Eyewitness History

William Bonsall was captured and imprisoned by the Germans three months after landing in the second wave at Normandy during World War II. Bonsall later escaped to Poland and ultimately competed on the 1948 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team. Forty years later, he recorded his life experiences in a series of audio tapes that cover the decade between 1940 and 1950. THE VIOLENT YEARS, a nonfiction novel, is a creative account of Bill Bonsall’s transition from an impoverished urban neighborhood “hoodlum” during the Great Depression, to a scrappy 20-year-old dodging German bullets. The tale then follows his transformation from a passionate poet, wooing, losing, and regaining the love of his life, and rising to the epitome of athleticism and elegance as an Olympic gymnast—all in the span of a single decade!Here, his daughter tells his story!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Septuagint is the most important translations you’ve never heard of. In this episode of the 10th Anniversary of the History of the Papacy series, Steve Guerra and his special guest Garry Stevens lay out the basics of the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament. They talk about the issues of translation and the process of translation.Learn more about the History of Papacy and subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3td44ES Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DelfggbL0Au4e3aUyWDaS?si=6ffaacda2ddc4d9b Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/history-of-the-papacy-podcast_1Email Us: steve@atozhistorypage.comWebsite: https://atozhistorypage.start.pageSupport Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthepapacyParthenon Podcast Network: https://www.parthenonpodcast.com The History of the Papacy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atozhistoryListen to more episodes in this series:The Septuagint – It Really is Greek to MeThe Septuagint – Legends, Myths and Even Some HistoryThe Septuagint: A Corruption or the Original TextThe Septuagint: The Quest for AuthenticityThe Septuagint: A Jewish Text Waiting for ChristianityThe Septuagint: A Text for All AgesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Aponte, also known as MIT Mike, is a professional blackjack player and a former member of the MIT Blackjack Team. Aponte was part of a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students that legally won millions playing blackjack at casinos around the world by counting cards. He is the basis for one of the main characters, Jason Fisher, in the book, Bringing Down the House, by Ben Mezrich, which inspired the motion picture, 21. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We had the privilege of sitting down with renowned author Raymond Benson. A prolific writer known for his significant contributions to the James Bond literary universe, Benson takes us on a captivating journey through his career and the world of espionage fiction. From his iconic Bond novels to his ventures into mystery, suspense, and science fiction, we explore the multifaceted nature of his storytelling. Benson also shares insights into his experiences adapting video game franchises into gripping novels and provides a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process.Join us as we delve into the mind of a literary master, delving into the thrilling worlds he's crafted throughout his career.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to sit down with the legendary Steve O'Donnell, an American television writer with an impressive portfolio that includes Late Night with David Letterman, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, and The Chris Rock Show.His comedic influence extends to Jimmy Kimmel Live! and various shows such as The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Dana Carvey Show, and Norm Macdonald Has a Show on Netflix.O'Donnell's comedic genius has earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program." In 2017, the Writers Guild of America recognized his contributions with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence, featuring a special appearance by the recently retired David Letterman.Beyond writing, O'Donnell has made brief on-screen appearances in Strangers With Candy and The Sarah Silverman Program, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.Join us as we unravel the fascinating journey of Steve O'Donnell, a true pioneer in the comedy landscape. Subscribe, leave a review, and let's dive into the world of laughter with one of the industry's brightest minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we have the privilege of hosting a literary luminary in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. He's the creative mind behind the captivating world of Toons and the mastermind who brought us the iconic "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" - none other than the brilliant Gary K. Wolf!A maestro of imagination, Gary K. Wolf has woven tales that transcend the ordinary, blending detective fiction, humor, and fantasy in ways that have captivated readers and inspired the iconic film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." Join us as we delve into the extraordinary mind of this esteemed author, exploring his literary journey, insights into his creative process, and the impact of his work on popular culture.Whether you're a fan of Roger Rabbit or simply love a good story, this episode promises to be a fascinating exploration into the realms of fiction with the man who brought Toons to life. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodCheck our Gary's Website at: https://garywolf.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is none other than the incomparable Pat Boone.With a decades-long career, Pat has graced stages, screens, and airwaves with his golden voice and timeless charisma. From chart-topping hits to silver-screen successes, he's a multifaceted talent who has stood the test of time.We discuss his career, fame, and why he said no to making a movie with Marilyn Monroe!Now, I give you Pat Boone!Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judy Ikels is the recipient of one Meritorious Award and three Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State. She received the 2017 Champion of Career Enhancement Award from the Associates of the American Service Worldwide. After 28 years service, in 2019, she was honored with the Director General of the Foreign Service Cup awarded annually to one Civil Service employee "for devotion to duty, outstanding leadership, creative innovation, and tireless pursuit of what is right." Judy has lived and worked in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Greece, Mexico, and Venezuela; and speaks Spanish and Portuguese.Judy recently published "Death in Wartime China: A Daughter's Discovery" a book about her father's service in WWII. It is in that capacity that I had the pleasure of speaking with her. It was on a fateful day in 2016, a simple email from an interested stranger would uncover a world where her father continues to be revered as a hero. Judy would board a plane to Kunming, China, where her father is honored with a mountain memorial that heralds the bravery of a man who sacrificed his life to save his entire B 24 Liberator crew during the China Burma India conflict of World War Two. This journey would welcome her to the country as the daughter of an important hero and lead her to create the new book” death in wartime China, a daughter's discovery,”.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at a deathbed promise from a daughter to a mother, which leads the daughter on a journey to write about her grandfather who was a famous war hero. But this journey had a terrible destination: the discovery that he was a Nazi war criminal. Today’s guest is the daughter -- Silvia Foti – author of the book “Storm in the land of rain." Her mother was dying and she wanted to preserve family history, so she asked Silvia to write a book about Foti’s grandfather, Jonas Noreika, a famous WWII hero.Foti had no idea that in keeping her promise to her mother, her discoveries would bring her to a personal crisis, unearth Holocaust denial, and expose an official cover-up by the Lithuanian government that resulted in an internationally-followed lawsuit. Jonas Noreika was a Lithuanian known as General Storm.He led an uprising that won the country of Lithuania back from the communists, only to have it fall under Nazi control. He was an official during the Holocaust and chief of the second largest region in the country during the Nazi occupation, yet he became a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp.Foti set out to write a heroic biography about her famous grandfather. But as she dug ever deeper, she “encountered so much evidence proving my flesh and blood ‘hero’ was a Jew-killer, even I could no longer believe the lie.”Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

C.J. Cook, an accomplished author and devoted historian, has immersed himself in the rich tapestry of the South Pacific's history. His debut work, "Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific" (2017), soared to extraordinary heights, clinching two prestigious Gold Awards for Best Cover and Best Biography from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) in April 2018. Following this triumph, his second masterpiece, "Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art" (2021), secured another Gold Medal for Best Biography from IBPA in April 2022.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.