A Deadman's Books

Two men are seeking redemption. Both of their hopes intersect and land on the same set of interviews to change their public image and restore them back to the figures that they once were. David Frost thinks that he will be going up against a loser, clumsy ex-president in Richard Nixon. Nixon thinks that he will be going up against softball questions from a British talk show host who is on the verge of washing out. Both are in store for a surprise. As always, our in-house Richard Nixon expert Russ Witcher sits down with us to answer the hard questions: Did these interviews shape modern journalism? Is Richard Nixon really a likeable, relatable person who just made a mistake that went too far? Who has the best Richard Nixon impersonation? Jason Crockett and Russ Witcher join us today as we answer these questions and more. Thanks for listening!Resources for today's episode:Frost/Nixon by Peter MorganTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature #frostnixon #nixon #richardnixon #POTUS #america #president #vietnam #play #broadway

When Julius Caesar dies, he leaves in his will for his adoptive son Octavius to ascend as his heir. Caesar the August comes to Rome, but finds that there are many plots surrounding him in the world of Roman politics. John Williams's epistolary novel AUGUSTUS covers the political rise and life of Octavius Caesar the August through letters, journal entries, and memoirs from those that surrounded him. From close friends and family, to bitterest enemies and schemers, John Williams's novel brings out this interesting period of history in a unique way. We're asking the tough questions: What would you do to cover for you child? What would a modern Marc Antony look like? Would you help some one that was floating down a river? Jason Crockett joins us as we ask these and more on this week's episode.Thanks for listening!Resources for today's episode:Augustus by John WilliamsTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature #rome #romanempire #casear #augustus #ancientrome

When the Ides of March come upon them, Brutus and Cassius decide that they must take the fate of their beloved Rome into their hands. With the assassination of Julius Caesar, Rome is thrown into chaos. With seemingly no plan after they finish the killing, two sides develop between Brutus and Cassius / Marc Antony and Octavius. William Shakespeare walks us through a story of loyalty, betrayal, pride, and blindness. We're asking the tough questions: Is Brutus sympathetic? Is Marc Antony a good guy? Can you separate politics from your friends? Jason Crockett joins us as we answer these and more. Thanks for listening!Resources for today's episode:The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William ShakespeareTheme song to A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas

John Pearson meets the love of his life, Lucy, and begins his life with her as a preacher and contractor. Unfortunately, John's weakness for women lead him to a tumultuous experience between he and Lucy, and his next wife who captures him through voodoo.This week's curation:Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neal HurstonSweat by Zora Neal HurstonZora Neal Hurston on Zombies (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmKPjh5RX6c)Meet the Past featuring Zora Neal Hurston (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=023WLvot4Y8) #booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature

Janie Crawford's grandmother has a plan for her life, and it's one that Janie doesn't agree with. After attempting to make the plan happen, she leaves her arranged marriage with Logan Killicks for the sweet talking Joe Starks. Starks takes Janie to Eatonville, Florida where Janie seems to be living her dream life. However, before long, she sees she is still in the same relationship she was before. After Starks dies, Janie comes across someone younger than her in Tea Cake. While Tea Cake may seem like someone you don't write home about, he gives Janie the life she has always dreamed of. One of true love. However, a storm is brewing, and things will change. Today, we cover our 2025 best read of the year: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. This episode is split into two parts. In part two, we're asking the tough questions. How is a book about a state's heritage banned by that state? Where does Hurston stand in top 5 books in American canon? Jason Crockett joins us as we answer these and more.Thanks for listening!Resources for today's episdoe:Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale HurstonTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature #hurston #ZoraNealeHurston

Janie Crawford's grandmother has a plan for her life, and it's one that Janie doesn't agree with. After attempting to make the plan happen, she leaves her arranged marriage with Logan Killicks for the sweet talking Joe Starks. Starks takes Janie to Eatonville, Florida where Janie seems to be living her dream life. However, before long, she sees she is still in the same relationship she was before. After Starks dies, Janie comes across someone younger than her in Tea Cake. While Tea Cake may seem like someone you don't write home about, he gives Janie the life she has always dreamed of. One of true love. However, a storm is brewing, and things will change. Today, we cover our 2025 best read of the year: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. This episode is split into two parts. In part one, we're asking the tough questions. Is Hurston's dialogue harmful or authentic? Would we let our daughters date Tea Cake? Did the dog bite her? Jason Crockett joins us as we answer these and much more in today's episode. Thanks for listening!Resources for today's episdoe:Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale HurstonTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature #hurston #ZoraNealeHurston

When a stranger and his daughter are stranded, single mother Collie Wright welcomes them into her home. Little does she know that those walking up to her house will be the future half of her family, and also reveal a deep secret through an accidental murder that she has been covering up. We're asking the tough questions: What sacrifices are parents willing to make for their children? How should we as parents react if our children turn into people we didn't expect them to be? Why are those in Appalachia so connected to the land? Amy Hawkins joins us as we talk about this and more in today's episode.Thanks for listening! Resources for today's episode:The Winter People by John EhleTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature

For 25 years, a local television show captured time that defined a region. WBIR's The Heartland Series began as a way to showcase the most beautiful place in the world: The Great Smoky Mountains. However, the show evolved into much more as it expanded in documenting the culture and people of East Tennessee, the Upper Cumberland, and parts of Western North Carolina. On the heels of our fantastic interview with the icon and host of The Heartland Series Bill Landry, Jason Crockett joins us as we take a walk back through some of our favorite episodes of The Heartland Series. We also play a little Appalachian vocabulary quiz, and this or that Appalachia edition.Thanks for listening!Resources for today's show:The Heartland SeriesFoxfire: StoryTheme song for A Deadman's Books: Surfing! by automaticbananas#booktube #booktok #bookstagram #ReadersofYouTube #Bookish #CurrentlyReading #BookCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview #BookLovers #Lit #Literature #Appalachia #appalachian #easttn #Tennessee #BillLandry