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Into the Alternative: The World of the Yiddish Policemen's Union
January 23, 2025
00:00
01:23:32
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Join Frank Scalise (aka Frank Zafiro) as he takes the driver's seat in this exciting episode of Beyond the Big Screen Podcast! Together with your usual host, Steve Guerra, they dive deep into Michael Chabon's award-winning alternative history novel, the Yiddish Policeman's Union. Discover the rich world of Sitka, Alaska, and its intriguing blend of crime fiction and science fiction elements. Whether you're a fan of intricate world-building, love an engaging mystery, or simply appreciate alternative history, this discussion covers it all. Steve shares why he's revisited this book multiple times, and Frank offers insights into the unique challenges and freedoms of writing crime fiction. Don't miss this engaging episode that promises to delve into the layers of one of the most fascinating blends of genres in modern literature!
03:07 Exploring Alternative History
05:28 The Slattery Report and Its Implications
14:13 The Cultural Impact of Yiddish
32:40 Private Investigator vs. Police Detective
39:14 Exploring Religious and Cultural Themes
44:08 The Power of Science Fiction and Crime Fiction
46:48 The Art of Layered Storytelling
52:32 The Impact of Alternative History
55:38 Reflections on the Book's Ending
57:51 Personal Reading Experiences and Recommendations
Transcript URL: https://share.descript.com/view/DtVTBJ6OMfE
You can learn more about Beyond the Big Screen and subscribe at all these great places:
https://atozhistorypage.start.page
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Click to Subscribe:
https://www.spreaker.com/show/4926576/episodes/feed
email: steve@atozhistorypage.com
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Parthenon Podcast Network Home:
parthenonpodcast.com
On Social Media:
https://www.youtube.com/@atozhistory
https://www.facebook.com/groups/atozhistorypage
https://facebook.com/atozhistorypage
https://twitter.com/atozhistorypage
https://www.instagram.com/atozhistorypage/
Music Provided by:
"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
03:07 Exploring Alternative History
05:28 The Slattery Report and Its Implications
14:13 The Cultural Impact of Yiddish
32:40 Private Investigator vs. Police Detective
39:14 Exploring Religious and Cultural Themes
44:08 The Power of Science Fiction and Crime Fiction
46:48 The Art of Layered Storytelling
52:32 The Impact of Alternative History
55:38 Reflections on the Book's Ending
57:51 Personal Reading Experiences and Recommendations
Transcript URL: https://share.descript.com/view/DtVTBJ6OMfE
You can learn more about Beyond the Big Screen and subscribe at all these great places:
https://atozhistorypage.start.page
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Click to Subscribe:
https://www.spreaker.com/show/4926576/episodes/feed
email: steve@atozhistorypage.com
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Parthenon Podcast Network Home:
parthenonpodcast.com
On Social Media:
https://www.youtube.com/@atozhistory
https://www.facebook.com/groups/atozhistorypage
https://facebook.com/atozhistorypage
https://twitter.com/atozhistorypage
https://www.instagram.com/atozhistorypage/
Music Provided by:
"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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Meet Your Host

Steve Guerra is a historian and podcaster who hosts three different shows. He started with the History of the Papacy Podcast in 2013. In 2017, Steve began Beyond the Big Screen, a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories behind films through lively interviews. His newest show, Organized Crime and Punishment, takes a deep dive into the roots, evolution, and impact of organized crime across different cultures and countries.