Podcasts by Madison BookBeat

Prof. Stephen Kantrowitz, ”Citizens Of A Stolen Land: A Ho-Chunk History Of The 19th Century United States.” from 2023-11-28T08:04:32

Stu Levitan’s guest is UW history professor Stephen Kantrowitz, whose new book should be of special interest to those of us here in Teejop. It’s Citizens of a Stolen Land: A Ho-Chunk History of ...

The Life And Music Of Al Jarreau from 2023-11-16T15:27:22

Al Jarreau is one of the most beloved musical artists to come out of Milwaukee, and his music – from jazz to pop to R&B – defies easy classification. He performed with a bevy of jazz musicia...

Poet Tacey M. Atsitty on Risking Your Heart and Being Swallowed Up from 2023-11-06T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Tacey M. Atsitty about her poetry collection (At) Wrist, (2023, The University of Wisconsin Press Press).

In a f...

UW Prof. Stephen Kantrowitz,"Citizens of a Stolen Land: A Ho-Chunk History of the 19th Century United States" from 2023-10-30T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes UW history professor Stephen Kantrowitz, whose new book should be of special interest to those of us here in Teejop, it’s Citizens of a Stolen Land: A Ho-Chunk History of th...

Alison Townsend On The Spirit Of Place from 2023-10-17T18:17:05

On this edition of Madison BookBeat, host Cole Erickson interviews author Alison Townsend.  Alison is an award-winning author of two p...

What Are You Reading? from 2023-10-09T14:00

On Madison Book Beat, we aim to highlight local authors and book events. And sometimes, we hope that you just might learn about the next book on your to-read pile.

On this pledge dr...

Joyce Carol Oates,"Zero-Sum" from 2023-09-25T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes to Madison BookBeat one of our greatest living writers, perhaps the preeminent American writer, Joyce Carol Oates. She holds a master’s degree and an honorary doctorate from...

B. Pladek’s Magical Intersection Of Ecology And History from 2023-09-18T22:36:41

On this edition of Madison BookBeat, host Cole Erickson interviews author Ben Pladek about his debut novel Listen

Jon Melrod's"Fighting Times"in Wisconsin from 2023-09-11T14:00

This week on Madison Book Beat, host David Ahrens speaks with Jonathan Melrod, a prominent radical, political activist, labor organizer, human rights lawyer and pancreatic cancer survivor, now o...

Novelist And Poet Quan Barry On Nonduality, Communicating Beyond Language, And Writing Across Genres from 2023-09-04T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with novelist, poet and playwright Quan Barry about her novel When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East (2022, Vintage) and her forth...

Poet Deshawn McKinney On Vulnerability As A Muscle from 2023-08-21T13:00

On this edition of Madison BookBeat, host Cole Erickson interviews poet Deshawn McKinney. The Milwaukee poet is out with his debut chapbook Listen

Scholar Nicole Fox On Memorials, Transitional Justice, And The Inescapability Of Memory from 2023-08-07T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Nicole Fox about her monograph, After Genocide: Memory and Reconciliation in Rwanda (2021, The University of Wisconsin Press ...

Michael Dorgan,"No Fight, No Blame: A Journalist's Life in Martial Arts"(part 2) from 2023-07-31T16:22:37

Part two of Stu Levitan’s conversation with his friend and former newspaper colleague Michael Dorgan, about his new book No Fight, No Blame: A Journalist’s Life in Martial Arts. It is an absorbi...

On (Short) Storytelling, with Wisconsin writer Steve Fox from 2023-07-17T14:00

The stories included in Steve Fox’s new collection “traverse a tapestry of tenderness, dissonance, indifference, dystopia, and charm.” They frequently feature Midwest settings, Listen

The search for dignity in Palestine, with Christa Bruhn from 2023-07-10T14:00

The Palestinian city of Jenin, in the West Bank, is in international headlines after several were killed and dozens injured in an Israel raid. The city is a significant symbol of Palestinian res...

Local Writer JK Cheema On Writing, Family, And Remembering The Past from 2023-07-03T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with JK Cheema on her new memoir, The Blac...

Jon Shelton on"The Education Myth" from 2023-06-12T14:00

The US education system has been sold as the solution for individual success and economic security. Should that still be the model?

Our guest, Listen

Writer John West On Paradox, Redemption, And Playing Bach from 2023-06-05T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with John West about his genre-bending memoir, Listen

Mark Borthwick,"A Brave and Lovely Woman: Mamah Borthwick and Frank Lloyd Wright" from 2023-05-29T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Mark Borthwick, here to talk about his new biography of his second cousin thrice removed, A Brave and Lovely Woman: Mamah Borthwick and Frank Lloyd Wright, from the good peo...

Public Lies and Professional Secrets in Cold War Washington from 2023-05-22T12:22

How should reporters consider their ethical responsibilities to the public? That's a question studied through a historical lens in a new book by UW-Madison journalism professor Listen

Scholar Sami Schalk On Black Disability Politics from the Black Panthers to the 2020 Uprising from 2023-05-01T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Sami Schalk about her book, Black Disability Politics (2022, Duke University Press).

Across six tightly-argued c...

Madison Infuses Scott Mitchel May’s New Novel, “Breakneck” from 2023-04-17T15:28:21

In Scott Mitchel May’s latest novel, a serial killer who believes he’s possessed by an Irish demi-god haunts Madison while a city detective tracks his patterns for years. A former Capitol intern...

Writer Jeff Sharlet On Whiteness, Slow Civil War, And Harry Belafonte from 2023-04-03T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Jeff Sharlet about his new collection of essays, The Undertow: Scenes from...

Freedom Dreaming with Anisa Yudawanti and Amy Wilson from 2023-03-27T13:00

Jonas Gomez Tijerino welcomes Anisa Yudawanti and Amy Wilson to discuss "What Does it Mean to Tell the Truth", wr...

Nick Vander Puy On The HELP Campaign To Save The Penokees from 2023-03-20T13:00

Madison Book Beat host Gil Halsted sits down in the studio with Nick Vander Puy, journalist and author of the recent book “Water Protectors: The H.E.L.P Campaign to Save the Penokees” (Strong Do...

Poet Jameka Williams On Sex, Race, And Kim Kardashian from 2023-03-06T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Jameka Williams about her Brittingham Prize-winning debut poetry collection, American Sex Tape™ (2022, The University of Wisc...

Frank Emspak,"Troublemaker: Saying No to Power,"part 2 from 2023-03-06T10:27:57

Stu Levitan welcomes WORT’S own Frank Emspak for a special pledge drive conversation about his new memoir Troublemaker: Saying No to Power.

You may know Frank most recently as Prof...

Rebecca Webster On Sovereignty&Threats To The Oneida Nation from 2023-02-20T18:00

For more than a dozen years, Rebecca Webster served as an attorney for the Oneida Nation, at a time when the nation was defending itself against threats to its land and sovereignty.

Author Kathryn Harlan On The Sensual And Unsettling In Storytelling from 2023-02-06T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Kathryn Harlan about her book of short stories, Listen

Brian J. Kramp,"This Band Has No Past: How Cheap Trick Became Cheap Trick" from 2023-01-30T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Brian J Kramp, author of a book about a world-famous band that is technically from Rockford IL, but which owes a lot of its success to Madison. That band of course is Cheap ...

100 Umbrellas by Ron Czerwien from 2023-01-23T13:00

Angie Trudell Vasquez interviews Ron Czerwien on his new collection of poetry, 100 Umbrellas, published by Bent Paddle Press.

Joel Selvin,"Sly And The Family Stone: An Oral History" from 2023-01-09T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes back to the show the award-winning journalist, music critic and author Joel Selvin for a conversation about his classic book Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, out o...

Michael Massey,"More: A Memoir" from 2023-01-02T16:20:38

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison native Michael Massey, the award-winning composer, songwriter, pianist and performer whose musical resume include co-founding the bands Chaser and Boys in White, wr...

Dennis Punzel,"Point Wisconsin! The Road to a National Title for Kelly Sheffield&The Wisconsin Badgers." from 2022-12-26T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes veteran sportswriter and Madison native Dennis Punzel for a conversation about his new book about the Wisconsin Volleyball team, Point Wisconsin! The Road to a National Titl...

Waterbaby By Nikki Wallschlaeger from 2022-12-19T14:09

Madison BookBeat host Angie Trudell Vasquez interviews Nikki Wallschlaeger on Waterbaby, her third collection of poetry...

Helen Shiller,"Daring To Struggle, Daring To Win: Five Decades of Resistance in Chicago's Uptown Community"(part 2) from 2022-12-12T21:29:13

Part two of Stu Levitan’s conversation with one of the most interesting and politically important UW graduates from the late sixties, Helen Shiller. Her career encompassed almost 30 years of civ...

Helen Shiller,"Daring To Struggle, Daring To Win: Five Decades of Resistance in Chicago's Uptown Community" from 2022-11-28T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes one of the most interesting and politically important UW graduates from the late sixties, Helen Shiller, whose career encompassed almost 30 years of civic activism and communit...

Madison Book Beat: Tegan Nia Swanson on"Things We Found When The Water Went Down" from 2022-11-21T14:00

This week, host Angie Trudell Vasquez speaks with local writer Tegan Nia Swanson about ...

Frank Emspak,"Troublemaker: Saying No To Power" from 2022-10-31T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes WORT’S own Frank Emspak about his new memoir Troublemaker: Saying No to Power.

WORT listeners probably know Frank as a co-founder and producer of Madison Labor ...

Peter Fauerbach,"Fauerbach Brewing Company Madison Wisconsin 1848-1967" from 2022-10-24T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Peter Fauerbach, the namesake and great-great-grandson of the founder of the brewing company that is synonymous with Madison, for a discussion of his award-winning, lavishly...

Maggie Ginsberg On Her Debut Novel, “Still True” from 2022-10-17T13:00

In this edition of Madison BookBeat, host Angie Trudell Vasquez speaks with local author Maggie Ginsberg. Her debut novel “Still True,” set in a fictional Wisconsin town, was just published by t...

Wounded Pages: In Conversation with Shahayra Majumder from 2022-10-10T14:00

In this episode of Madison BookBeat, host Jonas Gomez Tijerino speaks with local poet Shahayra Majumder, author of the new chapboo...

Anne Winkler-Morey,"Allegiance to Winds and Waters: Bicycling the Political Divides of the United States." from 2022-09-26T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison native Anne Winkler-Morey for a conversation about her book Allegiance to Winds and Waters: Bicycling the Political Divides of the United States, the narrative of th...

In Conversation With Writer Oscar Hokeah from 2022-09-12T13:00

Today, host Angie Trudell Vasquez speaks to Oscar Hokeah on his debut novel, Calling...

Rob Zaleski,"David Couper Beyond the Badge: Reflections of an Ex-Cop" from 2022-08-29T20:58:17

Stu Levitan welcomes back to the show Rob Zaleski for another conversation about conversations – the 19 interviews he had with former Madison Police Chief David Couper, just published as David C...

Author Rebecca Donner tells Mildred Fish Harnack's story in"All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days" from 2022-04-11T13:00

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, David Ahrens speaks with Rebecca Donner, author of a compelling and deeply-researched biography about her great-great-aunt Mildred Fish Harnack, a Wisconsin...

Jim Berkenstadt,"Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed" from 2022-03-28T20:34:39

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers.

Stu Levitan welcomes back to the program the Rock and Roll Detective himself, Madison’s own Jim Berkenstadt, to talk about his l...

Ed Werstein's Poems From the Headlines from 2022-03-22T20:45:43

Milwaukee poet Ed Werstein's latest collection is titled Communiqué: Poems From The Headlines. The book is sectioned like a newspaper, and Werstein's poems are inspired by headlines both new and...

William S. Becker,"The Creeks Will Rise: People Coexisting With Floods" from 2022-02-28T13:59

Stu Levitan welcomes William S. Becker, executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project and author of, The Creeks Will Rise: People Coexisting With Floods, from the good people at ...

Stuart D. Levitan,"Madison in the Sixties" from 2022-01-31T14:00

Guest host George Dreckmann welcomes Stu Levitan to discuss his book Madison in the Sixties, from the very good people at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Documenting those ...

Christina Clancy,"Shoulder Season" from 2021-12-13T14:00

Our guest today is Madison author Christina Clancy, for a conversation about her new novel, Shoulder Season.  Christi gave a very interesting and engaging talk at the Wisconsin Book Festival in ...

UW Prof. Paige Glotzer,"How the Suburbs Were Segregated: The Business of Exclusionary Housing, 1890-1960" from 2021-12-06T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes UW professor Paige Glotzer, whose first book is the important and eye-opening examination of the origins of systemic racism in housing, How the Suburbs Were Segregated: Deve...

UW Prof. Francine Hirsch,"Soviet Judgment at Nuremberg: A New History of the International Military Tribunal After World War II" from 2021-11-29T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events & publishers

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It's Stu Levitan's birthday, his 68th birthday to be precise, so he's taking the day off and dialing up an encore presentation...

Jackie Lees&KG Miles,"Bob Dylan in London: Troubadour Tales" from 2021-11-22T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers. 

We deviate from the usual concept just a bit this week to welcome Jackie Lees and KG Miles to discuss their book, Bob Dylan in ...

Lisa S. Johnson,"Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock" from 2021-11-15T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book event and publishers.

Stu Levitan deviates a bit from that concept today with his guest Lisa S. Johnson because she’s got a new book out which you might want ...

George Hesselberg,"Dead Lines: Slices of Life from the Obit Beat" from 2021-11-08T14:01

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers Today’s program hits for the cycle, as we welcome George Hesselberg. His book Deadlines: Slices of Life from the Obit Beat, a collection of obit...

Jim Berkenstadt,"The Beatle Who Vanished." from 2021-11-01T14:00

As the world eagerly awaits Peter Jackson’s documentary about the Beatles last public performance, Stu Levitan welcomes Jim Berkenstadt, author of The Beatle Who Vanished, to discuss a fascinati...

Terry Frei,"Third Down And A War To Go: The All-American 1942 Wisconsin Badgers" from 2021-10-25T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers.

We click on two of the criteria today as Stu welcomes the award-winning journalist Terry Frei, author of Third Down and a W...

Prof. Chad Alan Goldberg,"Education For Democracy: Renewing The Wisconsin Idea" from 2021-10-11T14:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, time for the Wisconsin Book Festival, and Stu Levitan welcomes one of the featured presenters, University of Wisconsin Professor Chad Alan Goldberg, edi...

Prof. Patrick W. Steele,"Home of the Braves: The Battle for Baseball in Milwaukee" from 2021-10-04T14:00

Stu Levitan interviews Prof. Patrick W. Steele about his award-winning book, "The Home of the Braves: The Battle for Baseball in Milwaukee," from the University of Wisconsin Press.

Dave Zirin,"The Kaepernick Effect: Taking A Knee, Changing The World" from 2021-09-27T14:00

On the second and last Madison BookBeat show during the fall pledge drive, Stu Levitan welcomes a long-time friend of community radio and other alternative media, Dave Zirin. His new book T...

Nicholas D. Hayes,"Frank Lloyd Wright’s Forgotten House: How An Omission Transformed The Architect’s Legacy" from 2021-09-20T14:00

For his first show during the fall pledge drive, Stu Levitan welcomes Nicholas D. Hayes, author of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Forgotten House: How An Omission Transformed The Architect’s Legacy&n...

Jonathan Z. S. Pollack,"Wisconsin, The New Home of the Jew: 150 years of Jewish life at the UW-Madison" from 2021-09-13T14:00

Stu Levitan marks the Jewish High Holy Days with an encore presentation of his conversation from April 2020 with Jonathan Z. S. Pollack, History instructor at Madison College and Honorary Schola...

David Maraniss,"Path Lit By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe" from 2021-09-06T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison’s favorite journalistic son, and his most frequent guest, David Maraniss. As proud Madisonians know, David grew up on the west side, the son of Capital Times editor ...

Richard L. Pifer,"The Great War Comes to Wisconsin: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Free Speech in a Time of Crisis" from 2021-08-30T14:00

Stu welcomes Richard L. Pifer for a discussion of his book “The Great War Comes to Wisconsin: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Free Speech in a Time of Crisis.” It’s from our very good friends at the ...

UW Prof. John Milton Cooper, Jr.,"Woodrow Wilson: A Biography,"part 2 from 2021-08-23T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes UW Professor Emeritus John Milton Cooper, Jr., for part two of their discussion of one of the most important presidents in American history – Thomas Woodrow Wilson, whose le...

Jennifer Chiaverini,"The Women's March" from 2021-08-16T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers

Stu Levitan welcomes NY Times best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini, here to discuss her latest novel of historical fiction, The Wome...

Jesse Garcia,"Going For Wisconsin Gold: Stories Of Our State Olympians" from 2021-07-26T14:00

Well, against much of the world’s better judgement, the Olympics are underway, so we have dialed up an encore presentation of our conversation with Madison native and forme...

Barrett Swanson,"Lost In Summerland" from 2021-07-19T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers

Stu Levitan welcomes one of the most interesting and insightful essayists on the scene today, Barrett Swanson, here to discuss his outs...

UW Prof. Jordan Ellenberg,"Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else." from 2021-07-12T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes one of the brightest stars in the firmament that is the University of Wisconsin faculty, Professor Jordan Ellenberg, here to talk about his New York Times best-seller, Shape...

Joan Steinau Lester,"Loving Before Loving: A Marriage In Black And White" from 2021-07-05T16:24:30

Stu Levitan welcomes the social justice activist, educator, award-winning columnist, and author Joan Steinau Lester. Her memoir Loving Before Loving: A Marriage in Black and White is just out fr...

Andrew Maraniss,"Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke" from 2021-06-21T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes award-winning and bestselling author Andrew Maraniss for a special Pride month conversation about Glenn Burke, who was a rising young star in Major League Baseball in the la...

Joel Selvin,"Hollywood Eden: Electric Guitars, Fast Cars, and the Myth of the California Paradise" from 2021-06-14T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes the award-winning journalist, music critic and author Joel Selvin for a conversation about his new book Hollywood Eden: Electric Guitars, Fast Cars, and the Myth of the Cali...

Patty Loew,"Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal" from 2021-05-31T14:29:36

Stu Levitan welcomes the renowned broadcast journalist, educator and author Patty Loew, formerly of Madison, for a conversation about the second edition of her award-winning book Indian Nations ...

Jonathan Taplin,"The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life" from 2021-05-24T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes someone who’s had an exceptionally interesting and varied career in music, movies, finance and technology - Jonathan Taplin, author of The Magic Years: Scenes From a Rock an...

Carl Hiaasen,"Squeeze Me" from 2021-05-17T15:07:57

Stu Levitan welcomes the award-winning comic novelist and just-retired columnist for the Miami Herald Carl Hiaasen, coming to the Wisconsin Book Festival for a virtual appearance at the Madiso...

Jeff Kannel,"Make Way For Liberty: Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War" from 2021-05-10T19:07:54

Stu Levitan welcomes Jeff Kannel, author of Make Way For Liberty: Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War from our very good friends at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

When t...

Alison Bechdel,"The Secret To Superhuman Strength" from 2021-05-03T17:34:28

Stu Levitan welcomes the cartoonist Alison Bechdel, whose long-awaited graphic memoir The Secret to Superhuman Strength comes out tomorrow and is already receiving rave reviews. It also features...

Richard Jones,"Poetry East" from 2021-04-19T16:58:28

Stu Levitan celebrates National Poetry Month by welcoming Professor Richard Jones of DePaul University, editor of its award-winning illustrated literary journal Poetry East, now celebrating its ...

Edward Ball,"Life Of A Klansman: A Family History In White Supremacy" from 2021-04-12T14:00

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers

Stu Levitan welcomes Edward Ball, his latest book is the most extraordinary family memoir I have ever read, Life Of A Klansman: ...

Sarah Chayes,"On Corruption In America And What Is At Stake" from 2021-04-05T15:39:53

Stu Levitan welcomes Sarah Chayes, her latest book is On Corruption in America and What is At Stake, from the good people at Penguin Random House.

It has been said that the love of money ...

Brian Alexander,"The Hospital: Life, Death and Dollars in a Small American Town" from 2021-03-29T17:37:13

Stu Levitan welcomes Brian Alexander, his new book is The Hospital: Life, Death and Dollars in a Small American Town, just out from the good people at St. Martin’s Press.  Brian will be presenti...

Miles Harvey,"The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch" from 2021-03-22T17:35:31

Stu Levitan welcomes Miles Harvey for a conversation about his new book, The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of ...

Howard Sherman,"Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the 21st Century" from 2021-03-15T14:00

Stu Levitan welcomes Howard Sherman, author of Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the 21st Century as we add a new category – books about plays by Madison playwrights. That’s rig...

UW Prof. Chad Alan Goldberg,"Education for Democracy: Renewing the Wisconsin Idea" from 2021-03-08T13:20:40

Madison authors, topics, book events and publishers

Stu Levitan welcomes University of Wisconsin Professor Chad Alan Goldberg, editor of an important new volume Education for Democracy: R...

Madeline Uraneck,"How to Make a Life: A Tibetan Refugee Family and the Midwestern Woman They Adopted" from 2021-03-01T21:54:54

Stu Levitan interviews Madeline Uraneck, author of How to Make a Life: A Tibetan Refugee Family and the Midwestern Woman They Adopted (Wisconsin Historical Society P...

Danielle Evans,"The Office of Historical Corrections" from 2021-02-22T16:19

An encore presentation of a program which originally aired November 23, 2020.

Stu Levitan welcomes one of the brightest new stars in the literary firmament, Danielle Evans, coming back to...

UW Prof. John Milton Cooper, Jr.,"Woodrow Wilson: A Biography,"part 1 from 2021-02-15T18:07:15

On this third Monday of February, a day commonly, but mistakenly, called President’s Day, Stu Levitan welcomes UW Professor Emeritus John Milton Cooper, Jr., for a discussi...

Danez Smith,"Homie" from 2021-02-08T14:43:12

As part of WORT's continuing celebration of Black culture and history, a special rebroadcast of a candid conversation that first aired live on February 10, 2020.

Stu Levitan welcomes the ...

R. Richard (Dick) Wagner,"We’ve Been Here All Along: Wisconsin’s Early Gay History" from 2021-02-07T03:09:58

Stu Levitan welcomes R. Richard (Dick) Wagner, author of We’ve Been Here All Along: Wisconsin’s Early Gay History, covering the period from territorial days to the 1960s...

Rob Zaleski,"Ed Garvey Unvarnished: Lessons from a Visionary Progressive" from 2021-02-06T22:44:22

Stu Levitan welcomes journalist and author Rob Zaleski, for a conversation about his new book Ed Garvey Unvarnished: Lessons from a Visionary Progressive. Published by our ...

Matt Levin, “Cold War University – Madison and the New Left in the Sixties” from 2021-02-06T22:32:49

Stu Levitan welcomes Matthew Levin, who scores a trifecta -- he’s a Ph D from the UW, and the author of “Cold War University – Madison and the New Left in the Sixties” from...

Bill Christofferson,"The Man From Clear Lake: Earth Day Founder Senator Gaylord Nelson" from 2021-02-06T22:26:21

Stu Levitan welcomes former Madison journalist Bill Christofferson, author of The Man From Clear Lake: Earth Day Founder Senator Gaylord Nelson, himself a former Mad...

Andrew Maraniss, "GAMES OF DECEPTION, The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team, and the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany." from 2021-02-06T22:17:04

Stu Levitan welcomes a true grandson of Madison, Andrew Maraniss, coming back this Thursday, at least virtually, for a presentation of his new award-winning book GAMES OF DECEPTION, the true s...

John Nichols, " The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party: The Enduring Legacy of Henry Wallace’s Anti-Fascist, Anti-Racist Politics," from 2021-02-06T22:10:49

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison’s own John Nichols for a discussion of his new book The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party: The Enduring Legacy of Henry Wallace’s Anti-Fascist, Anti-Raci...

Dean Strang, "Keep the Wretches in Order: America’s Biggest Mass Trial, the Rise of the Justice Department and the Fall of the IWW " from 2021-02-06T22:05:58

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison attorney and author Dean Strang, whose latest book Keep the Wretches in Order: America’s Biggest Mass Trial, the Rise of the Justice Department and the Fall of the...

Danielle McGuire, "At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape and Resistance–a New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power" from 2021-02-06T21:48:10

Stu Levitan welcomes Danielle McGuire, author of the ground-breaking and award-winning book, At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape and Resistance–a New History of the Civil Rights M...

Dennis Dresang, "Patrick J. Lucey: A Lasting Legacy" from 2021-02-06T21:34:10

Stu Levitan welcomes UW Professor Emeritus Dennis Dresang, author Patrick J. Lucey:  A Lasting Legacy. It’s the first biography of the late Governor of Wisconsin, and it’s just out from our good fr...

Harvey Briggs, "Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: Making A Legend" from 2021-02-06T21:26:05

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison’s own Harvey Briggs, co-author of a book that, frankly, may be just a little outside the traditional interests and experiences of the average WORT listener. The book is...

Sarah Kendzior, "Hiding In Plain Sight: The Invention Of Donald Trump" from 2021-02-06T21:16:31

Stu Levitan welcomes Sarah Kendzior, author of Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America, just out from the good people at Flatiron Press.
Sarah is the f...

Ursula Lawrence, "The French Republican Wall Calendar" from 2021-02-03T23:44:57

Stu Levitan welcomes Ursula Lawrence, television comedy writer, union organizer, recreator of the French Republican Wall Calendar, and so truly a daughter of Madison the great radical newspape...

Larry "Ratso" Sloman, "On The Road With Bob Dylan" from 2021-02-03T23:27

 
Stu Levitan welcomes a special guest for a special topic on this day after Bob Dylan’s 79th birthday.
We’re joined by The Rev. L. J. Sloman of the Last Exit Before the Freeway Church of ...

Greg Renz, "Beneath The Flames" from 2021-02-03T23:03

 
Stu Levitan welcomes Madison native and retired Milwaukee Fire Captain Gregory Renz, author of the award-winning debut novel, Beneath the Flames, and an actual hero.
Guilt. Inner peace. ...

Jesse Garcia, "Going For Wisconsin Gold: Stories Of Our State's Olympians" from 2021-02-03T22:58

 
Stu Levitan welcomes Madison native and former WISC TV sports reporter and anchor Jessie Garcia, in a conversation about her book Going For Wisconsin Gold: Stories of Our State’s Olympians, f...

Daphne E. Barbee-Wooten, "Justice For All: Selected Writings Of Lloyd A. Barbee" from 2021-02-03T22:51

 
Welcome to a special Martin Luther King Day episode of Madison BookBeat, where our topic is one of Wisconsin’s greatest civil rights leaders, the late Lloyd Barbee. Our guest is his daughter,...

Mary Lang Sollinger, "From Inspiration To Activism: A Personal Journey Through Obama's Presidential Campaign" from 2021-02-02T23:48

Stu Levitan welcomes Madison’s own Mary Lang Sollinger, founder and former owner of The Peacock clothing store on State Street, activist and community organizer, former mayoral candidate, Democrati...

Prof. Francine Hirsch, "Soviet Judgment At Nuremberg: A New History Of The International Military Tribunal After World War II" from 2021-02-01T20:15

On November 20 1945, the United States, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union opened the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, putting on trial 22 Nazi leaders and seven organ...

Stephen Coss, "The Fever of 1721: The Pandemic That Revolutionized Medicine and American Politics' from 2020-11-30T09:07

 
Stu Levitan welcomes Madison author Stephen Coss, to discuss his all-too relevant book, The Fever of 1721: The Epidemic That Revolutionized Medicine and American Politics.
That fever was...

David Maraniss, "A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Family" from 2020-11-16T15:24

An encore presentation of a conversation with Madison’s own David Maraniss, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, associate editor for the Washington Post and best-selling author, about h...

Nicholas Lemann, "Transaction Man: Traders, Disrupters and the Dismantling of Middle-Class America" from 2020-11-09T16:07

Stu Levitan welcomes the distinguished author, educator and journalist Nicholas Lemann, who will be appearing this Thursday at the Wisconsin Book Festival to discuss his book Transaction Man: Trade...

Aimee Nezhukumatathil, "World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks and Other Astonishments" from 2020-11-09T15:52

Stu Levitan welcomes a guest who meets two of the criteria as a former Badger who will be appearing next week at the Wisconsin Book Festival. Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of an enchanting an...

Sarah M. Broom, "The Yellow House" from 2020-11-01T12:43

Madison BookBeat host Stu Levitan welcomes National Book Award- winner Sarah M. Broom, author of The Yellow House, just out in a new paperback edition from Grove Atlantic. Her new virtual book tou...

R. Richard (Dick) Wagner, "Coming Out, Moving Forward: Wisconsin's Recent Gay History" from 2020-11-01T12:28

Stu Levitan welcomes back to Madison BookBeat R. Richard (Dick) Wagner, to continue the conversation about his new book, Coming Out, Moving Forward: Wisconsin’s Recent Gay History. It’s the compani...

Charles Monroe-Kane, "Lithium Jesus: A Memoir of Mania" from 2020-11-01T12:19

Stu Levitan welcomes the award-winning producer and interviewer of Wisconsin Public Radio’s nationally syndicated To The Best Of Our Knowledge, Madison’s own Charles Monroe-Kane.
Charles Monroe...

Glenn Silber, "The War At Home" from 2020-11-01T12:00

Stu Levitan welcomes the award-winning filmmaker and UW alum Glenn Silber for a conversation about The War at Home, the Academy Award-nominated documentary about the antiwar movement in Madison in ...

Prof. Paige Glotzer, "How the Suburbs Were Segregated: Developers and the Business of Exclusionary Housing, 1890-1960." from 2020-09-28T22:45

Stu Levitan welcomes UW Prof. Paige Glotzer to discuss the origins of system racism in suburban housing developments on Madison BookBeat on WORT 89.9 FM Madison WI

Rick Perlstein, "Reaganland" from 2020-08-31T23:19

 
Stu Levitan welcomes Rick Perlstein to Madison Bookbeat to discuss his new book, Reaganland.
In the presidential campaign of 1964, Lyndon Johnson so thoroughly crushed Barry Goldwater tha...

Greg Mitchell, “The Beginning Or The End: How Hollywood – And America – Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb” from 2020-08-10T15:32

“The Beginning or the End” was a B movie about the A bomb, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in February, 1947. It promised to disclose what it called “the biggest, best-kept secret in the history of...

Patrick W. Steele, “Home Of The Braves: The Battle For Baseball In Milwaukee” from 2020-08-03T15:30

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a great, even historic, baseball heritage, dating to the late nineteenth century. Mid-twentieth century, the minor league Milwaukee Brewers were frequent league champs, and...

Larry Tye, “Demagogue: The Life And Long Shadow Of Senator Joe McCarthy” from 2020-07-27T15:28

Joseph Raymond McCarthy was a farm boy from the Fox River Valley, grandson of Irish-German immigrants. Highly intelligent and industrious, a teenage poultry tycoon, and a war hero as well. But the ...

P. Carl, "Becoming A Man: The Story of a Transition" from 2020-02-17T23:53

 
Stu Levitan welcomes  P. Carl, author of “Becoming A Man: The Story of a Transition,” his transition from the misgendered Polly Kathleen Carl to the man he always knew he was, and  the man he...