Wisconsin’s Civil Rights Act was in place 50 years before the National Civil Rights Act. We find out what put Wisconsin ahead of the curve. We also get some great book recommendations from one of WPR’s resident book-lovers and, and hear from a Milwaukee alderman who wants body cameras for the city’s police officers.
Featured in this Show
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3 Great Reads For The End Of Summer
As summer winds down and beach reads get put back on the shelf, “To The Best Of Our Knowledge” executive producer Steve Paulson has three book suggestions to kickstart one’s autumn reading.
“Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimmage” by Haruki MurakamiWhen Haruki Murakami releases a new book, it’s usually a big deal — and the release of his latest novel “Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimmage” was no different.
“The first week that this new novel was published, a million copies sold in Japan,” said Paulson. “And every time when it comes around to talk of the next Nobel Prize in literature, Murakami’s name surfaces.”
The story revolves around a young man in his mid-30s who is haunted by traumatic events in his past, and is trying to figure out what exactly happened. Paulson said the mystery sucked him in, and called the book “compulsively readable.”
Paulson said there’s somewhat of a paradox when it comes to Murakami’s books: They’re great reads, but the prose itself doesn’t stand out. Paulson said, however, that Murakami’s ability to create worlds that are surreal, mysterious and mesmerizing make up for the lack of stylistic writing.
“The Mockingbird Next Door” by Marja MillsWhen a biography of the reclusive author Harper Lee gets released, it’s also a big deal. “The Mockingbird Next Door” by Marja Mills chronicles the author’s friendship with the famous author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the time they spent living as neighbors.
Marja Mills originally had the privilege of befriending the famous author after Lee’s sister, Alice, set up a meeting between the two in 2001 when Mills was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Mills ended up moving to Monroeville three years later and rented out a house next door to the Lees.
Recently, the book has become embroiled in controversy. Right before its publication, a statement was issued in the name of Harper Lee, which read: “Rest assured, as long as I’m alive any book purporting to be with my cooperation is a falsehood.”
Paulson said that it’s not actually clear that Harper Lee herself wrote that statement, and it could have been her handlers. He also noted that Alice Lee has previously vouched for Mills.
Regardless, Paulson said he was riveted by the book’s portrayal of Harper Lee: “Complicated, private, a little cantankerous … obviously, very smart, and kind of fierce.”
“In the Shadow of the Sabertooth” by Doug PeacockIn his new nonfiction book, “In the Shadow of the Sabertooth,” wilderness advocate and Vietnam veteran Doug Peacock tells the story of the last era of global warming, around 15,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era.
Paulson said there are two great questions about the ancient history of North America that are explored in the book: When did humans arrive here, and why did all the huge mammals of that period disappear?
Paulson said Peacock was drawn to the topic after his time in Vietnam. He came home with post-traumatic stress disorder, and finding that he couldn’t be around people, took solace in the wilderness. His life was changed after surviving a dangerous encounter with grizzly bears. The event got him thinking about times and situations when humans have not been the top predator.
“He has this great affinity for what life must have been like when these early humans were around, trying to survive in the most difficult circumstances,” Paulson said.
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Wisconsin's Civil Rights Bill Passed 70 Years Before Nation's
The nation’s Civil Rights Act turned 50 this year, but Wisconsin’s Civil Rights Act predated it by seven decades. The executive director of Milwaukee’s Black Historical Museum explains why Wisconsin was ahead of the curve.
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Milwaukee Alderman Wants Body Cameras For City Police
A Milwaukee alderman makes the case that the city should provide funding for body cameras for police officers.
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August 21st Book Share With TTBOOK's Steve Paulson
Wisconsin Public Radio’s book-lover Steve Paulson joins us to share his recommendations for three new books worth a read.
Episode Credits
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Cynthia Schuster Host
- Chris Malina Producer
- Galen Druke Producer
- Clayborn Benson Guest
- Tony Zielinski Guest
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