Word S10.4 — Magic, Marvel and Lincoln with Roland Lazenby, Gavin Edwards and NPR's Steve Inskeep

By Tom Maxedon
Published: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 10:03am
Updated: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 - 10:10am

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Dominion Images Photography / 2014
Roland Lazenby is author of "Magic," a biography of L.A. Lakers all-star Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

It’s Halloween and on this episode, we explore Magic, Marvel and President Abraham Lincoln.

Guest list

Los Angeles Lakers all-star Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is the subject of a new biography by Roland Lazenby titled, “Magic.”

Lazenby has written many books about basketball, including a definitive biography of Michael Jordan.

"Through hundreds of interviews with Johnson’s coaches, representatives past and present, teammates, opponents, friends, and loved ones, as well as key conversations with Johnson himself over the years, Lazenby has produced the first truly definitive study, both dark and light, of the revolutionary player," according to a review of the book.

Gavin Edwards is one of three authors who have released a new chronicle about how Marvel Studios conquered Hollywood. It’s titled, “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios.”

According to an online review of the book, “The unauthorized, behind-the-scenes story of the stunning rise ― and suddenly uncertain reign ― of the most transformative cultural phenomenon of our time: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Entertainment was a waning toymaker not even 20 years ago. Today, Marvel Studios is the dominant player both in Hollywood and in global pop culture. How did an upstart studio conquer the world? Culture writers Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales and Edwards draw on more than a hundred interviews with actors, producers, directors and writers to present the definitive chronicle of Marvel Studios and its sole, ongoing production."

Edwards has written 14 books.

Joann Robinson, Dave Gonzales and Gavin Edwards
Joann Robinson, Dave Gonzales and Gavin Edwards are authors of "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios.”

NPR’s Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep offers a new biography about President Abraham Lincoln which explores his attempts to maintain union in a deeply divided country.

It’s titled, “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded In A Divided America.”

The book is about the most horrific aspect of American history: slavery.

Portrait of Steve Inskeep and book cover for "Differ We Must"
Mike Morgan/NPR and Penguin Books USA
Steve Inskeep is the author of "Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded In A Divided America."

You can also listen to Morning Edition with Inskeep and KJZZ’s Phil Latzman, weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

We’re back with another episode November 14.

Follow “Word” on KJZZ’s social media and don’t forget to enter our literary-themed Halloween costume contest with prizes in both kids and adults categories. The deadline is November 4.

Episodes are available on multiple platforms including the NPR pod feed and YouTube.

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