Tag Archives: World War II

Episode 28 – How Many Threads Connect Us to a Journey – S.J. Rozan & Tom Clavin



How many threads connect us to a journey?  S. J. Rozan joins the program along with her feline companion to speak about her latest work Family Business, a work nominated for the G.P Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award.  Along with articulating the complexities of Chinatown, the Tong organized crime family, and the hierarchy of Chinese culture, S. J. and Larry draw a comparison between the film In the Heights comparing “abuela” in latin culture and “gao” in Tong culture.  S.J. also posited that there are 2 things a writer cannot do to a reader and how sidekicks are a must in crime fiction.

Returning to the podcast is Larry’s old friend Tom Clavin.  Tom has returned to speak with Larry about his old friend and collaborative co-author Phil Keith who recently passed, and to talk about his book Lightning Down, the story of Lt. Joe Moser, a P-38 Lightning pilot downed in World War II.  Tom speaks about his love of research in preparation for writing, his love of military aircraft and how it played into his love for the P-38.  In his research for the book, Tom learned of a chance encounter between Lt. Moser and a bomber crew member years after the war and their amazing connection.  Larry and Tom also reflect on how Moser may have interacted with the fellow who inspired the character 007, James Bond.  Please also check out Tom’s newest work To the Uttermost Ends of the Earth, which chronicles a US Civil War naval battle off the coast of Europe.


Episode 22 – How Many Threads Lead Us to Survival – Author Erika Hecht & Rory Vecsey



How many threads lead us to survival?  Larry is joined by Erika Hecht, author of the book Don’t Ask my Name: A Hidden Child’s Tale of Survival a story of her life surviving German occupation during World War II and in post war Europe as a Jewish person who converted to Catholicism.  Erika discusses mixed traditions and how it saved her and her family’s life.

Joining the Podcast for the new feature Rory’s Island is Rory Vecsey.  Rory explores the plight of women in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control.  She also discusses their hopes of a full life an education before the fall of the nation and the fear and courage that they muster in the shadow of Taliban rule.


Episode 17 – What Are the Threads that Connect Us to a Series of Events: Heather Martin, Jennifer Murphy and Danny Caine



What are the threads that connects to a series of events?

Joining Larry for a chat is Heather Martin, author of The Reacher Guy: A Biography of Lee Child.  Heather talks about meeting Lee Child and her inspiration for writing the book.  We learn what roles the Great War and World War II had in forming Lee’s perceptions of the world and what fiction stories say about the locations in which they are set.

Jennifer Murphy, the author of First Responder: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Love on New York City’s Frontlines discussing how words move us in relationships, connections and institutions.  Jennifer shares her early years, life as a first responder in Brooklyn, New York, a battle with malignant melanoma and dealing with the death of loved ones and colleagues in the wake of 9-11.

Finally, some thoughts an observations, an open letter to Jeff Bazos of Amazon by Danny Caine from Raven Books in Lawrence, Kansas.