SUMMARY 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 dur…

EPISODE SUMMARY Clint 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 m…

SUMMARY Mark 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 i…

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…

SUMMARY This 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: BE…

SUMMARY Step 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 t…

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: BESTPART Receive a 25% discount on Ryan's book on M…

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: BESTPART Rece…

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 uncover…

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.…