Podcast by Mark Perzel
Best Part of the Book
Mark Perzel hosts engaging conversations with authors of nonfiction books published by McFarland.
Best Part of the Book
Latest episodes
05 June 2026
Brian C. Baer: How He-Man Mastered the Universe
If you ever wondered how a plastic barbarian with a battle axe became a pop culture phenomenon and somehow led to one of Hollywood's most chaotic movie productions—Brian C. Baer has done the research. Mark Perzel talks with Brian about "How He-Man Mastered the Universe: Toy to Television to Big Screen," tracing the wild journey of Masters of the Universe from a recycled toy mold to a billion-dollar franchise. Along the way, Brian gets into cartoon morals, a pyramid scheme film company, a sword fight that nearly didn't happen, and why the director had to pay out of his own pocket just to finish the movie. You don't have to be a He-Man fan to enjoy this one—though you might become one.
00:00
38:41
15 May 2026
Don Doxsie: How Tall Are You?
Mark Perzel has a confession: he's been hitting his head on doorframes his entire life, and Don Doxsie finally gave him a book to explain why. In this episode, Mark talks with Don about "How Tall Are You? The Pros and Cons of Exceptional Height"—a decades-in-the-making look at what it's actually like to move through a world that wasn't built for you. They cover everything from shrinking airplane legroom to why the taller presidential candidate almost always wins, to a six-foot-nine Shakespearean actor whose greatest role was Lurch. It's funny, relatable, and surprisingly illuminating—even if you're not the tallest person in the room.
00:00
31:28
01 May 2026
Don Fox: Welcome to Firehouse!
Mark Perzel talks with author Don M. Fox about his book, "Welcome to Firehouse! Building a Billion Dollar Brand in America’s Most Competitive Industry." Turns out, building a successful restaurant chain isn’t just about the food—it’s branding, culture, timing, and a fair amount of learning things the hard way. Done gets into the early days of Firehouse Subs, what separates a good brand from a great one, and how a sandwich shop ended up saving lives. Worth a listen if you’ve ever wondered what actually goes on behind your favorite place to eat.
00:00
40:16
17 April 2026
Whitney Wallace: North Carolina Day Hiking for Every Body
Mark Perzel talks with author Whitney Harris Wallace about her book, "North Carolina Day Hiking for Every Body: What to Know and Where to Go from the Blue Ridge to the Beaches." Turns out, hiking doesn’t have to involve extreme gear, expert knowledge, or a personality change. They get into what actually counts as a hike, how to get started without overcomplicating it, and a few great places to wander around North Carolina. Worth a listen if you’ve ever thought, “I should get outside more,” and then… didn’t.
00:00
43:28
03 April 2026
Robert T. Tally Jr: The Mismeasure of Orcs
In this episode, Mark Perzel talks with author Robert T. Tally Jr. about his book, The Mismeasure of Orcs, and what it means to rethink one of fantasy’s most familiar “enemy” figures. What begins as a discussion of Tolkien’s orcs becomes a deeper conversation about perspective, dehumanization, and the ways stories shape how we see both heroes and villains. Drawing from Tolkien’s letters and texts, Tally explores the surprising humanity of orcs—and why even Tolkien himself seemed troubled by how they were portrayed. It’s a thoughtful and unexpected look at what happens when we question the assumptions built into the stories we love.
00:00
45:27
20 March 2026
Caroline Reitz and Beth Foxwell: Clues Journal
Explore Clues: A Journal of Detection, McFarland’s scholarly journal devoted to mystery and detective fiction. Joined by Executive Editor Caroline Reitz and Managing Editor Elizabeth Foxwell, the conversation examines why crime narratives continue to resonate and how academic scholarship deepens our understanding of the genre. From Victorian detective stories to contemporary crime fiction across media, we discuss what makes a compelling mystery endure—and what makes Clues such a rewarding project to shape. It’s a thoughtful look at the cultural and critical importance of studying mystery fiction seriously.
00:00
41:24