Tag Archives: The Booth at The Sachem Public Library

Episode 86 – How Many Threads Connect Real World Experiences to Storytellers? – Authors Jeff Circle and Jack Carr

October 4, 2024Uncategorized1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, 9-11, Artful Periscope, Artful periscope podcast, Jack Carr, Jeff Circle, Larry Davidson, Middle East, non fiction writing, Operation Desert Storm, Targeted: Beirut, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Writers Dossier, writing process terrorist attacksartfulperiscope

How many threads connect real world experiences to storytellers? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes Jeff Circle back to the show to discuss The Dossier, Jeff’s web archive and newsletter/website dedicated to featuring authors and their works. Larry and Jeff discuss 9/11 and Jeff’s military service during Operation Desert Storm. Then the discussion shifts to focusing on the creation of The Dossier, the recent inclusion of audio book narrators on the website and upcoming author spotlights.

After the break, Larry welcomes Jack Carr onto the show to discuss his first non-fiction book Targeted Beirut, which focuses on the 1983 bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The event was a turning point in relations between the United States and the Middle East. Jack discusses his research process, how the Beirut attacks set the stage for the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Center, Lebanon’s tumultuous history and how to tell a non-fiction story while treating the real-world participants with respect.

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Episode 84 – How Many Threads Allow Us To Address And Understand Tragedy And Grief? – Authors Marianne Leone and Henry Wise

September 14, 2024UncategorizedBichon Frise, Christopher Maltisante, Eddie Falco, Five Dog Epiphany, Henry Wise, Holy City, homicide, Knowing Jesse, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Ma Speaks Up, Marianne Leone, religion, Sachem Library, Sopranos, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Virginiaartfulperiscope

How many threads allow us to address and understand tragedy and grief? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Marianne Leone to discuss her latest book Five Dog Epiphany. Marianne starts off by reading an excerpt from the book, showcasing a story about a dog named Titi, who came into her life at the start of the 2016 pandemic. After the reading, Larry and Marianne discuss their mutual friendship with Eddie Falco, Marian’s role on The Sopranos and the support she received from her fellow cast members after fainting on set. Then Marianne discusses her first book, Knowing Jesse, which chronicled the loss of her son after a battle with cerebral palsy, and her second book, Ma Speaks Up, which re-tells stories about her Italian immigrant mother. Her latest book, Five Dog Epiphany recounts how adopting a pack of Bichon Frise helped bring joy back into her life after the devastating loss of her son.

Marianne Leone

After the break, Larry invites author Henry Wise to discuss his latest book Holy City. Taking place in rural Southern Virginia, Holy City follows Sheriff Will Seems as he investigates a homicide along with a wild card private detective named Bennico. Larry and Henry discuss the role of religion in the narrative, the racial history of Viriginia that still affects the black community, and how settings can also be characters in stories.

Henry Wise | crime novelist

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Episode 81 – How Many Threads Lead Us Down the Rabbit Hole of Deception – Authors Bruce Borgos and Alma Katsu

August 1, 2024UncategorizedAlma Katsu, Area 51, Artful Periscope, Bruce Borgos, dead drops, Deuteragonist, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Intelligence community, James Bond, Kindle Edition, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Lis Salander, Nevada, Porter Book Series, Shades of Mercy, Spy who vanished, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, three-part Novella series, vetting information sourcesartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us down the rabbit hole of deception? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry sits down with author Bruce Borgos to discuss his latest book Shades of Mercy, the second book in the Porter Beck series. Together, Larry and Bruce analyze Mercy Vaughan, the teenage hacker deuteragonist who has been compared to Lis Salander from the famous The Girl with Dragon Tattoo, and his returning hero Porter Beck. They also explore the Nevada setting, the proximity to Area 51 and crafting character driven narratives.

After the break, Larry welcomes returning guest Alma Katsu back to the show to discuss The Spy Who Vanished, which has been released as a Kindle exclusive three-part novella series. Alma discusses the challenge of writing in a new format, her shift in mindset from the anonymity of the intelligence community vs the public persona of the author, and the improving production of audiobook adaptations. Larry and Alma also talk about vetting information sources, how spies used “dead drops” to exchange information, and why James Bond is actually a bad spy.

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Episode 78 – How Many Threads Connect Us to the Events of the Day, Past and Present? Journalist Ben Bradford and Author Kurt Wagner

June 20, 2024Uncategorized1976 presidential primary, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter's Soul, Battle for the bird: Jack Dorsey, Ben Bradford, challenge of journalism in the 24 hour news cycle, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Free Speech, Gerald Ford, Jack Dorsey, Kurt Wagner, Landslide podcast, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson Production, nationalism, neo-conservatism, patriotism vs nationalism, Republican party, Ronald Reagan, Sachem Public Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, Twitterartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us to the events of the day, past and present? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry welcomes journalist and fellow podcaster Ben Bradford to the show to discuss his latest NPR podcast Landslide. The series recounts the 1976 presidential primary race between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and its long-lasting effect on the trajectory of the Republican Party. Together, Larry and Ben dissect the difference between patriotism and nationalism, how Ronald Regan’s rhetoric shifted conservative ideology, and the challenges of modern journalism in a twenty-four-hour news cycle. Then the discussion shifts to Landslide, and how understanding the trajectory of political parties throughout history can shape our understanding of modern politics.

After the break, Larry welcomes author Kurt Wagner to discuss his book, Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter’s Soul, which recounts Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. They discuss Twitter’s original founder, Jack Dorsey, and the behind-the-scenes negotiations between Twitter and Elon Musk. Then they examine Musk’s ideal of a free-speech platform without restrictions, and whether users will want to take part in a community with no filters. Finally, they wrap up by dissecting the connection between Musk and former president Donald Trump, and how it might impact the upcoming election.

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Episode 76 – How Many Threads Connect Us to the Past and the Present? Authors Kevin Baker & J. M. Adams

May 23, 2024UncategorizedArtful periscope podcast, authoritarianism, Babe Ruth, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cautionary tale, Cora Walker, foundations of democracy, J. M. Adams, January 6th insurrection, Kevin Baker, Larry Davidson, Mets, Mickey Mantle, New York Giants, New York Mutuals, Sachem Public Library, Second Term, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The New York Game, Wall Street, Willie Mays, Yankeesartfulperiscope

How many threads connect us to the past and the present? On this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope, Larry is joined by his old friend and returning guest Kevin Baker, author of The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City. Larry and Kevin discuss Kevin’s childhood memories of Yankee Stadium and seeing legendary players like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in-person. Then the discussion then shifts to the history of baseball in New York, tracing its influence back to the early 1900’s and one of the earliest New York professional teams, The New York Mutuals. Then Kevin delves into the fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the division between Manhattan and Brooklyn. After the departure of the Dodgers and the Giants from New York, the discussion turns to the remaining team, the Yankees, and their most famous player Babe Ruth.

After the break, Larry welcomes J.M.Adams, a journalist with experience reporting for CBS and NBC news affiliates and the author of the thriller novel Second Term. Larry and Adams discuss his love of language and the dedication in his book to the police officers that defended The Capitol during the January 6th insurrection. Then they discuss the protagonist, Cora Walker, and how her ability to survive a male-dominated profession is informed by the experience of his wife, working as a Wall Street executive. Returning to the events of January 6th, Adams frames his novel as a cautionary tale regarding the dangers of authoritarianism in government as the story presents a terrifying future in which politics continues to become extreme and the foundations of democracy are threatened. Finally, they explore strong characters and how they can shape narratives in unexpected way.

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Episode 70 – How Many Threads Takes Us Behind the Scenes of the Basketball World – Rich Cohen & Michelle J. Manno

March 1, 2024Uncategorized1987, Artful periscope podcast, Basketball, Bob Hope, Denied: Women, female Basketball players, Isaiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Larry Davidson, Magic Johnson, mental health sexual orientation, Michelle Manno, NBA, provost Northwestern University, Rich Cohen, sexuality, Sports and the Contradiction of Identity, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, When the Game was Warartfulperiscope

How many threads take us behind the scenes of the basketball world? In this week’s episode of The Artful Periscope,Larry sits down with author Rich Cohen to discuss his latest book, When the Game was War: The NBA’s Greatest Season. The book chronicles the NBA season of 1987 and the basketball stars that dominated the game. Rich discusses his childhood growing up with his basketball coach father and his gradual interest in high school basketball. Then Rich and Larry recall the hidden personal stories of basketball greats such as, Isaiah Thomas’s talented older brother who passed away after a drug overdose, Bob Hope’s unheard of $1,000,000 offer to Larry Bird, and the tragic rivalry between Isaiah Thomas and his former best friend Magic Johnson.

After the break, Larry welcomes Michelle J. Manno to the show to discuss her most recent book Denied: Women, Sports, and the Contradictions of Identity. Michelle, a sociologist and Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern University, highlights the journey of female athletes through a male dominated industry. By interviewing anonymous female basketball players at the college level, Michelle discusses the fine line female players must walk between masculinity and femininity, how the playful filming of a music video during a winter break led the girls to face uncomfortable truths about how the industry weaponizes sexuality, the struggle of maintaining good mental health in the face of physical exhaustion and the importance of intersectionality between race, sexual orientation, and feminism.

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Episode 69 – How Many Threads Do Storytellers Weave Together? – Author S. J. Rozan

February 16, 2024Uncategorizedculture, food, immigrants, Larry Davidson, Love affair, Martin Luther King Jr, Mayors of New York, New York City, object of a story, S. J. Rozan, SJ Rozan, subject of a story, The Booth at The Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

How many threads do storytellers weave together? Joining Larry on the show is return guest S. J. Rozan to talk about her latest work Mayors of New York. S. J. shares that she has a love affair with New York City and wants to share that love with the reader. Larry asks if part of the book was influenced by Jeffrey Epstein and S. J. shares that she is interested in people of a lower social strata. S. J. explains the concept of a character being the “subject or the object” of a narrative. Larry shares his affection for one of S. J.’s character’s mothers and how he missed not having her in this most recent work. Then the conversation evolves into first generation immigrants and how a the place they settle in becomes a hub for their home culture, and the food seems to be the largest representation of their homelands. There was also a great discussion of Martin Luther King as this episode was recorded the day after the holiday.

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Episode 66 – How Many Threads Lead Us To Cultural Dissonance – Author Alma Katsu

January 13, 2024Uncategorized1927, 1940s, Alma Katsu, female spy novelist, Fire Balloons, fire bombing, historical horror novel, japan, japanese internment camp, jet stream, Larry Davidson, Red London, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Furvor, United states, World War IIartfulperiscope

How many threads lead us to cultural dissonance? In this installment of the podcast, Larry invites back to the program author Alma Katsu discussing her latest work The Fervor Larry asks how difficult is it to put a character into a crisis and how they work their way out of that situation? Alma discusses developing conflict in a story and always ask what the worst thing that can happen, then write their way out. Larry talks about how Alma’s culture growing up with a Japanese mother and being a Roman Catholic affects her writing. The book jumps from the 1927 to the 40’s and Larry posits why the basis of the story starts with a man and his family. Larry asks about the “spy balloons” from China and the balloons in Alma’s book and why are balloons so central to the story? There is also a pensive talk about how the settings are also characters in the story. In terms of memory there are 3 types, short term, long term and institutional memory. Larry asks which memory is central to the book? Alma describes how this work is different than most of her other historical horror/fiction. After a break, Larry speaks about storytelling in terms of professional wrestling. Larry watched the sport in the past and has recently began watching once again. In storytelling there are heroes and villains, but in wrestling, there are heels and babyfaces, and Larry speaks about the Netflix series Wrestlers and how the characters personal lives follow their characters.

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Episode 65 – How Many Threads Connect Authors and What We Can Learn – Nelson and Alex DeMille

January 6, 2024UncategorizedAlex DeMille, Blood Lines, co-authoring, Larry Davidson, losing colleagues, Nelson DeMille, storytelling, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, writing style, Writing with a family memberartfulperiscope

How many threads connect authors and what we can learn. On this episode are two amazing authors who really need no introduction. Nelson DeMille and his son Alex DeMille join the program to talk about their latest work Blood Lines. Larry asks what it is like to co-author a book with a fellow family member and also if it was a challenge to find the starting point for the story. Nelson talks about his writing style which is a departure from most authors with a “write as you go” plan. There is also a lively discussion about how the development of the characters develops in the writing process. Nelson and Alex also discuss how they study both current events and do extensive research before formulating a story and Larry posits how losing colleagues in the field can effect writing.

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Episode 64 In the World of Espionage, How Many Threads are Unwoven Author I. S. Berry

December 22, 2023UncategorizedAfghanistan, Cambodia, Espionage, I.S. Berry, iraq, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, master manipulator, Sachem Public Library, spy business, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, The Peacock and the Sparrowartfulperiscope

In the world of espionage, how many threads are unwoven? In this installment of the podcast, Larry chats with author of the book The Peacock and the Sparrow, I. S. Berry. Larry talks of origin stories and asks when a child, where did the door open up to have a thought to be a writer? Ilana shares how she came to work as a spy with her beginnings in law. Larry poses the idea of the importance of trees in storytelling and Ilana shares how the “spy business” is the only career that is made or broken (or even life threatening) by bonds with strangers. Ilana also delves into the nature of manipulation and when you become a master at it, you sometimes cannot see when it is you who are manipulated.

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