Reader's Corner

<p>Welcome to Reader's Corner, a weekly radio show hosted by Boise State University president emeritus Bob Kustra that features lively conversations with some of the nation's leading authors about issues and ideas that matter today.</p><p>Support for this podcast comes from Saint Alphonsus Orthopedic and Sports Medicine</p>

“The Folly of Realism” by Alexander Vindman

An interview with Alexander Vindman, author of The Folly of Realism. The book offers a chilling analysis of how Western indecision made possible the return of brutal Russian expansionism with terrifying consequences.

12-06
30:01

“A Certain Amount of Madness” by Amber Murrey

An interview with Amber Murrey, author of A Certain Amount of Madness. Published on the 30th anniversary of his assassination, the book illustrates how Thomas Sankara’s legacy continues to provide lessons and hope for decolonisation struggles today. 

11-29
29:56

“Preparing for War” by Bradley Onishi (Part II)

An interview with Bradley Onishi, author of Preparing for War. The book is an engrossing account of the years-long campaign of White Christian nationalism that led to the insurrection of January 6.Note: This is the second half of a two-part interview. This is also an encore edition of Reader’s Corner - the episode originally aired in March 2023.

11-22
32:00

“Preparing for War” by Bradley Onishi (Part I)

An interview with Bradley Onishi, author of Preparing for War. The book is an engrossing account of the years-long campaign of White Christian nationalism that led to the insurrection of January 6. Note: This is the first half of a two-part interview. 

11-15
29:31

"Daughters of the Bamboo Grove” by Barbara Demick

An interview with Barbara Demick, author of the new book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove. The book tells the heartbreaking story of twin sisters torn apart by China’s one-child policy and the rise of international adoption.

11-08
30:02

"We the People" by Jill Lepore

An interview with Jill Lepore, celebrated historian and author of We the People. The book offers a totally new look at the history of the U.S. Constitution, by amendment and interpretation. 

11-01
30:30

"Medicine River" by Mary Annette Pember

An interview with Mary Annette Pember, author of Medicine River. The book is a wide-ranging and deeply personal account of Native American boarding schools in the United States, taking a hard look at their intent and legacy of abuse.

10-25
30:54

"Afterlives" by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Bob Kustra interviews Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nobel Prize winner and author of the novel, Afterlives. The book is a multi-generational saga of displacement, love and loss, set against the brutal colonization of east Africa.Note: This is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The episode originally aired in February 2023.

10-18
37:45

"Looking at Women Looking at War" by Victoria Amelina

An interview with Joanna Kakissis, joining the program to talk about the late Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, and her book, Looking at Women Looking at War.

10-11
32:06

"Twist" by Colum McCann

An interview with Colum McCann about his latest novel, Twist. A book of rupture and relationships in the digital age, the story dives into the hidden world at the bottom of the ocean. 

10-04
30:10

"The Ride" by Kostya Kennedy

An interview with Kostya Kennedy, author of The Ride. The book offers a fresh perspective of Paul Revere’s historic ride, with new research into little-known aspects of the story many Americans have heard since childhood. 

09-27
30:12

"Sleeping Bear" by Connor Sullivan

An interview with Connor Sullivan, author of the new novel, Sleeping Bear. In the book, a former Army veteran seeking solitude in the Alaskan wilderness finds herself a pawn in a deadly game with Russia.

09-20
30:00

"Spitfires" by Becky Aikman

An interview with Becky Aikman, author of the new book, Spitfires. The book unveils the daring true story of the American women who piloted World War II planes through the treacherous skies of Britain.

09-13
30:12

"The Ransomware Hunting Team" by Daniel Golden

An interview with Daniel Golden, author of The Ransomware Hunting Team. The book is a real-life technological thriller about a band of eccentric misfits taking on the biggest cybersecurity threats of our time. Note: this is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The episode originally aired in February 2023. 

09-06
32:50

"The Oligarch's Daughter" by Joseph Finder

An interview with Joseph Finder, author of the new novel, The Oligarch’s Daughter. The book is a thrilling story of dizzying spycraft following an everyman on the run for his life.

08-30
30:10

"A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

An interview with Zach Weinersmith, co-author of the new book, A City on Mars. The book is a funny and deeply-researched off-world investigation into the question of space settlement.

08-23
30:10

"Africa is Not a Country" by Dipo Faloyin (Part II)

An interview with Dipo Faloyin, debut author of Africa is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent. In the book, Faloyin explores the youth-led cultural and political movements that are defining and reimagining Africa on their own terms. This is the second of a two-part interview. 

08-16
34:45

"The Doorman" by Chris Pavone

An interview with Chris Pavone, author of the thrilling novel, The Doorman. The book follows a blue collar doorman for a glitzy apartment building in a combustible story of class, privilege, sex, and murder.

08-09
30:12

"Paris Undercover" by Matthew Goodman

An interview with Matthew Goodman, author of Paris Undercover. The book tells the gripping story of two women in Nazi-occupied Paris who create a daring escape line that rescues dozens of Allied servicemen.

08-02
30:11

"Africa is Not a Country" by Dipo Faloyin (Part I)

An interview with Dipo Faloyin, debut author of Africa is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent. In the book, Faloyin explores the youth-led cultural and political movements that are defining and reimagining Africa on their own terms.

07-26
29:45

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