Indiana University Press blog

Podcast: Susan Zuccotti discusses Pere Marie Benoit and Jewish Rescue

On this episode of the IU Press podcast, I speak with historian Susan Zuccotti. She is a two-time National Jewish Book Award-winner and author of four previous books on Holocaust history. In her latest book, Père Marie-Benoît and Jewish Rescue, she examines the life of a French priest who helped save many Jews during World War II. We discuss this remarkable man who became known as the “Father of the Jews” on the show.

Podcast: Maria San Filippo discusses 'The B Word'

Often disguised in public discourse by terms like "gay," "homoerotic," "homosocial," or "queer," bisexuality is strangely absent from queer studies and virtually untreated in film and media criticism. On this episode of the IU Press podcast, Maria San Filippo discusses how her new book The B Word helps fill this gap in the study of bisexuality on screen.

Podcast: Jo Paoletti discusses 'Pink and Blue' (now available in paperback)

Jo Paoletti's book, Pink and Blue, is now available in paperback! Paoletti’s journey through the history of children’s clothing began when she asked, “When did we start dressing girls in pink and boys in blue?” Her book analyzes that question by looking at advertisments, catalogs, and other popular media. 

To learn more about this book and the fascinating discoveries Paoletti made while writing it, listen to this IU Press podcast, originally recorded in 2012 when the hardcover version of Pink and Blue came out:

And for those of you in the Maryland area, don't miss your chance to see Jo Paoletti in person! She will discuss her book at the University of Maryland's Speaking of Books series March 26 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the McKeldin Library of Special Events Room. For more information, visit the University of Maryland Libraries website.

Podcast: Rebecca McClanahan discusses her memoir 'The Tribal Knot'

On this episode of the IU Press podcast, author Rebecca McClanahan talks about her new book The Tribal Knot. In this multi-generational memoir, McClanahan delves into her family history to discover more about herself and the forces that formed and continue to form her. She discusses the power of these familial connections and why "we are more than our present-day selves."

And if you're at the AWP Conference this week, don't miss your chance to see Rebecca McClanahan in person! She'll be part of the panel "Turning in Their Graves: Researching, Shaping, and Imagining Our Ancestors' Stories," which takes place at 1:30 p.m. on March 8. The following day at 10 a.m., she'll be signing copies of The Tribal Knot at the Kenyon Review book table. For more information on these and other upcoming author events, visit Rebecca McClanahan's website.

Podcast: Meredith Mason Brown (Touching America's History)

What can historical artifacts teach us about history? In his new book Touching America’s History, Meredith Mason Brown uses 20 objects to summon up major developments in American history. He discusses how these artifacts reveal the birth, growth, and shaping of what is now America on this episode of the IU Press podcast:

Celebrate the release of 'Songs in Sepia and Black and White' this Friday

The Putnam County Library in Greencastle, IN, will host “A Conversation with the Artists: Norbert Krapf, Richard Fields, and Gordon Bonham” October 5. Krapf will perform poems from  Songs in Sepia and Black and White with musical backing provided by Bonham. Fields will also exhibit his photos from the book at the event. The photo exhibit starts at 6:30 p.m. with the performance following at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the library's website.

Preview Norbert's and Gordon's performance of "The Voice" this Friday in this IU Press podcast:

Podcast: Jeffrey Shandler discusses 'Anne Frank Unbound'

On this episode of the IU Press podcast, Jeffrey Shandler discusses Anne Frank Unbound, a new book he co-edited with Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett. As millions of people around the world who have read her diary attest, Anne Frank, the most familiar victim of the Holocaust, has a remarkable place in contemporary memory. Anne Frank Unbound looks beyond this young girl’s words at the numerous ways people have engaged her life and writing.

Remembering 9/11 through poetry: a podcast with Norbert Krapf

Eleven years ago, Norbert Krapf wrote his poem "Prayer to Walt Whitman at Ground Zero" in response to the tragic events of September 11. In this podcast (originally recorded in 2011), we discuss his memories from that day and why he considers this one of his most important poems. A copy of the poem is available here and is part of Krapf's new poetry collection, Songs in Sepia and Black and White.

Podcast: Barbara Shoup discusses her new novel An American Tune

On this episode of the IU Press podcast, I speak with award-winning writer Barbara Shoup about her latest novel An American Tune. An achingly poignant account of a family crushed under the weight of suppressed truths, An American Tune illuminates the irrevocability of our choices and how those choices come to compose the tune of our lives.

Poetry podcast: Norbert Krapf reads "Come with Me" from Songs in Sepia and Black and White

On this episode of the IU Press podcast, Norbert Krapf reads "Come with Me" from his new book Songs in Sepia and Black and White. Norbert calls this poem "a combination of Brothers Grimm, Mother Goose, Southern Indiana woods' worship." He is accompanied by Monika Herzig (also an IU Press author) in this performance.