Books & Looks

During World War II, a groundbreaking group of elite female aviators flew over 60 million miles in every type of military aircraft, from the P-51 Mustang to the B-17 Flying Fortress. They were the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP), and after proving that women belonged in the cockpit, their program was abruptly disbanded and their contributions were erased from history for decades. How did this happen? In this episode, we uncover the hidden history of these forgotten pioneers with bestselling author Heather B. Moore.Heather B. Moore's meticulously researched biographical fiction novel, the Lady Flyer book, brings to life the incredible story of Nancy Harkness Love, the quiet, lead-by-example director who founded the program. We explore the immense challenges these WWII female pilots faced, not just in mastering dangerous aircraft, but in battling constant bureaucratic red tape, gender bias, and political opposition. This is the story of how over 1,000 women answered their nation's call, only to be told to go home so men could have their jobs back.In this deep dive, Heather B. Moore reveals the fascinating details behind the WASP program. We discuss the critical difference between the WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) and the broader Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) organization, exploring their 60-million-mile mission to ferry newly built warplanes from factories to air bases across the country. The conversation also delves into the complex and often contentious relationship between the program's two most prominent leaders: the introverted and highly respected Nancy Harkness Love and the aggressive, self-promoting Jackie Cochran, who ran the training division. Heather shares insights from her extensive research, including stories of unimaginable bravery, heartbreaking tragedy, and the internal politics that nearly grounded the program before it could take flight. We also touch upon the shocking dismissal of the WASP in 1944 and their long, arduous fight to gain official veteran status decades later, a testament to the perseverance of these remarkable women.About Our Guest:Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy publications. She is an expert in writing biographical fiction and meticulously researched historical novels that shine a light on forgotten chapters of history. Her works, including Under the Java Moon and the acclaimed Lady Flyer book, are praised for being 90% history, bringing the past to life with compelling accuracy and narrative depth. In this episode, she also gives a sneak peek into her next project about another surprising WWII figure: the French chef Julia Child and her secret work for the OSS.Timestamps / Chapters:(00:00) The Hidden History of America's Female WWII Pilots(04:16) What is Lady Flyer About? The Story of the WASP(05:34) Nancy Love's Inspiration: Witnessing Charles Lindbergh's Landing(09:04) From Barnstormer to Leader: The Rise of Nancy Harkness Love(14:48) The Author's Mission: Discovering This Lost History(23:42) WASP vs. WAFS: Explaining the Acronyms of Female Fliers(25:21) The 60-Million-Mile Mission: What Planes Did the WASP Fly?(31:11) Rivalry & Betrayal: Nancy Love vs. Jackie Cochran(35:59) Dismissed & Forgotten: The Fight for Recognition After WWII(38:34) What's Next? Julia Child's Secret Life in the OSSLearn More From Our Guest / Episode Resources:Get your copy of Lady Flyer by Heather B. MooreLearn more about Heather's other booksWatch on YouTube_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

What if a centuries-old chess piece could trigger a murder spree in modern-day Iceland? Join molecular geneticist and author Sara Winokur as she delves into Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders, a thrilling tale where ancient artifacts, cutting-edge DNA forensics, and a chilling 1627 Turkish pirate raid collide. Discover how this historical fiction/murder mystery unravels centuries-old family secrets and grab your copy of Ivory Bones today, then subscribe to Books and Looks for more deep dives into your next great read!Links:"Ivory Bones" BookSara Winokur WebsiteWatch on YouTubeJoin the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Unparalleled Access: CNN journalist Jill Dougherty spent 30 years inside Russia, witnessing Vladimir Putin's rise from KGB officer to global adversary. In this interview based on her book, "My Russia," she shares unique insights, from covering Gorbachev and Yeltsin to the Ukraine war and surprising personal encounters. Understand the man behind the power, the historical context, and the future challenges in this pivotal region.Links:"My Russia" BookJill Dougherty WebsiteWatch on YouTubeJoin the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Secrets, family drama, and unexpected turns of fate are revealed in author Ruth Foster's unique novel. In this Books and Looks interview, Ruth discusses how "A Perfect Year?" uses annual Christmas newsletters to trace the lives of three families over decades in a British commuter town. Discover the hidden stories in plain sight and the inspiration behind this fascinating tapestry of human experience and suburban life.Links:"A Perfect Year?" BookRuth Foster WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Are you ready to uncover a Gilded Age mystery that blurred the lines between fiction and reality? This week on Books & Looks, join Blaine DeSantis as he talks with acclaimed historical fiction author Marie Benedict about her new book, "The Queens of Crime." Step back to 1931 London, where legendary mystery writers Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Orczy form a secret group to assert their place in a male-dominated world. But when a real-life murder occurs, these literary icons become unlikely detectives, using their mystery-writing prowess to solve a crime the police couldn't. Learn about Benedict's extensive research into the lives of these fascinating women and the historical attitudes they defied. A tale of suspense, murder, and the power of female ingenuity. Don't miss this exclusive interview!Links:"The Queens of Crime" BookMarie Benedict WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Dive into the explosive Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, disco fever, and the birth of iconic TV moments as author David Krell joins Blaine DeSantis to unpack his fascinating book "1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era." From Louisiana Lightning's unstoppable pitching to Robin Williams' star-making alien debut, discover how this pivotal year shaped American culture both on and off the diamond. Whether you're a baseball fanatic or a pop culture enthusiast, this time-traveling journey through a defining year will captivate you with untold stories and nostalgic revelations.Links:"1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era" BookDavid Krell WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Meet Rose Valland, the art historian turned spy who documented the Nazi's massive art theft operation from inside occupied Paris. In this riveting episode, author Michelle Young reveals how Valland secretly recorded details of over 650,000 stolen masterpieces using her near-photographic memory while facing a Nazi death warrant. Young shares previously unknown details about Valland's dangerous double life, her relationship with her British partner Joyce Heer, and how her meticulous documentation became essential to the Monuments Men. This true story of extraordinary courage illuminates how one determined woman risked everything to preserve France's cultural soul during history's darkest hours.Links:"The Art Spy" BookMichelle Young WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

From choosing steak knives for celebrities to outsmarting dawn trash room inspectors, Jamie Cooperstein reveals how rejection from sports broadcasting ("your voice is too local") led her to discover her true calling behind luxury concierge desks. In her memoir "True Hospitality," Cooperstein shares how a decade serving Philadelphia's elite transformed her understanding of human connection and the psychological art of exceptional service. Listen as we uncover why sometimes the uniform we never planned to wear fits us perfectly.Links:"True Hospitality" BookJamie Cooperstein WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

In 1890s Bombay, a murdered silversmith and his partner holding the bloody knife set the stage for a mystery that unveils colonial India's soul. Join author Nev March, born in India herself, as she guides host Blaine DeSantis through the cultural labyrinth of "The Silversmith's Puzzle," where mixed-race detective Captain Jim and his high-society wife Lady Diana navigate forbidden marriages and rigid hierarchies while racing to save an innocent man from the gallows. Beyond the whodunit, discover forgotten historical gems like the "Bombay dog riots" and the real-life business pioneers who inspired characters. This isn't just a murder mystery - it's an intimate journey into a vanished world where solving a crime means understanding the complex cultural tensions that still echo today.Links:"The Silversmith's Puzzle" BookNev March WebsiteWatch on YouTube Join the Newsletter_Produced by Podcast Studio X.

At age six, Pavel Baldea was dragged from his bed at 2AM by Communist police who imprisoned his parents and abandoned their children on the streets. Decades later, after a daring escape across borders to America, this Romanian refugee with a scientific mind has distilled 20 years of biblical study into "The Last Day on Earth," a book that deliberately strips away theological complexity to explore humanity's ultimate questions. Join us for this special Good Friday conversation where Baldea reveals why his "Bible in a capsule" intentionally omits chapter-verse citations most religious texts depend on, how his perspective was forged in the crucible of persecution, and what he believes both ancient wisdom and modern understanding tell us about what awaits beyond this life. Whether you're spiritually curious or deeply devoted, this conversation offers a unique window into how one man's extraordinary journey shaped his understanding of life's final horizon. Links: "The Last Day on Earth" Book: https://amzn.to/3YFcQI7 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iPXUmqDCRvQ Join the Newsletter: https://booksandlookspodcast.com/newsletter/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X.