Books & Looks

Ever wondered about the real story behind a bottle of tequila? It's not just about agave and distilling; it's a dramatic saga of revolution, political betrayal, and intense family rivalries. In this episode, we're joined by author Ted Genoways to uncover the incredible history of Jose Cuervo, a story that is far more turbulent and cinematic than you can imagine. We'll explore how one man's ambitio...

Step inside a world of opulence, excess, and elaborate deception. While the Gilded Age is known for its industrial titans and lavish parties, a dark and fascinating criminal underworld was thriving, run by some of history's most audacious con artists. In this episode, we uncover the shocking true stories of the female grifters of the Gilded Age, a group of women who used society's expectations aga...

Go behind the music and uncover the secrets of one of the world's most iconic supergroups. In this episode, award-winning Swedish music journalist Jan Gradvall joins us to reveal The Story of ABBA, drawing from his new book, "The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover." We explore the fascinating human drama, the cultural clashes, and the surprising musical genius that propelled a band from Sweden t...

During World War II, a groundbreaking group of elite female aviators flew over 60 million miles in every type of military aircraft, from the P-51 Mustang to the B-17 Flying Fortress. They were the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) , and after proving that women belonged in the cockpit, their program was abruptly disbanded and their contributions were erased from history for decades. How did...

What if a centuries-old chess piece could trigger a murder spree in modern-day Iceland? Join molecular geneticist and author Sara Winokur as she delves into Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders , a thrilling tale where ancient artifacts, cutting-edge DNA forensics, and a chilling 1627 Turkish pirate raid collide. Discover how this historical fiction/murder mystery unravels centuries-old family...

Unparalleled Access: CNN journalist Jill Dougherty spent 30 years inside Russia, witnessing Vladimir Putin's rise from KGB officer to global adversary. In this interview based on her book, "My Russia," she shares unique insights, from covering Gorbachev and Yeltsin to the Ukraine war and surprising personal encounters. Understand the man behind the power, the historical context, and the future cha...

Secrets, family drama, and unexpected turns of fate are revealed in author Ruth Foster's unique novel. In this Books and Looks interview, Ruth discusses how "A Perfect Year?" uses annual Christmas newsletters to trace the lives of three families over decades in a British commuter town. Discover the hidden stories in plain sight and the inspiration behind this fascinating tapestry of human experien...

Are you ready to uncover a Gilded Age mystery that blurred the lines between fiction and reality? This week on Books & Looks, join Blaine DeSantis as he talks with acclaimed historical fiction author Marie Benedict about her new book, "The Queens of Crime." Step back to 1931 London, where legendary mystery writers Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Or...

Dive into the explosive Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, disco fever, and the birth of iconic TV moments as author David Krell joins Blaine DeSantis to unpack his fascinating book "1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era." From Louisiana Lightning's unstoppable pitching to Robin Williams' star-making alien debut, discover how this pivotal year shaped American culture both on and off the diamond. Wheth...

Meet Rose Valland, the art historian turned spy who documented the Nazi's massive art theft operation from inside occupied Paris. In this riveting episode, author Michelle Young reveals how Valland secretly recorded details of over 650,000 stolen masterpieces using her near-photographic memory while facing a Nazi death warrant. Young shares previously unknown details about Valland's dangerous doub...

From choosing steak knives for celebrities to outsmarting dawn trash room inspectors, Jamie Cooperstein reveals how rejection from sports broadcasting ("your voice is too local") led her to discover her true calling behind luxury concierge desks. In her memoir "True Hospitality," Cooperstein shares how a decade serving Philadelphia's elite transformed her understanding of human connection and the...

In 1890s Bombay, a murdered silversmith and his partner holding the bloody knife set the stage for a mystery that unveils colonial India's soul. Join author Nev March, born in India herself, as she guides host Blaine DeSantis through the cultural labyrinth of "The Silversmith's Puzzle," where mixed-race detective Captain Jim and his high-society wife Lady Diana navigate forbidden marriages and rig...

At age six, Pavel Baldea was dragged from his bed at 2AM by Communist police who imprisoned his parents and abandoned their children on the streets. Decades later, after a daring escape across borders to America, this Romanian refugee with a scientific mind has distilled 20 years of biblical study into "The Last Day on Earth," a book that deliberately strips away theological complexity to explore...

"Had Revere failed that night, America's revolution might have died before it began." Author Kostya Kennedy reveals how history pivoted on a silversmith's midnight journey and the astonishing betrayal by the British general's American-born wife who may have leaked crucial military plans. On the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride, "The Ride" uncovers what history books missed: how Revere deman...

When perfectly executed suicides deliver pristine donor hearts, cardiologist-turned-novelist Cristina LePort reveals the terrifying intersection of heart transplantation and organized crime in her medical thriller "Change of Heart." Host Blaine DeSantis explores how a mafia don's cybercrime operation manipulates organ donation networks while FBI probationary agent Charlotte Bloom races to stop the...

When a corporate spreadsheet erased 42 minor league baseball teams from America's map, it didn't just kill baseball in places like Batavia, New York - it threatened to dismantle the last institution where a Vietnam veteran finds peace, political adversaries share beers as friends, and a young man with cerebral palsy washes uniforms by hand until 2 AM. In "Homestand," author Will Bardenwerper, a fo...

They transform American skies into living art, yet these same iridescent birds represent one of history's most spectacular ecological disasters—all because one Victorian gentleman released 200 starlings in Central Park in 1890. When Eugene Schieffelin's well-intentioned birds exploded to 200 million strong, they unleashed agricultural havoc costing billions while pushing native species toward exti...

In this gripping episode, author Patricia Bonis shares her harrowing true story documented in "Jeddah Bride." Bonis recounts falling in love with a Saudi man in 1970s Boston, her shocking cultural adjustment in Saudi Arabia, and the devastating 14-year separation from her children after their father kidnapped them. Host Blaine DeSantis guides this eye-opening conversation exploring cross-cultural...

A mysterious Revolutionary War coin, modern cyber terrorism, and a shadowy organization known as the Liberty Unit converge in this groundbreaking techno-thriller that bridges America's past and present. Join Books and Looks for an in-depth review of "Going Dark" by George K. Mehok, a stunning debut novel that weaves together historical intrigue and contemporary cyber warfare. When NSA analyst Paul...

In 1970, six women defied societal expectations and brutal conditions to become the first all-female team to summit North America's highest peak. This is their remarkable story. Author Cassidy Randall uncovers the incredible journey of the "Denali Damsels" who faced -30° temperatures, deadly storms, and a skeptical climbing community to make mountaineering history. Through intimate journals and lo...

Explore the surprising history of U.S. interest in Greenland and the Arctic's rising geopolitical importance. Why has America tried to buy Greenland multiple times? Join us as we dive deep into the Arctic's past and present with Mary Thompson-Jones, author of 'America in the Arctic.' Discover how climate change and global powers are reshaping this crucial region. We'll explore historical attempts...

Can a single trial change the course of a nation? In 1925, the answer was yes. The Scopes Monkey Trial pitted evolution against creation, science against religion, and two of America's greatest orators against each other. Author Debbie Levy takes us beyond the courtroom drama to explore the deeper cultural battle that still rages today. Is teaching evolution a dangerous idea? And what happens when...

What do an Inca bridge master, a Sardinian pasta maker, and a Taiwanese movie poster painter have in common? They're among the last of their kind, preserving cultural traditions that may soon vanish forever. In this thought-provoking episode, author Elliot Stein takes us on a journey across the globe to meet these "Custodians of Wonder" and confront the question: What do we lose when ancient craft...

What would you sacrifice to protect the future of the world's food supply? In war-torn Leningrad, a group of unsung heroes faced this very question. As Hitler's forces closed in and starvation set in, these brave scientists guarded a forbidden garden—the world's first seed bank. Discover the untold story of their harrowing struggle and ultimate sacrifice in this interview with Simon Parkin, author...

Claire Hoffman discusses her new book "Sister Sinner" about the remarkable life of 1920s evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Hoffman shares key insights into McPherson's meteoric rise to fame, her pioneering use of media, her mysterious disappearance, and the fascinating relationship with her mother Minnie. Discover the gripping story of one of the most influential and controversial religious figur...