Carolina.Instagram @whitneygoeshikingFacebook @Whitney Goes Hikingnorthcarolinadayhikingforeverybody.comOTHER BOOKS BY WHITNEYMama's Quilt and Blizzard the White River Otter by Don Harris, illustrated by Whitney Harris Wallace. Warren Publishing, hardcover. Warren Publishing, hardcover www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p116/Mama%27s_Quilt_and_Blizzard_the_White_River_Otter_by_Don_Harris-Hardcover.htmlABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE, mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

In this episode, Mark Perzel talks with author Robert T. Tally Jr. about his book, The Mismeasure of Orcs, and what it means to rethink one of fantasy’s most familiar “enemy” figures. What begins as a discussion of Tolkien’s orcs becomes a deeper conversation about perspective, dehumanization, and the ways stories shape how we see both heroes and villains. Drawing from Tolkien’s letters and texts, Tally explores the surprising humanity of orcs—and why even Tolkien himself seemed troubled by how they were portrayed. It’s a thoughtful and unexpected look at what happens when we question the assumptions built into the stories we love.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-mismeasure-of-orcsFEATURED TITLEThe Mismeasure of Orcs: A Critical Reassessment of Tolkien’s Demonized Creatures. McFarland, softcover (2025) ISBN: 9781476694351 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-mismeasure-of-orcsBOOK DESCRIPTION: Despite its well-earned reputation as the richest world in fantasy, there exists a notable, troubling problem in Tolkien’s legendarium: the existence of a sentient, rational being for whom no sympathy or moral feeling is ever shown. Examining the origin stories of the orc, which changed over time according to Tolkien’s own worries about whether orcs were “redeemable,” this book endeavors to show that these “inhuman” creatures are, in fact, among the most human (perhaps “all-too-human”) to be found in "The Lord of the Rings." This work discusses racism and class hierarchies in Tolkien’s writings, contexts in which the characterization of orcs is particularly noticeable. But Tolkien’s own writings reveal the nature of orcs to be worthy of sympathy, despite their often dehumanized or demonized depictions. Focusing on key scenes from "The Silmarillion," "The Hobbit," and "The Lord of the Rings," this study uncovers the richly diverse cultures, as well as the distinctive personalities of various orcs, who turn out to be a far cry from the monsters they are taken to be in the popular imagination. A revised understanding of the orcs as a people presents Middle-earth’s history, geopolitics, and cultural anthropology in a new light.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert T. Tally Jr. is a Professor of English at Texas State University. OTHER BOOKS BY TALLYRepresenting Middle-earth: Tolkien, Form, and Ideology. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9780786470372 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/representing-middle-earthThe Fiction of Dread: Dystopia, Monstrosity, and Apocalypse. Bloomsbury, hardcover/softcover (2023) ISBN: 9781501375866 www.bloomsbury.com/us/fiction-of-dread-9781501375866The Critical Situation: Vexed Perspectives in Postmodern Literary Studies. Anthem Press, hardcover (2023) ISBN: 9781839988356 cambridge.org/core/books/critical-situation/7B631E6745DC607B7E35E5E2B6421C47J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit": Realizing History Through Fantasy: A Critical Companion (Palgrave Science Fiction and Fantasy: A New Canon). Palgrave Macmillan, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9783031112652 amazon.com/J-Tolkiens-Hobbit-Realizing-Companion/dp/3031112652For a Ruthless Critique of All That Exists: Literature in an Age of Capitalist Realism. Zer0 Books, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781789048544 www.collectiveinkbooks.com/zer0-books/our-books/for-ruthless-critique-all-that-existsTopophrenia: Place, Narrative, and the Spatial Imagination. Indiana University Press, hardcover/softcover (2018) ISBN: 9780253037664 iupress.org/9780253037664/topophreniaABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, @BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE, mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

Mark Perzel explores Clues: A Journal of Detection, McFarland’s scholarly journal devoted to mystery and detective fiction. Joined by Executive Editor Caroline Reitz and Managing Editor Elizabeth Foxwell, the conversation examines why crime narratives continue to resonate and how academic scholarship deepens our understanding of the genre. From Victorian detective stories to contemporary crime fiction across media, we discuss what makes a compelling mystery endure—and what makes Clues such a rewarding project to shape. It’s a thoughtful look at the cultural and critical importance of studying mystery fiction seriously.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on the latest journal when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout. mcfarlandbooks.com/series/cluesFEATURED SERIES: Clues: A Journal of Detection. McFarland, softcover (published twice yearly).mcfarlandbooks.com/series/cluessites.google.com/site/cluesjournalSERIES DESCRIPTION: With a combination of academic essays and nonfiction book reviews, Clues offers the best scholarship on mystery and detective fiction, covering all aspects of mystery and detective fiction material in print, television and movies. As the only American scholarly journal about mystery fiction, Clues is essential reading for literature and film students and researchers; popular culture aficionados; librarians; and mystery authors, fans and critics around the globe.ABOUT THE EDITORS:Caroline Reitz is Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the CUNY Graduate Center, where she teaches courses on crime fiction from the 19th to the 21st centuries. She serves as Executive Editor of Clues. She is currently editing the Routledge Companion to Arthur Conan Doyle and working on a book about bad sisters in crime fiction.Elizabeth Foxwell is an editor at McFarland, where she edits the McFarland "Companions to Mystery Fiction" series and other historically based works, and serves as Managing Editor of "Clues: A Journal of Detection," the oldest U.S. scholarly journal on mystery, detective, and crime fiction. A cofounder of the mystery convention Malice Domestic and a recipient of both the Agatha Award for Best Short Story and the Dove Award for contributions to the serious study of mysteries, she writes frequently about mystery fiction, including a regular column for "Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine."elizabethfoxwell.comBlog: elizabethfoxwell.blogspot.comBlueSky: @elizfoxwell.bsky.socialFacebook: @elizabeth.foxwell.writereditorOTHER BOOKS BY CAROLINE REITZ:Detecting the Nation: Fictions of Detection and the Imperial Venture. Ohio State University Press, softcover (2004) ISBN: 9780814251355 ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814209820Female Anger in Crime Fiction. Cambridge University Press. ebook (2024) ISBN: 9781009358699. www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/female-anger-in-crime-fiction/D9ED0417F6E1D769B6A96A870BA165FCOTHER BOOKS BY ELIZABETH FOXWELL:McFarland Companions to Mystery Fiction. McFarland, softcover mcfarlandbooks.com/series/mcfarland-companions-to-mystery-fictionThe Robert B. Parker Companion. Penguin Publishing Group, ebook (2005) ISBN: 9781101205181. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-robert-b-parker-companionIn Their Own Words: American Women in World War I. Draft2Digital, ebook (2006) ISBN: 9780870818257. books2read.com/b/3L5Mr7ABOUT MCFARLAND:McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE: mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

Mark Perzel talks with Matthew Wilhelm Kapell about his book, "Broadening Horizon: Essays on Environment, Culture, Identity and Myth in the Game Franchise." What begins with robot dinosaurs and post-apocalyptic storytelling becomes a deeper conversation about ecology, theology, and the cultural power of the stories we play. From “ludic eschatology” to the hero’s journey, Kapell reflects on how games shape the way we imagine both catastrophe and hope.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/broadening-horizonFEATURED TITLE: Broadening Horizon: Essays on Environment, Culture, Identity and Myth in the Game Franchise. McFarland, softcover (2025) ISBN: 9781476691923 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/broadening-horizonBOOK DESCRIPTION: Increasingly, digital games center their narratives during or after the apocalypse. In 2017, the action role-playing game Horizon Zero Dawn offered a new take on society after the end of the world. Horizon has since become a multimedia franchise, with a second video game released in 2022, in addition to comic books, a board game, and other adaptations in development.This collection analyzes the Horizon franchise and its presentation of the apocalypse, ecology, gender, history and more. Game story and game mechanics are fundamental to each essay and contributors offer a close reading—or close playing—of the games from perspectives as diverse as hauntology, postcolonialism, contemporary feminism, and historiography. This first collection on the Horizon franchise argues that we now live in an Apocalyptic period in the same way previous periods were known as Romantic, Modernist or Realist Periods, and makes the case that Horizon belongs at the crest of this new Apocalyptic Period and at the center of contemporary gaming and of game studies.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kapell is an anthropologist and historian, with M.A. degrees in each discipline, and a Ph.D. in American Studies, who specializes in the study of cultural history, media, film, and popular culture. He is a native of Detroit, who lived and taught in Swansea, Wales, California, New York and New Jersey. Kapell is currently residing in New Jersey and teaching at Pace University in Manhattan. He's taught everything from Classics to Genetics but mostly teaches American Studies and Game Studies now. Kapell is also a series editor for the McFarland "Studies in Gaming" series.matthewkapell.comstudiesingaming.comOTHER BOOKS BY KAPELLExploring the Next Frontier: Vietnam, NASA, Star Trek and Utopia in 1960s and 70s American Myth and History (Routledge Advances in American History). Routledge, hardcover, softcover (2016) ISBN: 9781138188570 www.routledge.com/Exploring-the-Next-Frontier-Vietnam-NASA-Star-Trek-and-Utopia-in-1960s-and-70s-American-Myth-and-History/Kapell/p/book/9780367263966mcfarlandbooks.com/series/studies-in-gamingABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE, mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

Zak Ford shares the most memorable, and sometimes hilarious, stories of athletes reaching the big leagues in his book, Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers. From receiving a call up via registered mail to the sensory overload of a 1,000-watt stadium, to the debut home run on a freezing day in Toronto, and a pitcher who finished his career with a perfect 1.000 batting average. You’ll love this heartwarming conversation about the moment a childhood dream finally becomes a reality for your favorite ballplayers.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/called-upFEATURED TITLE: Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers. McFarland, softcover (2023) ISBN: 9781476692791 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/called-upBOOK DESCRIPTION: To reach the majors, a ballplayer must not only possess natural ability and world-class skills but must also overcome nearly insurmountable odds. The journey is not possible without extreme dedication. Along the way mentors play a large role, and circumstances must align. For an elite few, years of effort and perseverance culminate with putting on a big league uniform. Drawing on original interviews with more than 100 players who debuted between 1961 and 2018, this collection presents their first-person stories of how they were called up to play Major League Baseball.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Zak Ford is a former chapter leader with the Society for American Baseball Research and serves on the advisory committee of the Pacific Coast League Historical Society. He prefers human-interest baseball stories over current trends focused on statistical analysis and academic-style research and is a lifelong Giants fan. While he enjoys spending time at any ballpark, he loves exploring National Parks nearly as much. Ford lives in Cameron Park, California, with his wife, two children, dog (Hercules after The Sandlot), and cat (Buster after Buster Posey).zakford.comwww.facebook.com/ZakFordBaseballStoriestwitter.com/zakfordOTHER BOOKS BY ZAKBeyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball. McFarland, softcover (due in 2026) ISBN: 9781476699622 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/beyond-the-last-inningABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have around 8,000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles a year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBookWEBSITE, mcfarlandbooks.com/connect/best-part-of-the-book-podcast

Author Carla Lesh joins Mark Perzel to discuss her book, "Wheels of Her Own: American Women and the Automobile, 1893–1929," uncovering how the early automobile became a powerful tool for liberation and social justice. Explore the stories of women—including Black and Indigenous drivers—who navigated prejudice and broken-down roads to claim their independence. Check out this inspiring look at the bold pioneers who used the driver’s seat to challenge the status quo.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/wheels-of-her-ownFEATURED TITLE: Wheels of Her Own: American Women and the Automobile, 1893–1929. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476672779 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/wheels-of-her-ownBOOK DESCRIPTION: Women used automobiles as soon as they had access to them. Black, Indigenous, and White American women utilized the automobile to improve their quality of life and achieve greater freedom. These women shared unique concerns and common aims as they negotiated their way through a time when advocacy for social change was undergoing a resurgence. The years that brought the automobile to the United States, 1893-1929, also brought increased legal and social restrictions based on racism and gender stereotypes. For women the automobile was a useful tool as they worked to improve their quality of life. The automobile provided a means for Black, Indigenous, and White women to pull away from limitations and work toward greater freedom. Exploring these key issues and more, this book is a history and social exploration of women and the automobile during the early automotive era.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Carla Lesh is an independent historian and archivist living in the Hudson Valley of New York. She received her PhD in transportation history and her MA in public history from the University at Albany and her BA in history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. carlalesh.weebly.comOTHER BOOKS BY CARLA LESHGrist for the Mill: A Novel of the Civil War in Northwest Arkansas. BookBaby, eBook (2024) ISBN: 9798350965841 store.bookbaby.com/book/grist-for-the-mill"Albany, New York, Plot (1793)” entry in Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellions. Greenwood Publishing Group, (2007) ISBN: 978-0313332715 www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Slave-Resistance-Rebellion-volumes/dp/0313332711“Project Row Houses,” Exhibit Review, The Public Historian, Fall 2003ABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBook

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode touches on alcoholism and suicide [20:10, 32:15, 34:02–35:15, 36:09]. Listener discretion is advised.EPISODE SUMMARY: In this very candid and insightful conversation, host Mark Perzel chats with acclaimed composer Daron Hagen about his memoir, "Duet with the Past." The episode explores the "lineage of family" that knits together music history, moving from Hagen’s decision to become a composer at 14 to his encounters with legendary figures like the late Ned Rorem and David Diamond. They discuss the "intimate transaction" of writing for specific performers and the challenges of academic mentorship, which Hagen colorfully describes as "poisonous fruit." A compelling detail from the episode reveals that Hagen hears a constant "storm of music" in his head at all times—even while holding a conversation.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: Receive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/duet-with-the-pastFEATURED TITLE: "Duet with the Past: A Composer’s Memoir." McFarland, softcover (2019) ISBN: 9781476677378 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/duet-with-the-pastBOOK DESCRIPTION: Composer, conductor and operatic polymath Daron Hagen has written five symphonies, a dozen concertos, 13 operas, reams of chamber music and more than 350 art songs. His intimate, unsparing memoir chronicles his life, from his haunted childhood in Wisconsin to the upper echelons of the music world in New York and Europe. Hagen’s vivid anecdotes about his many collaborators, friends and mentors—including Leonard Bernstein, Lukas Foss, Gian Carlo Menotti, Paul Muldoon, Ned Rorem, Virgil Thomson and Gore Vidal—counterpoint a cautionary tale of the sacrifices necessary to succeed in the brutally unforgiving business of classical music.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Daron Hagen is a multifaceted American artist; a composer, writer, and auteur filmmaker celebrated for pioneering the operafilm genre. His internationally acclaimed Bardo Trilogy streams worldwide. Across five decades, Hagen has composed 13 operas, 5 symphonies, 12 concerti, and more than 250 art songs. His works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Seattle Opera, among others. Hagen has taught at Bard, Curtis, the Chicago College of Performing Arts, and the Princeton Atelier. Hagen studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Curtis, and Juilliard, and continues to create and direct from his home in upstate New York.Website: www.daronhagen.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaronHagenOfficial/OTHER BOOKS BY DARON HAGEN"Exploring Operafilm: Making The Bardo Trilogy." McFarland, softcover (Coming in 2026) ISBN: 9781476699561 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/exploring-operafilm/ABOUT MCFARLAND: McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles each year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBook

Mark Perzel welcomes author Ellen Williams to discuss her book, "Raven and Crow: The Mythology, Art, and Science of Our Favorite Black Birds." Hear about the extensive global mythology surrounding these birds, exploring their fascinating roles as creators and tricksters. Williams also shares amazing scientific insights, noting that crows and ravens are great communicators, toolmakers and rank among the most intelligent animals on the planet. Did you know researchers have identified that ravens possess "theory of mind," allowing them to predict what another animal or human is thinking or about to do? A truly fascinating listen!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/raven-and-crowFEATURED TITLERaven and Crow: The Mythology, Art and Science of Our Favorite Black Birds. McFarland, softcover (2025) ISBN: 9781476695006 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/raven-and-crowBOOK DESCRIPTIONRavens and crows, both members of the Corvidae family, have long captured human imagination. Ornithologists have noted their problem-solving capabilities, but the interest extends beyond science. Artists are moved to depict them, while backyard bird enthusiasts delight in their antics. Found around the world, the raven and the crow have inspired thousands of myths, legends, and fairytales. These stories regard corvids as powerful beings, with the crow sometimes seen as a witch or a goddess in disguise, and the raven portrayed as a creator-trickster being. The fascination with these birds spans centuries, and they are represented in mythology from every corner of the planet.This book explores the multi-dimensional aspects of ravens and crows; they are the subject of scientific research as well as ancient texts and artwork. From traditional and contemporary renderings of the birds in art, to the wealth of mythology about them, the enigmatic nature of the birds remains a point of fascination for many. Recent scientific findings have revealed a use of language, problem-solving skills, and the ability to count, positioning these birds at the intersection of science, mythology, and art.ABOUT THE AUTHOREllen Williams is a retired museum professional with a deep interest in art and culture. Her career started at the American Museum of Natural History, in the Special Projects Department, where she organized events that eventually included the first Margaret Mead Film Festival, now a renowned showcase for international films on culture. She worked as Director of Education at the New England Science Center in Worcester, MA to develop exhibitions, school programs, adult lectures, public events, and small craft flights over Massachusetts' spectacular fall foliage. Ellen Williams can sometimes be found at the Katonah Museum of Art, working on interpretive materials and docent training for cutting-edge contemporary art shows as well as inspiring cultural exhibitions that explore the intersection of art and society.www.ellenwilliams.netOTHER BOOKS BY ELLEN WILLIAMSImagining Heaven: Depictions of the Afterlife in World Art Across the Millennia. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476690452 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/imagining-heavenWe Are Stamford: Immigrants in The City That Works. Building One Community, Stamford, CT, Photography by John Moore; Edited by Ellen W. Williams, softcover (2024) https://b1c.org/wearestamford/ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER, http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2 and FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/BestPartOfTheBook

This episode is for Christmas horror fans, featuring host Mark Perzel and author Matthew C. Dupée with his book, "A Scary Little Christmas: A History of Yuletide Horror Films, 1972–2020." Dupée discusses the origins of Christmas horror during the silent film era and examines how filmmakers blend the holiday's sacred traditions with horror, touching on controversies like "Silent Night, Deadly Night." Explore the subgenres of yuletide horror, such as psycho Santas, stocking snuffers, Christmas zombies, and even killer Christmas trees. Dupée shares filmmaker anecdotes and offers his recommendations for both new and seasoned horror fans. Get into the "Christmas" spirit with this episode!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-scary-little-christmas/FEATURED TITLE"A Scary Little Christmas: A History of Yuletide Horror Films, 1972–2020." McFarland, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781476679990 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-scary-little-christmas/BOOK DESCRIPTIONControversial yet beloved among audiences, Christmas-themed horror movies emerged in the early 1970s and gained a notorious reputation with "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984), depicting Santa as an ax-wielding maniac. Some parents and conservative groups condemned the film, while others embraced the portrayal of Yuletide as a backdrop for fear and dread. Drawing on interviews with directors, producers, special effects artists, photographers and actors, this book celebrates the sordid, colorful history of the Christmas horror subgenre. Psycho Santa films such as "Christmas Evil" (1980) and 3615 code "Père Noël" (1989) are examined, along with “Yule-Die” slashers like "The Dorm that Dripped Blood" (1982), "Black Christmas" (1974) and "Silent Night, Bloody Night" (1972). Commercial successes like "Gremlins" (1984) and "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010) are covered, as well as more recent releases such as "Better Watch Out" (2016), "Red Christmas" (2016) and "Deathcember" (2019). Rare photographs, promotional materials and an annotated filmography are provided.OTHER BOOKS BY MATTHEW C. DUPÉE"We're Here For The Krites: The Making Of Critters." Harker Press, hardcover/softcover (2025) ISBN: 9798989013098 www.harkerpress.com/krites-aboutFor personalized copies: www.matthewdupee.comABOUT THE AUTHORA lifelong horror film enthusiast, Matthew has written about horror films for "Rue Morgue," "Offscreen," and "Bright Lights Film" Journal. He is a contributor to "Rue Morgue" and the "Morbidly Beautiful" website and is currently writing three books: "Dark Harvest: A History of Thanksgiving Horror;" "A Conduit to Hell: The Making of Neon Maniacs;" and "Rad Dreams: The Making of Albert Pyun's Postapocalyptic Rock Opera." www.matthewdupee.comInstagram: @matthieudupee ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). https://mcfarlandbooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

Vampires, demons, the undead, oh my! This episode features a conversation with author Theresa Bane, focusing on her latest book, "The Undead in World Mythology and Folklore: An Encyclopedia," alongside her previous works like "Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology and Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures." Theresa talks about the universal fear of death that gives rise to undead myths across every culture, the evolution of vampires from ancient plague-carriers to modern figures, the broad scope of demons, and the concept of the revenant. Check out this episode to uncover more fascinating details and diverse global myths.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTYou can get a 25% discount on these 3 featured titles when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: The Undead in World Mythology and Folklore: An Encyclopedia. McFarland, softcover (2025) ISBN: 978-1-4766-9561-7 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-undead-in-world-mythology-and-folklore/Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. McFarland, softcover (2020) ISBN: 978-1-4766-8177-1 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-vampire-mythology-soft/Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. McFarland, softcover (2012) ISBN: 978-0-7864-6360-2 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-demons-in-world-religions-and-cultures/OTHER BOOKS BY THERESA BANEThe G.I. Joe Roster: Characters of the Toy and Media Universe. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 978-1-4766-9304-0 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-g-i-joe-rosterEncyclopedia of Mythological Objects. McFarland, softcover (2020) ISBN: 978-1-4766-7688-3 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-mythological-objectsEncyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. McFarland, softcover (2016) ISBN: 978-1-4766-6355-5 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-spirits-and-ghosts-in-world-mythologyEncyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. McFarland, softcover (2016) ISBN: 978-1-4766-6351-7 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-giants-and-humanoids-in-myth-legend-and-folkloreEncyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. McFarland, softcover (2016) ISBN: 978-0-7864-9505-4 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-beasts-and-monsters-in-myth-legend-and-folkloreEncyclopedia of Imaginary and Mythical Places. McFarland, softcover (2014) ISBN: 978-0-7864-7848-4 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-imaginary-and-mythical-placesEncyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. McFarland, softcover (2013) ISBN: 978-0-7864-7111-9 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/encyclopedia-of-fairies-in-world-folklore-and-mythologyFolklore and Food: Folktales that center on family, food, and down-home cooking. Schiffer Publishing, softcover (2012) ISBN: 978-0-7643-4220-2 schifferbooks.com/products/folklore-foodFolktales and Ghost Stories of North Carolina's Piedmont. Schiffer Publishing, softcover (2011) ISBN: 978-0-7643-3745-1 schifferbooks.com/products/flktl-ght-storiesnc-piedmntHaunted Historic Greensboro. Schiffer Publishing, softcover (2009) ISBN: 978-0-7643-3745-1 schifferbooks.com/products/haunted-historic-greensboroABOUT THE AUTHORVampirologist, Theresa Bane, is the author of numerous encyclopedias on mythological subject matters such as creatures, demons, fairies, ghosts, giants, mythic locations, and vampires. In addition to having written articles for online magazines, books on regional folklore, RPG supplements, and G.I. Joe, she has been featured on many radio, podcasts, and television shows, such as William Shatner’s “Weird or What” for her knowledge and expertise on the undead.When not writing, Bane educates audiences about the differences between traditional mythology and horror fiction. A diehard gamer originally from the NY/NJ area, she currently resides in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and their dogs.Scaldcrow Games: Bare Bones Multiverse, a tabletop RPG: www.scaldcrow.comABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

Featuring an engaging interview with Peter Cammann, author of "The Flies Are Too Damn Small: Adventures of a Deeply Flawed Angler." Cammann shares his journey from newspaper reporter to fishing writer and the evolution of his unique storytelling approach that embraces humor and self-deprecation. Discover Cammann's philosophies on fishing, his humorous observations on anglers and the pursuit of fish, and the art of balancing the joy of sharing fishing experiences with the responsibility of conservation. You'll truly appreciate the wit and wisdom in Cammann's collection of fishing tales. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-flies-are-too-damn-small/FEATURED TITLEThe Flies Are Too Damn Small: Adventures of a Deeply Flawed Angler. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476695860 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-flies-are-too-damn-small/BOOK DESCRIPTIONPeter Cammann has written about fishing for more than 30 years. In that time, he has explored at length the lasting questions of fishing, chief among them, why anyone would spend their time doing it. This book presents the odd tales, confessions and musings of a deeply flawed angler, well-acquainted with the limits of his own abilities. These humorous tales are presented by the author as a kind of answer to why so many people spend hours in the water, facing off with fish, sometimes only to release them right away. Occasionally profound and always funny, Cammann’s unique perspective on the sport will delight even those who have never cast a line.ABOUT THE AUTHORPeter Cammann has written about fishing and the outdoors for more than 30 years.  He is the author of three books on this subject, including Fishing Vermont’s Streams and Lakes. His work has also been featured in On the Water, Coastal Angler, Vermont Magazine, The Fisherman, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Fly Fisherman, Vermont Life, Outside Bozeman, as well as on various web sites, including About-Flyfishing and Urban Desires.  He also wrote and produced a segment that was aired in Vermont during the 1990s, originally on WNCS and then later on WDEV called The Streamside Guide. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1026353957OTHER BOOKS BY PETER CAMMANN"Fishing Vermont's Streams and Lakes: A Guide to the Green Mountain State's Best Trout and Bass Waters (Backcountry Guides)." Countryman Press, softcover (1992) ISBN: 9780881502398 https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Vermonts-Streams-Lakes-Backcountry/dp/0881502391 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fishing-vermonts-streams-and-lakes-peter-f-cammann/1112788090"Ultralight Spin-Fishing: A Practical Guide for Freshwater and Saltwater Anglers," Countrymen Press, softcover (2000) ISBN: 9780881503012 https://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Spin-Fishing-Practical-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/0881503010 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ultralight-spin-fishing-peter-f-cammann/1141254751"SlipNot." Catch & Release Publishing, Kindle edition (2013)https://www.amazon.com/SlipNot-Peter-Cammann-ebook/dp/B00EUIEIFQABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). https://mcfarlandbooks.com/SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 out how the radio dramas masterfully translated the visual experience of the films into an audio format, showcasing the challenges and triumphs involved in their production, including securing rights and the artistry of sound design. You'll appreciate the enduring legacy of these unique "Star Wars" adaptations and their profound influence on NPR's trajectory.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-star-wars-radio-dramas/FEATURED TITLEThe "Star Wars" Radio Dramas: Brian Daley and the Serialization That Saved NPR. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476695631 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-star-wars-radio-dramas/BOOK DESCRIPTIONBy 1977 National Public Radio (NPR) was in trouble, plagued by too little funding and small audiences. The phenomenal success of its adaptation of "Star Wars" as a radio drama in 1981 gave NPR the needed ratings, publicity, and boost in donations that kept it afloat at exactly the time it was threatened the most. Most importantly, "Star Wars" brought a new audience to NPR. As it did in theaters, where George Lucas’s films redefined movie making, so too did NPR’s "Star Wars" forever change the artistic world of radio drama.That a radio network, dependent exclusively on audio, would find a lifeline in one of the most visually dynamic movies ever released is the stuff of irony. Utilizing new interviews with creatives such as Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Ann Sachs (Princess Leia), Perry King (Han Solo), and director John Madden, and archival research, this book details how an unlikely alliance of academics, radio executives, Lucasfilm employees, actors, and behind-the-scenes artists banded together, despite the obstacles, to create a unique and consequential work. It is also the story of how writer Brian Daley was the fulcrum who made it all possible.ABOUT THE AUTHORSMaria Jose Tenuto and John Tenuto have been authors and sociology professors for 27 years. Maria Jose was named the 2019 Illinois Outstanding Adjunct Faculty of the Year by the Illinois Community College Trustee Association. John was named the 2020 Association of Community College Trustees’ Central Regional Faculty Member Award winner, recognizing him as one of the top five community college educators in the nation. The couple’s research has been featured in "Wired" magazine, "USA Today", "Chicago Sun-Times," and on CBS, Netflix, WGN, the History Channel, and the BBC. They have been invited to speak at the Official Star Trek Convention, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars Celebration, the St. Louis Science Center, and by the future birthplace of Star Trek’s James T. Kirk, Riverside, Iowa, and the town of Vulcan, Alberta, Canada. They were consultants on the United States Postal Service Star Wars Droids stamps.After moving to Altoona, Iowa, they can each now legitimately quote James T. Kirk, and say, “No, I’m from Iowa. I only work in outer space.” They have been married for 26 years and have a 22-year-old son named Nicholas Jose Tenuto.https://thetenutos.blogspot.com/Other books by the Tenutos:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: The Making of the Classic Film (2023) from Titan Books. Hardcover. ISBN: 9781789099751 https://thetenutos.blogspot.com/2024/12/star-trek-ii-wrath-of-khan-making-of.htmlStar Trek III: The Search for Spock: The Making of the Classic Film (2025) from Titan Books. Hardcover. ISBN: 9781835412893  https://thetenutos.blogspot.com/2024/12/star-trek-iii-search-for-spock-making.htmlABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). https://mcfarlandbooks.com/SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 the treatment of slaves between New York and Massachusetts in the 18th century, the abuses Freeman endured, and her extraordinary resilience and influence. Learn how Freeman's courage and moral strength not only secured her own freedom but also left an enduring legacy on those around her, including the renowned novelist Catharine Maria Sedgwick. This is the inspiring story of a woman whose fight for freedom helped shape the course of history.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-revolutionary-woman/FEATURED TITLE"A Revolutionary Woman: Elizabeth Freeman and the Abolition of Slavery in the North." McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476694535 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-revolutionary-woman/BOOK DESCRIPTIONAt the end of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Freeman was an enslaved widow and mother living in Massachusetts. Hearing the words of the new Massachusetts state constitution which declared liberty and equality for all, she sought the help of a young lawyer named Theodore Sedgwick, later Speaker of the House and one of America’s leading Federalist politicians. The lawsuit that she and Sedgwick pursued would bring freedom to her and her daughter, as well as thousands of other enslaved people.After leaving her enslaver’s family to work for the family of Theodore Sedgwick, she effectively became the foster mother to his seven children when his wife Pamela became a chronic invalid, enabling Sedgwick to pursue his political career. Two of his sons would credit her with saving their lives. His daughter Catharine Maria Sedgwick, one of the most famous female novelists of the early decades of the nineteenth century, would make her the model for one of her most celebrated heroines. This biography details Elizabeth Freeman’s life and the far-reaching influence of her battle for freedom.ABOUT THE AUTHORDonna Tesiero holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell, a law degree from Columbia, and master’s degrees from Harvard and Lesley University. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.OTHER BOOKS BY DONNA"Six Nations Diplomat: Molly Brant and the American Revolution" McFarland, softcover (2025) ISBN: 9781476694542  https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/six-nations-diplomat/"The Choosing Time" Self-published (2013), softcover. ISBN: 9781480081963. A historical novel for teens. https://www.the-choosing-time.com/ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 of understanding and support they faced. This episode will leave you with a powerful call for empathy, understanding, and systemic change in the face of the devastating impact of substance use disorder.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/slow-dancing-with-the-devil/FEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTION"Slow Dancing with the Devil: A Son’s Substance Use Disorder, A Mother’s Anguish." McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476693897 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/slow-dancing-with-the-devil/DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKSusan Herrick’s memoir follows the story of her beloved son and only child, Luke, through his struggle with opioid addiction, recovery and sobriety, and untimely and heartbreaking death. Luke suffered a near-fatal car accident that left him partially paralyzed and addicted to Oxycontin, the very drug that helped save his life. Susan turned to the streets to obtain Suboxone, a legal but medically restricted opioid blocker, in an attempt to save her son’s life. Remembering this, she writes, “The day I became my son’s drug dealer, we both died, in a way.”This poignant and compelling memoir exposes the rampant prescribing of Oxycontin, upwards of 600mg daily in cases like Luke’s, and the role overprescribing plays in the disease of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Through Luke’s story, the author addresses failed public policies, misguided medical practices, societal stigmas, and enabling tendencies of loved ones that hinder recovery for those afflicted with SUD.ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan Bartz Herrick, MFA, EdD., is a retired professor at UNC-Fayetteville, St. Andrews University, and Methodist University. Early in her career, she was a Community Liaison Specialist at HCA Cumberland Psychiatric Hospital and Treatment Center, giving seminars on Mental Health Disorders and Addiction. Susan is now an advocate for Substance Use Disorder.https://www.susanbartzherrick.com/https://www.facebook.com/SusanBartzHerrickAuthor/ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/wrestling-is-my-gimmick/FEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTIONWrestling Is My Gimmick: My Life on the Wrong Side of the Three-Count. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476696102 https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/wrestling-is-my-gimmick/DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKFor someone whose career spanned nearly four decades, Barry Horowitz might have the lowest winning percentage in professional wrestling history. But there’s a reason why his name reached household levels among fans of the sport. Wrestlers who put on a deliberate losing performance (known as “jobbers”) provide the starting points for the game’s top names, and Horowitz was always there to help every new generation of talent rise to the next level. He took all the moves. He made them all look good. He absorbed every pin and submission. And then he came back to do it for someone else. From the local federations in Florida to years in the World Wrestling Federation, Horowitz helped launch the careers of everyone from Ric Flair to the Ultimate Warrior to Kane to Bill Goldberg and everyone in between.This book, illustrated with high-quality photographs, presents the life and career of Barry Horowitz. From his life outside the ring to his storied career in professional wrestling’s most unsung role, this biography hopes to shed light on why Horowitz was so committed to an industry who sometimes failed to return the favor. From Horowitz comes a tale of defining one’s own success and doing the best for the toughest of businesses—and about becoming a cornerstone in a part of pro wrestling that’s commonly underrated, but an integral part of the trade!ABOUT THE AUTHORBarry David Horowitz‘s professional wrestling career spanned nearly four decades and is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).https://v.cameo.com/e/fTf7UewuLQbhttps://m.facebook.com/barry.horowitz.3150/An award-winning journalist and lifelong wrestling fan, Jason Norman teaches college English in southeastern Virginia.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 fan, how he came to write the book as well as the challenges of creating a definitive guide for such an incredibly prolific writer. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/agatha-christie/FEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTIONAgatha Christie: A Companion to the Mystery Fiction. McFarland, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781476676203 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/agatha-christie/DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKThe undisputed “Queen of Crime,” Dame Agatha Christie (1890–1976) is the bestselling novelist of all time. As the creator of immortal detectives Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple, she continues to enthrall readers around the world and is drawing increasing attention from scholars, historians, and critics. But Christie wrote far beyond Poirot and Marple. A varied life including war work, archaeology, and two very different marriages provided the backdrop to a diverse body of work.This encyclopedic companion summarizes and explores Christie’s entire literary output, including the detective fiction, plays, radio dramas, adaptations, and her little-studied non-crime writing. It details all published works and key themes and characters, as well as the people and places that inspired them, and identifies a trove of uncollected interviews, articles, and unpublished material, including details that have never appeared in print. For the casual reader looking for background information on their favorite mystery to the dedicated scholar tracking down elusive new angles, this companion will provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date information.ABOUT THE AUTHORJ.C. Bernthal, a Visiting Fellow at the University of Suffolk, is a leading expert on Agatha Christie and crime fiction, with special interests in gender and sexuality. He has authored and edited, or co-edited, several books, including, with Mary Anna Evans, the Edgar, Agatha, Keating, and Macavity Award-nominated  "Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie." He also works in renewable energy and, as Jamie Bernthal, publishes short comic crime fiction. In 2020, the Popular Culture Association awarded him the George N. Dove Award for outstanding contributions to the serious study of crime fiction.www.jcbernthal.comjcbernthal.blsky.socialOTHER BOOKS BY J.C. BERNTHALAcademicwith Mary Anna Evans , "The Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie" (Bloomsbury, 2022) https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bloomsbury-handbook-to-agatha-christie-9781350212497/with Rebecca Mills, "Agatha Christie Goes to War "(Routledge, 2019)  https://www.routledge.com/Agatha-Christie-Goes-to-War/Mills-Bernthal/p/book/9781032239941"Queering Agatha Christie: Revisiting Golden Age Detective Fiction" (Palgrave, 2016) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-33533-9"The Ageless Agatha Christie: Essays on the Mysteries and Legacy"(McFarland, 2016) https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-ageless-agatha-christie/Fiction"Jessica Brick Investigates" (2019) https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Brick-Investigates-Jamie-Bernthal/dp/B085RVPRMHSpotlight on Jessica Brick (2020)ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 of Rich Energy's enigmatic CEO, William Storey, and his audacious attempt to disrupt the established Formula One order. Hear the financial intricacies of the sport, the behind-the-scenes drama, and the challenges of investigating a story filled with evasive characters and disappearing evidence.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/racing-with-rich-energyFEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTION"Racing with Rich Energy: How a Rogue Sponsor Took Formula One for a Ride." McFarland, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781476688800 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/racing-with-rich-energyFormula One has long maintained a glitzy aura that masks dark and strange goings-on in the background. But with the 2019 season came a force louder than Formula One could dream of muffling: William Storey, the founder of British energy drink startup Rich Energy. Storey became a multimillion-dollar sponsor of the Haas Formula One team a year after records showed Rich Energy having a mere $770 in the bank. He equated his doubters to moon-landing truthers and publicly mocked both the Haas team and the entities winning legal disputes against him. But where were actual cans of Rich Energy, and did the supposed sponsorship funds exist? In the six months between Storey’s first race as a Formula One sponsor and his very public exit, he stole the spotlight with a loud mouth and an active Twitter account. Haas team boss Guenther Steiner once described the Rich Energy news cycle as: “I’m getting sick of answering these stupid fucking questions on a race weekend. I’ve never seen any fucking thing like this.” No one else had, either. This book uncovers the complete, bizarre story.ABOUT THE AUTHORSELIZABETH BLACKSTOCK is an award-winning motorsport historian, author, and journalist currently serving as US Editor at PlanetF1.com. She is creator and host of "Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys," a history podcast that centers on motorsport's forgotten scandals and tragedies.www.elizabeth-blackstock.comwww.deadlypassionsterriblejoys.com@elizablackstock on Instagram@eliz_blackstock on [email protected] on BlueskyALANIS KING is an automotive and motorsports writer, reporter, presenter, YouTuber, and podcaster. You can find her work in ESPN, Top Gear, Road & Track, the Motorsport Network, and more. www.alanisnking.com@alanisking on Youtube@alanisnking on Twitter@alanisnking on [email protected] on [email protected] on FacebookABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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's influence on women's motorcycling, including her efforts to establish clubs and advocate for women's rights within the sport. Hear the challenges these women faced, the evolution of women's motorcycle organizations, and the broader societal context of their experiences. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/iron-horse-cowgirlsFEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTION"Iron Horse Cowgirls: Louise Scherbyn and the Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s." McFarland, softcover (2023) ISBN: 9781476669465 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/iron-horse-cowgirlsBefore Louise Scherbyn founded the Women’s International Motorcycle Association, she was simply a working girl who loved motorcycling—at a time when women weren’t allowed to wear pants, roads weren’t hard-topped, and handlebars could come apart while riding. The hardest part? Auxiliaries she looked to for support each proved to be the wrong fit—some uncomfortably, disastrously so. All Louise wanted was for women riders to have a proper space of their own. For that she would ultimately have to forge a new path.This book tells the fascinating story of Scherbyn’s journey in forming the first stand-alone women-only motorcycle association. Chapters cover 225,000 miles and two decades’ worth of community-building, hostilities, physical and professional attacks, recovery, sisterhood and more. Scherbyn paved the way for women motorcyclists across the world while facing a storm of threats and uncertainties, driving ahead with newfound friends and her singular, unifying vision for women who ride.ABOUT THE AUTHORSThe late LINDA BACK MCKAY was a poet, writer, coach, and teaching artist. Her work appeared in literary publications such as Great River Review, Water~Stone Review, and White Pelican Review. She taught at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis.KATE ST. VINCENT VOGL was honored to co-write "Iron Horse Cowgirls" with Linda Back McKay. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Chris Sommer Simmons calls their book “Brilliant.” Vogl also co-wrote "Lady Ref," which was featured in USA Today. Vogl is the author of "Lost & Found: A Memoir of Mothers," named among the best of the year by the Beacon Journal, and her essays are found in best-selling anthologies like "Why We Ride." Her writing has received support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Anderson Center. She graduated from Cornell University cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, and from the Creative Writing Program at Hamline. She teaches at the Loft Literary Center. www.IronHorseCowgirls.com www.KateVogl.comwww.facebook.com/KateStVincentVoglOTHER BOOKS BY KATE"Lady Ref: Making Calls in a Man’s World" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023)rowman.com/ISBN/9781538181607/Lady-Ref-Making-Calls-in-a-Mans-World"Lost & Found: A Memoir of Mothers" (Double Tree Publishing, 2009)www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Kate-Vincent-Vogl/dp/0692860657ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 breaks down how these worlds are linked by similar themes, tropes, and styles. He even identifies four distinct types of fantasy worlds within this verse: Standard, Comic, Video Game, and Dark Fantasy. Plus, he shares his own epic journey into the world of fantasy. Get ready to dive deep into the fascinating world of fantasy with us!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/so-youve-landed-in-a-fantasy-worldFEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTIONSo You’ve Landed in a Fantasy World: How to Survive and Thrive. McFarland, softcover (2022) ISBN: 9781476685274 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/so-youve-landed-in-a-fantasy-worldDESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK.Today, it seems as if everyone from heroic-yet-angsty teenagers, to giggling schoolgirls, to middle-aged businessmen, to bored moms are finding themselves whisked away to save distant worlds from some kind of unspeakable evil. But how do you prepare for such an amazing adventure? And, more importantly, how do you make it through without getting horribly maimed or killed along the way? Fortunately, this handbook has analyzed the accounts of numerous heroes who have traveled to magical lands and returned to tell the tale in order to create the definitive guide to survival and success no matter where in the fantasyverse your adventures may take you. In these pages, you’ll learn how to increase (or, if you prefer, decrease) your chances of successfully being chosen, what types of preparation and training you should undertake beforehand, and how to hit the ground running on arrival and become the legendary hero that you were always destined to be.**Makes no guarantees of destined heroism and cannot be held liable if it turns out that you are instead destined to be eaten by a giant toad.ABOUT THE AUTHORJosiah Lebowitz is a professor of Game Design and Writing at George Mason University and co-leader of their popular Japan Game Studio Tour. He specializes in both game and narrative design, with a particular focus on the integration of plot and gameplay as described in his textbook, Interactive Storytelling for Video Games. In addition to teaching, he does indie and contract design and writing, with credits including EverQuest Next, Aurora’s Nightmare, and The Verities Silex trilogy. His other passions include travel, cooking, and Japanese culture.Interactive Storytelling for Video Games https://a.co/d/8TC61GG The Verities Silex Trilogy https://a.co/d/12GUEBzAurora's Nightmare (a visual novel game, like an extra long and complex Choose Your Own Adventure book with full visuals and audio; currently in development, but a free demo is available) https://penandswordgames.com/AurorasNightmare/get-the-demo/https://soyouveguides.comABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 conversation explores McClellan's covert operations, the role of spies and informants, and the political intrigue that nearly derailed the Emancipation Proclamation. Roycraft discusses his in-depth research, uncovering a hidden history of deception and political maneuvering during the Civil War.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-plot-to-perpetuate-slaveryFEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTIONThe Plot to Perpetuate Slavery: How George McClellan, Southern Spies and a Confidence Man Nearly Derailed Emancipation. McFarland, softcover (2024) ISBN: 9781476694955 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-plot-to-perpetuate-slaveryDESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKIn the aftermath of the September 1862 Battle of Antietam, President Abraham Lincoln issued the most significant presidential decree in American history, the Emancipation Proclamation, which would forever free all slaves in territory not under Union control. Nevertheless, his chief military commander in the field, Major General George B. McClellan, was outraged. Within days, two former Union officers nefariously crossed the lines into rebeldom, an initiative resulting in an elaborate subterfuge to scam Lincoln into withdrawing the Proclamation in return for nebulous promises of peace.This book tells the story, obscured in a veil of secrecy for 150 years, of the cloak-and-dagger chess match between Union detectives and Southern operatives in the months before emancipation became effective. Despite an ominous warning by author Herman Melville five years before, the scheme to perpetuate slavery almost succeeded, for it was engineered by a man the National Police Gazette once declared the “King of the Confidence Men.”ABOUT THE AUTHORPhil Roycraft is an environmental engineer, historian and author specializing in the Civil War era. He is the author of "Valuable Hereafter: A Collectors Guide to the Vicksburg Daily Citizen" and has written articles for a variety of historical journals including the "Michigan History Magazine," "Leviathan: A Journal of Melville Studies," the "Journal of Illinois History" and the "Maryland Historical Magazine." A graduate of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, he hails from Evanston, Illinois, home of prominent Methodist Episcopal abolitionists John Dempster and Otis H. Tiffany.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561601684892OTHER BOOK(S) BY PHIL"Valuable Hereafter: A Civil War Collector's Guide to the Vicksburg Daily Citizen Wallpaper Editions." Self-published, softcover/Kindle (2018) ISBN: 9781537798981https://www.amazon.com/Valuable-Hereafter-Collectors-Vicksburg-Wallpaper/dp/1537798987ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 Memorial Associations and the United Daughters of the Confederacy in erecting these monuments, highlighting the grief, honor, and historical memory they represent.FEATURED TITLENorth Carolina Civil War Monuments: An Illustrated History. McFarland, softcover (2013) ISBN: 9780786468560 Winner of the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award (2014) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/north-carolina-civil-war-monumentsLISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on this title when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/north-carolina-civil-war-monumentsDESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKMonuments honoring leaders and victorious armies have been raised throughout history. Following the American Civil War, however, this tradition expanded, and by the early twentieth century, the Confederate dead and surviving veterans, although defeated in battle, ranked among the world’s most commemorated troops. This memorialization, described in North Carolina Civil War Monuments, evolved through a challenging and contentious process accomplished over decades. Prompted by the need to rebury wartime dead, memorialization, led by women, first expressed regional grief and mourning then expanded into a vital aspect of Southern memory. In North Carolina, 109 Civil War monuments—101 honoring Confederate troops and eight commemorating Union forces—were raised prior to the Civil War centennial. Photographs showcase each memorial while committee records, legal documents, and contemporaneous accounts are used to detail the difficult process through which these monuments were erected. Their design, location, and funding reflect not only the period’s sculptural and cultural milieu but also reveal one state’s evolving grief and the forging of public memory.ABOUT THE AUTHORDouglas Butler is an independent scholar, retired physician, adventure travel writer and award-winning photographer whose hiking, trekking and climbing journeys have taken him to five continents.OTHER BOOKS BY DOUGLAS• North Carolina Civil War Monuments: An Evolving History, 1961-2024. McFarland, softcover (not yet published)• A featured photographer in Photography in Ashe County, North Carolina, McFarland, softcover (2024) Kim Hadley and Doug Munroe. mcfarlandbooks.com/product/photography-in-ashe-county-north-carolina• A contributor in The Love of Baseball: Essays by Lifelong Fans, McFarland, softcover (2017) edited by Chris Arvidson and Diana Nelson Jones. mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-love-of-baseball• A Walk Atop America—Fifty State Summits and a Dream to Reach Them All. Parkway Publishers (2007) www.awalkatopamerica.com• Ashe County—Discovering the Lost Province," Self-published (1992–out of print)ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and publish about 350 new titles each year. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 ancient midwinter celebrations, the transformation of St. Nicholas into Santa, and the cultural variations of gift-bringers around the world.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Tom Jerman's book when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/santa-claus-worldwideFEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTIONSanta Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers. McFarland, softcover (2020) ISBN: 9781476680934 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/santa-claus-worldwideDESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKThis is a comprehensive history of the world’s midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions and the many traits and functions these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures from the tribal priests who presided over winter solstice celebrations thousands of years before the birth of Christ, to Christian notables like St. Martin and St. Nicholas, to a variety of secular figures who emerged throughout Europe following the Protestant Reformation. Finally, it explains how the popularity of a poem about a “miniature sleigh” and “eight tiny reindeer” helped consolidate the diverse European gift-givers into an enduring tradition in which American children awake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Although the names, appearance, attire and gift-giving practices of the world’s winter solstice gift-givers differ greatly, they are all recognizable as Santa, the personification of the Christmas and Midwinter festivals. Despite efforts to eliminate him by groups as diverse as the Puritans of seventeenth-century New England, the Communist Party of the twentieth-century Soviet Union and the government of Nazi Germany, Santa has survived and prospered, becoming one of the best-known and most beloved figures in the world.ABOUT THE AUTHORRetired attorney Tom A. Jerman lives in Asheville, North Carolina.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 the Middle East to the stories of therapy, military, and police dogs, Duggan shares insights into the growing collection of 20+ titles. A must listen for dog lovers!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on any of the titles in the series available as of 2024, by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/imprint/dogs-in-our-worldCURRENT BOOKS IN THE "DOGS IN OUR WORLD" SERIES: mcfarlandbooks.com/imprint/dogs-in-our-worldDuggan: Saluki: The Desert Hound and the English Travelers Who Brought It to the WestBegin-Kruysman: Dog’s Best Friend: Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World PublisherFarina: Man Writes Dog: Canine Themes in Literature, Law and FolkloreDuggan: General Custer, Libbie Custer and Their Dogs: A Passion for Hounds, from the Civil War to Little BighornSchilp: Dogs in Health Care: Pioneering Animal-Human PartnershipsHartzler: I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark SideCrawley: Beware of Dog: How Media Portrays the Aggressive CanineHansen: Laboratory Dogs Rescued: From Test Subjects to Beloved CompanionsThompson: Dog of the Decade: Breed Trends and What They Mean in AmericaDuggan: Horror Dogs: Man’s Best Friend as Movie MonsterMiller: The Most Painful Choice: A Dog Owner’s Story of Behavioral EuthanasiaFerguson: Your Service Dog and You: A Practical GuideSchilp: Dogs of the Railways: Canine Guardians, Companions and Mascots Since the 19th CenturyFerguson: The Force-Free Dilemma: Truth and Myths in Modern Dog Training Scroggins: I Know Your Dog is a Good Dog: A Trainer’s Insights on Reactive, Aggressive or Anxious BehaviorJacob: Police Dogs of Trinidad and Tobago: A 70-Year HistoryDale: We Saved Each Other: How Rescue Dogs Help Us Through HardshipHartzler: The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine SolaceKubillus: My Broken Dog: Living with a Handicapped PetDixon: Canine Agility and the Meaning of Excellence: Formulating an Ethical ApproachCummins: Canine Crania: Your Dog’s Head and Why It Looks That WayTo propose your non-fiction book for the series, email Brian Duggan at [email protected] BRIANBrian is a retired university technology educator with 33 years of experience in the University of California and California State University systems. A canine historian, he has published numerous articles that have been published internationally and in AKC Family Dog, AKC Gazette, Dogs in Review, Sighthound Review, Show Sight, Saluki International, American Saluki Association Newsletter, Classic Saluki, The Private Journey, and Greasy Grass: The Journal of the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association.Together with his wife, Wendy (also an AKC judge), they have had Salukis for forty years under the Kyzyl Kum prefix with 81 owned and/or bred, 35 show champions, and several grand champions to their credit. He and Wendy were honored with the American Saluki Association’s Top Breeder Award for 1994.www.brianpatrickduggan.net | FB brian.duggan.71 | Insta @b.duggan_himself X @BDugganHimself | Mastodon @[email protected] | Threads @b.duggan_himselfABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 motifs connect scenes and emotions. If you’re a fan of film music or want to experience these movies in a whole new way, tune in and let Erik guide you through the dragon-filled skies of cinematic sound!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Erik's book from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-music-of-the-how-to-train-your-dragon-trilogyBOOK & DESCRIPTIONThe Music of the "How to Train Your Dragon" Trilogy: A Guide to the Scores of John Powell. ISBN 9781476693675 (2024). McFarland, softcover. mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-music-of-the-how-to-train-your-dragon-trilogyOne of the many reasons why children and adults love the "How to Train Your Dragon" films is the music. John Powell composed the music for all three films, maintaining thematic consistency while writing new themes for each film. This book serves as a score guide for the "How to Train Your Dragon" trilogy. Every note has been examined to thoroughly discuss the music for Hiccup, Toothless and the other dragons, Vikings, and the enemies and friends that they encounter. It features interviews with the composer and nearly 100 musical excerpts.ABOUT ERIKErik Heine is a professor of music theory at Oklahoma City University. He is the author of one book and several articles and book chapters concerning film music analysis.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 approach in writing the book, making academic analysis accessible to the average reader while providing background, narrative techniques, and fascinating quotes from each of King's novels.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on James' book from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/methods-and-meaning-in-the-novels-of-stephen-kingBOOK & DESCRIPTIONMethods and Meaning in the Novels of Stephen King: A Constant Reader’s Guide. McFarland, softcover (2024) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/methods-and-meaning-in-the-novels-of-stephen-kingThis book explores the techniques, themes, and subtexts in the fictional works of one of America’s best-known and most-loved storytellers, Stephen King. Each of King’s novels are analyzed in chronological order of their publication from Carrie to Holly. Every novel’s analysis includes a background and summary, narrative devices, archetypes that influenced the novel, themes and subtexts, human universals, interesting facts, and notable quotes. As an invaluable resource for any Stephen King “Constant Reader” and students of literature in general, this work appreciates the beauty of King’s fiction without needing to master the jargon of contemporary literary criticism..ABOUT JAMESJames Arthur Anderson is Professor Emeritus at Johnson & Wales University, where he taught writing and literature for more than 35 years. He has a B.A. and M.A. from Rhode Island College and a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island. He is the author of several critical studies, including "The Linguistics of Stephen King: Layered Language and Meaning in the Fiction," and "Excavating Stephen King: a Darwinist Hermeneutic Study of the Fiction." He received the Rocky Wood Memorial Scholarship for Nonfiction from the Horror Writers Association in 2016. He lives in Garfield, Georgia and is a part-time instructor at East Georgia State College.OTHER BOOKS BY JAMESThe Linguistics of Stephen King (McFarfand)mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-linguistics-of-stephen-kingExcavating Stephen King (Lexington Books)Rowman.com/ISBN/9781793628633/Excavating-Stephen-King-A-Darwinist-Hermeneutic-Study-of-the-FictionThe Illustrated Ray Bradbury (Wildside Press)wildsidepress.com/the-illustrated-ray-bradbury-a-structuralist-reading-of-bradburys-the-illustrated-man-by-james-arthur-anderson-trade-pbOut of the Shadows: a Structural Analysis of the Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (Wildside Press)wildsidepress.com/out-of-the-shadows-a-structuralist-approach-to-understanding-the-fiction-of-h-p-lovecraft-by-james-anderson-trade-pbFACEBOOKfacebook.com/profile.php?id=536980422ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 horror. B movies—those often underappreciated, low-budget gems—captured Scott's heart and imagination with their sincerity and creativity, even when resources were limited. He shares the personal process of selecting the 63 films featured in his book, the joys of sharing obscure horror titles with a new generation, and the balance between educating and entertaining readers.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Scott's book from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-cut-below/BOOK & DESCRIPTIONA Cut Below: A Celebration of B Horror Movies, 1950s-1980s. McFarland, softcover (2023) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-cut-below/Horror films have been around for more than 100 years, and they continue to make a large impact on popular culture as they reflect their contemporary zeitgeist. Between the mid–1950s and mid–1980s, drive-in theaters were at their peak of popularity, and each decade brought forward new challenges and themes.This book explores 60 B horror films, divided into 12 fun and uniquely-themed categories. Chapters discuss how the Atomic Age, the Vietnam War, the women’s liberation movement and other current events and social issues affected these films. Films covered include Willard, The Fly, Santa Sangre and many more.ABOUT SCOTTScott was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada until the age of ten; his first horror movie was "Burnt Offerings" at six during its theatrical run in 1976. He was hooked instantly. When his family moved to the Caribbean concurrent with the videotape movie explosion at the dawn of the ‘80s, he would be able to catch up with horror’s past and stay on top of its present. This would continue for decades until he found a home for his old horror love with the folks at the Daily Dead website, where his column “Drive-In Dust Offs” looks at horror films from the ‘50s to the ‘80s in an informative and humorous manner. Very much like his first book, A CUT BELOW: A CELEBRATION OF B HORROR MOVIES, 1950s-1980s, released January 24th, 2024 from McFarland Publishing!www.facebook.com/sdrebitx.com/phantasm2bsky.app/profile/sdrebit.bsky.socialABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 area.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Doug's book from McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-trees-of-ashe-county-north-carolinaBOOK & DESCRIPTIONThe Trees of Ashe County, North Carolina. McFarland, softcover (2017) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-trees-of-ashe-county-north-carolinaThe mountains of Ashe County, in North Carolina’s northwest corner, support an antediluvian mixed hardwood forest, rooted in nutrient-rich soil and watered by 40 to 60 inches of annual rainfall. From the highest peaks—approaching a mile above sea level—to the lowest valleys, through which flows one of the most ancient river systems in the world, trees carpet much of the county’s 406 square miles.Species with nicknames like wahoo, goosefoot, ironwood, shadblow, bom-a-gilly and buckeye thrive. Others, dominant in the region for millennia, have all but disappeared in recent years. The author describes in detail their anatomy and ecology, and discusses maple syrup production, the local nursery business and the lore and deep value of heritage apple trees; 165 photographs are included.ABOUT DOUGDoug Munroe is a painter, former president of the Florence Thomas Art School, former volunteer steward of Bluff Nature Preserve and a retired nurseryman living in the Clifton Community of Ashe County. He partners with his daughter and son-in-law in a commercial maple syrup business and manages a couple of trout ponds.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 Jim Crow era, and the legacy he left behind. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Rosilyn's book from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/fans-called-him-turkey-i-called-him-dad/BOOK & DESCRIPTIONFans Called Him "Turkey," I Called Him Dad: A Daughter Remembers Baseball Hall of Famer Norman Thomas Stearnes. McFarland, softcover (2023) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/fans-called-him-turkey-i-called-him-dad/Baseball Hall of Famer Norman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes (1901–1979) batted more than .400 three times, led the Negro Leagues in home runs seven times and holds the all-time Negro Leagues record for career home runs. Despite his legendary achievements on the field, Stearnes worked off-seasons in Detroit’s auto plants, including one owned by Walter Briggs, who also owned the Detroit Tigers—a team Stearnes couldn’t play for because he was black. Written by his eldest daughter, this first biography of “Turkey” Stearnes intimately recounts his life and career and gives overdue recognition to one of the greatest all-around players in the history of baseball.ABOUT ROSILYNRosilyn Stearnes-Brown is a native Detroiter whose passions are baseball, music and educating people about her dad and the Negro Leagues. During her employment at Detroit Public Schools, as an educational tool for the students, she wrote a musical entitled “For the Love of the Game,” featuring her dad, “Turkey” Stearnes, his close friend Satchel Paige, and her uncle “Double Duty” Radcliffe. ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

EPISODE SUMMARYClint 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 movement, his fight against segregation, and his entrepreneurial struggles, particularly with the challenges he faced as the owner of People's Beer, a minority-owned business, as well as the systemic barriers he encountered, including government corruption and a lack of support from his own community.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Clint's book from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/ted-mack-and-americas-first-black-owned-breweryBOOK & DESCRIPTIONTed Mack and America’s First Black-Owned Brewery: The Rise and Fall of Peoples Beer. McFarland, softcover (2023) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/ted-mack-and-americas-first-black-owned-breweryBorn a sharecropper in rural Alabama in 1930, Theodore A. (Ted) Mack, Sr., fought in the Korean War and then played football at Ohio State while earning a college degree. Brewing and selling beer, he believed, would be just another peak to attain. After all, it couldn’t be more challenging than his experience in organizing buses to the March on Washington or picketing segregated schools in Milwaukee. This is the story of Mack’s purchase of Peoples Brewing Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Though he had carefully planned for the historic acquisition, he underestimated the subtle bigotry of Middle America, the corruption of the beer industry, and the failures of the federal government that plagued his ownership. Mack’s ownership of Peoples Brewing is an inspirational story of Black entrepreneurship, innovation and pride at a time when America was at an important racial justice crossroads.ABOUT CLINTClint Lanier is an assistant professor of English at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His writing about travel, history, food and drink has appeared in the Huffington Post, Eater, and Fodors.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

SUMMARYMark 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 in the U.S. They highlight the pivotal role of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) in compiling baseball statistics and stories, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on baseball and its future.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on the book from McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-encyclopedia-of-minor-league-baseballBOOK & DESCRIPTIONThe Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: A Complete Record of Teams, Leagues and Seasons, 1876–2019, 4th ed. McFarland, softcover (Aug 2024) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-encyclopedia-of-minor-league-baseballWhen the pandemic hit in early 2020, baseball’s minor leagues canceled their seasons. A few independent leagues tried abbreviated schedules, but all Major League affiliates shut down—for the first time in more than 120 years. Since then, Major League Baseball has taken over governance of the minors, and leagues and teams have been eliminated. In its fourth and final edition, this book gives a complete accounting of the minor leagues as they were known from the late 19th century through 2019.ABOUT LLOYD AND MILESLloyd Johnson is a baseball historian, writer and consultant, former president of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), former executive director of SABR, past senior research associate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York, and the first director of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He lives in Belton, Missouri.Miles Wolff is the former owner of the Durham Bulls, the Quebec Capitales, the Burlington Royals, and ten other minor league, independent and summer collegiate teams. He is the former publisher and owner of "Baseball America," and "Total Baseball" named him among the top 100 most important individuals in baseball history. He lives in Durham, North Carolina.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 preceded the manned moon missions. This memoir also sheds light on the pivotal contributions of Hispanic engineers, celebrating their often-overlooked dedication and expertise in one of humanity's greatest technological achievements.LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Jim's book from McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/building-the-apollo-capsules/BOOK & DESCRIPTIONBuilding the Apollo Capsules: An Engineer’s Memoir of the Moonshot Program and Its Debt to Hispanic Team Members. McFarland, softcover (2023) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/building-the-apollo-capsules/This firsthand account of the development of the Apollo 11 mission gives a behind-the-scenes look at the 1969 moon landing mission from an engineer’s perspective. The technical problems and solutions of designing a capsule to carry three astronauts—Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins—safely to the moon and back are covered in detail from the author’s point of view. The contributions of Latino personnel in the Apollo program are described.ABOUT JIMJim De La Rosa is a retired aerospace engineer living in Tucson, Arizona. He has taught Radar electronics in the Air Force, worked for Hughes Aircraft Company, designed electronic circuits for Airborne Radar systems, designed Flight Control Systems for Guided Missiles at North American Aviation, designed systems for the Apollo capsules that took astronauts to the moon, designed electronic systems to fly the Space Shuttle, designed systems for rockets at The Aerospace Corporation and was a Consultant Engineer.ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

SUMMARYThis 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: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Maria's book on McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/women-and-the-olympic-dreamBOOK & DESCRIPTION“Women and the Olympic Dream: The Continuing Struggle for Equality, 1896–2021." McFarland, softcover (2022) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/women-and-the-olympic-dreamOn an April morning in 1896, unemployed single mother Stamata Revithi ran the 40 kilometers from Marathon to Athens, finishing in 5 hours 30 minutes. Barred from the first Olympic marathon, she was determined to prove herself. Through more than a century of Olympic Games history, women athletes—who were held back from swimming because long skirts were required, limited to running single-lap races because of fallacies about fragility, or forced to endure invasive gender exams—competed in spite of endless challenges. From Athens 1896 to Tokyo 2020, this history of women’s participation in the Olympic Games centers on athletes who overcame entrenched inequity to gain inclusion.ABOUT MARIAMaria Kaj is a writer, independent scholar, and instructor who regularly posts on her blog kajmeister.com. A former banker, she now coaches students on history, business, and economics through multiple university partnerships, as well as volunteering as a tax preparer for low-income residents of Alameda County. She also just received her Masters in history, with a thesis that focused on cultural interpretations of medieval accounting practices. Everything has a story!Website: kajmeister.comFacebook: facebook.com/kajmeisterLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maria-kaj-43620011Maria has published two other books:"Outside the Rio Spotlight: American Triumphs You Didn't See at the 2016 Olympics" (self-published, 2018): www.amazon.com/Outside-Rio-Spotlight-American-Triumphs/dp/1985262762/"The A to Z Olympics: 26 Torch-Worthy Tales & Tidbits" (self-published, 2021): www.amazon.com/Olympics-26-Torch-Worthy-Tales-Tidbits/dp/B092CKZB6VABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

SUMMARYStep 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 the pages of Chaucer's tales, where farting and mischief go hand in hand, or journey into the works of Mark Twain, who found subtle ways to incorporate fart-related humor. I challenge you to listen to this episode without cracking a smile!LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Ryan's book on McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/i-fart-in-your-general-directionBOOK & DESCRIPTION“I fart in your general direction!” Flatulence in Popular Culture. McFarland, softcover (2023) mcfarlandbooks.com/product/i-fart-in-your-general-directionThis exhaustive work on flatulence breaks new wind on every aspect of abdominal gas in popular culture. A definitive taxonomy of farts details the characteristics of each variety, including barking spiders, cheek squeakers and green apple dirties. Philosophical positions on colonic expression are examined, from Confucius, Hume, Voltaire and the existentialists. Chapters cover a wide range of fart-focused stand-up comedy, cinema, children's books, toys and merchandise. The author's postscript describes a lifetime preparing for his subject through fraternity membership and offbeat assignments as a newspaper journalist.ABOUT DONDon H. Corrigan is the editor emeritus for the Webster-Kirkwood Times weekly newspapers in St. Louis, where he has written on the outdoors and environment for four decades. He is a professor emeritus of Webster University, where he directed student studies for the school’s Outdoor/Environmental Journalism Certificate. He lives in St. Louis.Don has published 3 other books with McFarland: Nuts About Squirrels: The Rodents That Conquered Popular Culture (2019), American Roadkill: The Animal Victims of Our Busy Highways (2021), and coming soon, In Search of Manhood: American Men’s Movements Past and Present (Oct 2024). He's also published several books with Reedy Press: Show Me…Natural Wonders: A Guide to Scenic Treasures in the Missouri Region (2007), Show Me...Nature's Wrath: Tornadoes, Floods, Ice Storms, and Other Natural Disasters (2009), Environmental Missouri: Issues and Sustainability-What You Need to Know (2014), Amazing Webster Groves: Six Square Miles of the American Dream (2022); and The Public Journalism Movement in America: Evangelists in the Newsroom (1999, Praeger).Don's Blog: environmentalecho.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/corrigannewsContact: [email protected], 314-928-2699ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Ryan's book on McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/mr-bojangles-danceBOOK & DESCRIPTION:Mr. Bojangles, Dance: Jerry Jeff Walker, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Song That Made Nixon Cry, McFarland, softcover (2024) - mcfarlandbooks.com/product/mr-bojangles-danceThree men’s lives, told through the story of one song. Jerry Jeff Walker, the singer and writer behind the classic hit “Mr. Bojangles,” never would have expected that his song, inspired by an experience in a New Orleans jail cell, would make Richard Nixon cry, or that it would be covered by Sammy Davis, Jr., the entertainment giant and, controversially, a supporter of Nixon.This work, told through the perspective of writer, performer and listener, traces these three men’s overlapping journeys through the American consciousness. Chapters discuss the history of Walker’s song, Davis’s rise from rags to riches, Nixon’s journey from grocer’s son to president, and more.ABOUT Ryan B. CaseRyan B. Case is a writer and musician and was the leader of the Americana band The Victrolas from 2005 to 2011. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and two persnickety cats.Website: www.ryanbcase.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/ryatone/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbcasesongs/ABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR THE PODCAST NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on Gun Curious with coupon code BESTPART on McFarland's website: www.mcfarlandbooks.com/product/gun-curious/ BOOK & DESCRIPTIONGun Curious: A Liberal Professor’s Surprising Journey Inside America’s Gun Culture, Exposit Books, an imprint of McFarland, softcover (June 2024) - www.mcfarlandbooks.com/product/gun-curious/More than ever, it feels like cultural and political divisions over firearms are tearing the United States apart. Guns are an undeniable and contradictory presence in America, both widely owned and controversial. This book does something remarkable: it promotes insight over animosity in understanding the complex reality of guns in America. It challenges firearms skeptics, entertains enthusiasts, and informs the uncommitted by taking readers on a surprising journey inside gun culture.A lifelong liberal from the San Francisco Bay Area, David Yamane became a new gun owner as a 42-year-old and embarked on an immersive twelve-year study of American gun culture. Weaving together his personal experiences and sociological observations to explain why guns make sense to those who own them, he illuminates defensive gun ownership, the risk of negative outcomes associated with firearms, and what responsible gun ownership looks like in the twenty-first century. This book lowers the heat on America’s inflamed arguments about firearms and models the civil discussions we desperately need.ABOUT DAVIDDavid Yamane is a Professor of Sociology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He earned his BA (’91) in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley and his MS (’94) and PhD (’98) in sociology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. After teaching at the University of Notre Dame and holding a post-doc at the University of Virginia’s Center on Religion and Democracy, he joined the faculty at Wake Forest in 2005.Since 2011, Professor Yamane has become an internationally recognized scholarly authority on guns and a calming voice in our divisive national argument on the issue. An Asian American and lifelong liberal from the San Francisco Bay Area, Yamane became a first-time gun owner as a 42-year-old and began a 12-year journey into the complex world of firearms in America. Having one foot outside and one inside gun culture allows him to speak with compassion across our paralyzing differences. FOLLOW DAVIDBook website: www.guncurios.comPersonal website: www.DavidYamane.comYouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@LightOverHeatTwitter/X: www.twitter.com/davidyamaneLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidyamaneABOUT MCFARLANDMcFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERhttp://eepurl.com/iPkvx2

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 uncovered in the extensive research and over 100 interviews she performed in the writing of the book. You don’t have to be from Ashe County, North Carolina to appreciate these hometown stories surrounding a small hospital in a rural Appalachian community. BOOK DESCRIPTION:  When Ashe County Memorial Hospital opened in November 1941, it was the realization of a dream for the poor, sparsely populated county in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Building a hospital is a major undertaking for any community at any time. Accomplishing this in the waning days of the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II, while scant local resources were taxed by catastrophic floods and severe snows, was a remarkable feat of community organization.     This is the story of the generations of supporters, doctors, nurses, emergency personnel and others whose lives are interwoven with regional health care and the planning, building and operation of (the “new”) Ashe Memorial Hospital. This legacy, brought to life through 114 photographs and personal interviews with 97 individuals, traces the development of health care in a remote Appalachian community, from the days of folk remedies and midwives, to horseback doctors and early infirmaries, to the technological advances and outreach efforts of today’s Ashe Memorial Hospital. LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPARTReceive a 25% discount on any of Janet's titles published by McFarland with coupon code BESTPART. BOOKS BY JANET PITTARD A Hospital for Ashe County: Four Generations of Appalachian Community Health Care, McFarland, hardback (2016), softcover(2019) - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-hospital-for-ashe-county-2/ The Ashe County Frescoes of Benjamin F. Long IV, McFarland, 2021, co-authored with David Chiswell. https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-ashe-county-frescoes-of-benjamin-f-long-iv/ Stephen Shoemaker: The Paintings and Their Stories, McFarland, 2013, co-authored with Stephen Shoemaker. https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/stephen-shoemaker/   ABOUT JANET PITTARD Janet was born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina and has always loved writing stories. Her love of stories came from her father, who entertained his little girl with stories he thought up while driving the state’s winding mountain roads for his job. That is where Janet’s love of western North Carolina originated. Now she combines her love of writing with her love of her mountain home in West Jefferson, generating stories and books set in the High Country. Janet began her career as a freelance writer after retiring from the North Carolina Governor’s Office with 30 years of service. She wrote over 100 stories for Our State Magazine from 2003 to 2009 and also wrote for several projects with UNC-TV’s Our State program. Later she contributed stories to two published anthologies related to Ashe County and wrote for an online newspaper called Ashe County Line. Janet is a regular participant in Wordkeepers, a local writing group.     ABOUT MCFARLAND McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook.  We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.com

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. But on Best Part of the Book, you'll explore a diverse array of topics from history to pop culture, sports to science, and everything in between. Best Part of the Book, subscribe now!