Transcripts For CSPAN2 Fall 20240703

Latest news about Publishing Industry with interesting insider interviews with Publishing Industry experts. Well also give you updates on current nonfiction authors and books. The latest book reviews. And well talk about the current nonfiction books feature on cspan book tv. And welcome to about books. This week, were focusing on some of the most anticipated nonfiction books released this fall. In a few minutes, well chat with the Tampa Bay Times book editor Collette Bancroft about what shes looking to in the coming months. But heres some news items from, the publishing world. Well, National Book foundation has rescinded drew barrymores invitation to serve as host of this years National Book awards. This is after ms. Barrymore announced that she would resume production of her talk show despite the ongoing hollywood writers strike. Miss barrymores announcement was criticized by writer union groups who promised to picket outside her production studio. Quote, the National Book awards is an evening dedicated to the power of literature and the incomparable contribution of writers to our culture. The National Book foundation said in a statement on twitter. Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the awards remains on celebrating writers and books. And we are grateful to ms. Barrymore and her team for their understanding of this situation. The National Book awards, which booktv will be covering, will take place this year in new york city on november 15th. And in other book news, the Pulitzer Prize board has expanded eligibility for its book awards beyond the current us citizenship requirement. Going forward, permanent residents of the United States and quote those who have made the us their long time primary home will be eligible for the Pulitzer Prize in writing. But there is no change in the requirement that entries be originally publishedn english in the us. Now this change will go into effect with the 2025 award cycle. And now heres a look at some of the offerings that are set to hit the bookstores shelves this fall, including several from current and former members of congress. Kentucky republican senator rand paul is set to release deception. The great covid up thats coming out october 10th. The book explores the origin of covid and federal funding for and gain function research. Senator paul is also dr. Paul. Hes a medical doctor and ophthalmology just who graduated from duke medical school. And of course, you remember his high profile clashes with dr. Anthony fauci during the covid crisis. Regnery is his publisher. This is dr. Pauls sixth book. And regnery landed texas republican senator ted cruzs latest book, unlock how to defeat cultural marxism in america. That comes out november 7th. Now, according to the publishers blurb in this hard hitting new book, senator ted cruz delivers a realistic battle plan for defeating the woke assault on america. Its senator cruzs fourth book and second, in the last two years, he released justice corrupted how the left our legal system last year also through regnery. And two former members of congress republicans, liz cheney and Adam Kinzinger also have books this fall. Mbs cheney mr. Kinzinger, of course, served together as the only republicans on house january 6th. Select mr. Cheneys book, oath, honor, a memoir and a warning will be released on december 5th. Publisher hachette describes her book as a firsthand account of january six, 2021 and its aftermath both by the House Republican leader who dared to stand up to it. Ms. Cheney was defeated in republican primary for her wyoming seat in 2022. Now, Adam Kinzinger is a air force who held a suburban chicago seat in the house for six terms until he decided not to run again in 2022. His new book is titled renege defending democracy and liberty in our divided country. Mr. Kinzinger, this book will be released october 17th. Its been published by the peuin imprint, t field, which is run by former California First lady and journalist maria shriver. And speaking of former President Trump in the house january six select committee, cassidy hutchinson, the former special assistant to. The president will soon release her memoir enough. Ms. Hutchinson became a key witness during house january 6th hearings. Her book is expected to be a tell about her time in the white house and her decision to testify on capitol hill. Thats coming out september 26th, and thats the same day that another high profile Trump Administration staffer will release the book. Kash patel was an adviser to President Trump and chief of staff to the secretary of defense. His book is entitled government gangsters the deep the truth and the battle for our democracy. Two more high profile figures with books in the coming months. Democrat president ial caidate Robert Kennedy jr. Is releasing the wuhan up and the terrifying bio weapons arms race. October and former Washington State High School Football coach joe kennedwill release average joe october 24th. Joe kennedy was at the center of the Supreme Court aft losing his job, following his on field prayers players. Mr. Kennedy won the case and reinstatement in a63 decision. He stepped down from coaching earlier this season while former President Trump is the subject of several books coming out this fall. Abc news chief washington correspondent jonaan karl is releasing tired of winning donald trump and the end of the grand old party november 14th. The mr. Karl wrten two other books about President Trump entitled betrayal and front row at therump show and foer Washington Post executive editor marty baron will release collision of power, trp, bezos and the Washington Post that comes october 3rd. Msnbc anchor ali velshi is releasing a book that compiles the charges former President Trump faces in his four ongoing criminal. And its entitled the trump indictments. The 91 criminal counts against the president of the United States. September 25th is its release date. Well, as we continue to look at some of the fall books that are coming out, there are, several as well, about biden and the democratic party. On october 3rd, breitbart in chief alex marlow will release breaking biden, exposing the Hidden Forces and money machine behind joe biden, his family and his administration and radio host and political commentator mark levin will release his latest. The Democrat Party hates america. On september 19th, other members of the news media are coming out with books this fall. October 10th, fox news host brett baer will release to rescue constitution. George washington and the fragile american experiment october 17th, msnbcs host Rachel Maddow has. Her latest out prequel, an american fight against fascism. And on october 24th, the atlantic journalist Mckay Coppins is a book on the political career of retiring utah republican and senator mitt romney. Its called romney a reckoning and two books about the media are coming out soon, both about fox news. Journalist Michael Wolff is releasing the fall, the end of fox news and the murdoch dysty. September 26th and former cnn brn stelter ireleasing a network of lies the epic saga of fox news, donaldrump and the battle american democracy that comes out on november 14th. And here are a few other nonfiction books to keep an eye out for this fall. Journalist Walter Isaacson is out with a book about tesla founder elon musk. Historian h. W. Brands will release his latest book on november 7th entitled the founding hamilton madison, adams and the brawling birth of american politics. And journalist tim alberta is releasing the kingdom the power and the glory. American evangelicals in an age of extremism that out in early december. Its on november 14th. That journalist garrett grafs latest ufo. The inside story of the us gornment search for alien life and out there will be available that same day. Stford historian Jennifer Burns is set to release milton friedman, the last cservative and the blind side author michael lewiss latest book will focus on the risandal crypto billionaire sam bankmanfried. Its titled going infinite. Its cominout october 3rd. And finally, as we preview some e oks that are coming out this fall, i want to tell you about, one thats coming out september 26th. Its called american gun. Its about the history of the ar 15. Its two wall street urnal reporters Cameron Mcwhorter and sasha ellenson. And youre watching about books on booktv. And were giving you a preview some of the books that are coming out this fall. Joining us now is collette banks. The Tampa Bay Times book. Since 2007. And now joining us on booktv is collette banks. She is the book editor for, the Tampa Bay Times. Miss bancroft, we just a whole bunch of political that are coming out this fall many dealing with the 24 election and and former President Trump etc. Do you look at political books down in florida . Yes. Were sort of awash in politics here in florida. And i do, i have one book thats definitely on my list that i am looking forward to, and thats martinborough and my book collision of power trump, bezos and. The Washington Post. Barron was he retired as executive editor of the Washington Post, but he took on the job not long before jeff bezos bought paper. And then, of course, shortly thereafter, trump became president. And im really looking forward to an inside look at that that political era, which, of course, continues into the present day from someone who is that kind of an insider and a legendary journalist as well. And im also very happy hes going to be my newspapers book event in november to talk about the book. But probably of the political books im looking at, thats the one im most excited to start. So the Tampa Bay Times do you sponsor a book festival or are you just holding individual events . We sponsor a book festival. Its in its 31st year and its called the Tampa Bay Times festival of reading. And this year we have nine authors besides marty baron. We have Michael Connelly and dave barry and lauren groff and a number of other really terrific authors. And im really looking forward to it. I do a lot of on stage interviews with those authors, and its a ton of work, but also highlight of my years. Well, thats something that booktv should look at coming down to and and attending. But one of the authors thats going to be on the book festival circuit, i think, is Walter Isaacson with his new biography of elon musk. Have you had a chance to review that . I have not yet. I am. I am both. Really in it and really im not sure how much ill enjoy it. You know, im not sure if ill love it or be kind of scared by it. Is very controversial figure, but a very powerful figure. And and isaacson, of course, is an old pro at handling that kind of person and looking at their lives and their impact. So i am looking forward to reading it. As i said. Its a fascinating subject musk is a fascinating character for, for good or ill. So, colette bancroft, how long have been doing this and how did you get into the business . I have been the book editor at the times for 16 years and before i was the book editor at the morning newspaper in tucson, arizona, daily star for a few years. And ive had many other newspaper jobs in between. But before i was a journalist, i was an english and an english teacher here in in universities. And just, you know, im the kid whose mother said, put that book down. And outside and play. Ive always loved books and its sort of eventually led into this this path of journalism of being a book editor and book reviewer. And i very lucky to have this job because a, were a vanishing breed and. I was going to say, i think we should applaud the Tampa Bay Times for maintaining a book section in its paper. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. There are two other books coming out fall that i wanted to ask you about before we go to your list. Ruth simmons former president of brown and smith and Prairie University and drew gilpin faust, the former president of harvard, both came out memoirs. Now, is that something that youll be looking at . Yes, it is. And theyre both, you know. The cliche of the glass ceiling. But but they broke. They broke lot of those. And again, its having an insiders view. And theyve had interesting ordinary lives, both of them. So, yes, am i am looking forward to to reading both of those. I think theyre going to be, you know, not am i interested in women in education, but education as a subject is is compelling the moment. Its its in some ways in crisis. So Collette Bancroft, what is on your list to review this fall . Well, i am interested in a cat mohanan book, which is called eve how the female body drove 200 million years of Human Evolution. And she said that the book, the idea of the book was sort of sparked when she talked to a friend about scientific and learned that in all kinds of scientific research, whether its with Human Research subjects or animals the norm, is male. How does affect men or male you know, lab rats or whatever . And what weve discovered recently that that is not a great way to approach scientific research, because womens bodies, female bodies, are different in so many ways. And as she began to look at Human Evolution, theres evidence that women use tools. Before men did of course. Producing milk is what defines mammals and had a huge on Human Evolution and all sorts of things. And so im interested in looking at evolution from that physical point of view and womens role in it. So thats one that i am excited about, looking forward to reading. Im im interested. The new biography by tracey of Larry Mcmurtry called Larry Mcmurtry a life. One of my longtime favorite novelists, lonesome dove, of course, which is, you know, some people put it on that Great American novelist, and its certainly a Great American novel, whether its the Great American novel or. And and also just, he was so prolific, but he also, outside of writing novels, he had an extreme really interesting life as a screenwriter, as a antique books dealer, as all kinds of things. And so i am looking forward to that biography. Im looking forward to a new book by Benjamin Moser moser won the Pulitzer Prize a few years back for his biography of susan sontag, and he has a new called the upside down world meetings with the Dutch Masters as he lives in netherlands. And he moved there when he was quite young in his early twenties, i think. I moved into hes hes an american. Hes i believe he grew up in texas and he moved into a culture and a language that, you know, he knew little about and found himself increasingly engaged with the the huge collections of old masters paintings in dutch museums and going back to them and back to them. And so this book is both a memoir about how that sort of helped him find himself, but also a kind of group biography of those painters of vermeer and, you know, rembrandt, people like that and. And and from a kind of new perspective and, i, i, i love art. I paint myself. Im particularly love some of those painters and i am really looking forward to this, especially because moser is, you know, really excellent biographer so thats another one that is on my list. So Collette Bancroft, youve listed three books that youre looking forward to. Have you ever been disappointed, pointed in a book that youve been looking forward to and had to review it at the same time . Yeah, of course. I mean, that happens. And i dont i wont name names, but but i am sometimes and and that usually happens. Its an author who ive read before and whose work ive liked before. And has a kind of, you know, reputation or standing. And sometimes times, you know, people produce a book thats an, you know, not every book a great one, especially for people who have long careers. And ive had happen and i have had to write negative about them if i tend not to write reviews about like debut books or you know, books that by authors that are not already familiar to people, but if someone is really well known and the book has a lot of buzz and its letdown, i feel an, you know, to write a negative review. So so. So yeah, i do have to do that. What are some of the what are some of the reviews and what is in a that seems to connect to with your readers. I. You know it varies so much from reader to reader. One thing ive learned as a book reviewer is that everybodys approach to books different and there is no such thing as a book that everybody loves. There just isnt. I find it hard to recommend books to individually, to people. I can recommend them to people at large, but its hard to do one on one. But i think like i think they like a sense of voice. If you are either praised or criticizing a book, i think people like to know why. And i do my best when i review books to to give reader a sense of what kind of book that this is so that they can decide whether they want to read it or not, whether i like it or not. Its to me kind of secondary. Its more important to give the reader, a clearer idea that this this kind of book, you know, this is a serious scientific analysis this or this is a hilarious light novel to, you know, to read at the beach and and to kind of judge books on their own terms to tell the reader, this is a book is trying to do this x, y and z and it does it well or it does, but but describe and to me is as important more important than prescription in a book review. Collect bancroft of the Tampa Bay Times. We have time for one more book that youre looking to reviewing. I am. I am looking forward to Tracy K Smith book to free the captive, a plea for the american soul. Shes a former u. S. Poet laureate. But this is this book is prose and its a combination of memoir. Her family, her own Family History and the history, racism in america. And shes such a shes so brilliant as a writer or language or so beautiful and so thoughtful about that. This this combination of memoir and cultural criticism and history really sounds intriguing to me. And im looking forward to them when. What do you read for . Pleasure. I love crime fiction. I read a lot of crime fiction and. I like nonfiction and i read a lot of nonfiction as well. Collette bancroft is the book editor at the tampa times, and we appreciate spending a few with you. My pleasure. Thanks so much. And youre watching about books, a program and podcast by cspans booktv. Well, coming up, its our afterwards program. In new book the sixth journalist lauren grush detailed the history and experiences of the six women selected in 1978 to become americas first female astronaut. She was interviewed by former nasa deputy administrator lori garver. Heres a preview. When i i think about women in this industry, you know, i kind of was drawn to the women who came first, you know, who are the first female space reporters in in this field, and then also who were the first women and in the space industry. And that ultimately led me to this group of six women. And i think i was like most probably most in the public. You know, i had known sally ride, obviously, because was the First American woman in space, but i really didnt have much of a sense of who the other five women were. And when i learned about them and just how easily i could have gone to say judy resnick or anna fisher or of the other six women i was, you know, very fascinated by their stories. And a lot of what ifs kept into my head of thinking, you know, oh, what if it had been somebody else . What if it hadnt been sally . And how that would have changed the history books. And so, you know, it really was a way for me to learn more about them as it as it was to tell their story to everyone else. And a reminder that afterwards airs every at 10 p. M. On booktv. Well, thanks for joining us for about books a program and podcast by cspans book tv booktv will continue to bring you publishing news and author programs and a reminder that you can get this podcast on the cspan now app. You can also watch all booktv programing online. Any time at booktv dot org. Washington journal continues. Host welcome back to washington journal. I am joined by Jerry Dunleavy and james hasson. They are coauthors of the book called