North Carolina Bookwatch 2016 | UNC-TV artwork

North Carolina Bookwatch 2016 | UNC-TV

22 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 8 years ago -

UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch is the state’s premier literary series, bringing the Tar Heel State’s best and brightest Southern writers to the small screen. In every illuminating interview, host D.G. Martin sheds light on authors’ lives, books and the state’s indelible imprint on their works.

D.G. Martin has hosted North Carolina Bookwatch since the series’ third season in 1999. A Yale Law School graduate and former Green Beret, Martin has been involved with public service, and politics throughout his life, including stints as interim Vice Chancellor for Development and University Affairs at both UNC-Pembroke and North Carolina Central University, work as the Carolinas Director of the Trust for Public Land, and a hard-fought 1998 campaign for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate against John Edwards.

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Episodes

Margaret Donovan Bauer, A Study of Scarletts

July 16, 2016 02:36 - 26 minutes - 212 MB Video

Author & professor Margaret Bauer's latest book looks at the impact of one of literature's strongest female characters – Scarlett O'Hara. Dr. Bauer looks at both the literary & the cinematic portrayals of the Southern belle & from those profiles she goes on to look at how the iconic character compares to similar heroines of literature.

Robert Morgan, Chasing the North Star

July 09, 2016 22:44 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Author & professor Robert Morgan's latest book is set during the Civil War. “Chasing The North Star” tells the story of a runaway slave, his struggle for freedom, & free-spirited slave girl who sets out to follow him in search of her own freedom. The spellbinding story of two teenage runaways in a terrifying time & place draws the reader in as it brings that world into sharp focus.

Dan Bolger, Why We Lost

May 30, 2016 18:32 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author & retired General Daniel Bolger served in both Iraq & Afghanistan, where he commanded troops & participated in meetings with both top-level military & civilian players. General Bolger uses his unique perspective to assess these wars, from 9/11 to the final withdraw from the region, & what we have learned from the experiences.

Pam Saulsby, Ashley's High Five for Daddy

May 30, 2016 18:27 - 26 minutes - 208 MB Video

Journalist & author Pam Saulsby's new book gently introduces young readers to the process military families experience on the return of a loved one from deployment. Through her feisty but fun main character, Ms. Saulsby helps families understand the situation returning servicemen & women may be in, & how their families – both adults & children alike – can prepare to welcome their loved one home.

Randy Johnson, Grandfather Mountain

May 30, 2016 18:24 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Author Randy Johnson has written at length about the iconic Grandfather Mountain. In this definitive book, Mr. Johnson takes readers on a tour of the landmark mountain's history from its geological beginnings to its eventual establishment as a state park. Through photos & stories, Mr. Johnson shows how Grandfather has changed & been changed by the people of Western North Carolina & beyond.

12 Bones Smokehouse, Behind the Scenes

May 30, 2016 03:20 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

The Asheville restaurant 12 Bones Smokehouse is a local institution whose creative barbecue is so popular that even President Obama eats there when he's in the area. Head Chef Shane Heavner shares the story of Mr. Obama's first visit to the restaurant, while he was still on the campaign trail, & talks about the experience of cooking for a president.

Patricia Bell-Scott, The Firebrand & The First Lady

May 20, 2016 17:40 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author Patricia Bell-Scott's latest book tells the story of the brilliant writer-turned-activist, Pauli Murray, & her long friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt – a friendship that changed both of their lives. Ms. Bell-Scott draws on letters, journals, diaries, & other sources to present this close-up portrait of a friendship that helped alter the course of race, racism, & social justice in America.

Kristy Woodson Harvey, Lies & Other Acts of Love

May 13, 2016 19:01 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

Charles Thompson, Border Odyssey

May 13, 2016 18:52 - 26 minutes - 209 MB Video

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

John Hood, Catalyst

April 30, 2016 17:11 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author John Hood presents the biography of former governor Jim Martin & shows how he helped shape public life in NC. Through interviews with top politicians & Governor Martin himself, Mr. Hood shares how the governor was a catalyst for fundamental change in North Carolina.

John Hart, Redemption Road

April 30, 2016 17:04 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

Bland & Ann Simpson, Little Rivers & Waterway Tales

April 30, 2016 17:00 - 26 minutes - 209 MB Video

Bland Simpson's poetic & lyrical writing shares the stories of Eastern NC rivers & waterways & how they shape the region's geography & culture. The tales are complemented by the stunning photographs by Ann Cary Simpson. Little Rivers & Waterway Tales draws on the Simpsons' deep family ties & coastal travels as it documents eastern North Carolina's particular beauty & unique way of life.

John Shelton Reed, Barbecue

April 11, 2016 17:49 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Barbecue devotee John Shelton Reed's latest book picks up where his last one left off – sort of! Having done a comprehensive history of our state's "barbeculture" in Holy Smoke, Mr. Reed now takes us into the kitchen & shares a smorgasboard of recipes for Carolina 'cue & several of its famous side dishes & desserts.

Scott Ellsworth, The Secret Game

April 11, 2016 17:42 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author Scott Ellsworth's newest book focuses on our state's favorite sport, basketball, & a long-buried moment in US sporting history. The Secret Game tells the story of Coach John McLendon at the NC College for Negroes, who led his team to become the highest-scoring college team in the US, the all-white military team at Duke medical school, & a match-up for the ages.

Bridgette Lacy, Sunday Dinner

March 23, 2016 19:58 - 26 minutes - 211 MB Video

Author Bridgette Lacy talks about the traditional “Sunday Dinner” - how it is very like many families' large holiday dinner traditions, & what recipes she would apply to such a meal.

Lee Smith, Dime Store

February 15, 2016 21:22 - 26 minutes - 215 MB Video

Author Lee Smith's latest book is a collection of short works that combine to tell the story of her own history growing up in Virginia where her father ran a dime store. It was in that little shop, listening to the customers & inventing histories for the dolls on sale in the store, that Ms. Smith began to learn the craft of storytelling.

Margaret Maron, Long Upon The Land

February 13, 2016 23:46 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Margaret Maron's latest book is the last to feature her popular character, Judge Deborah Knott. Long Upon The Land sees the judge dealing with a murder on her father's property (which is being investigated by her husband in his role as Sheriff's Deputy) & the mystery of a cigarette lighter that once belonged to her mother. DG Martin talked with her at the Bouchercon mystery writers convention.

Damon Tweedy, Black Man In A White Coat

February 12, 2016 02:25 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Dr. Damon Tweedy writes about his own experiences with racism & segregation within the medical field; & how his own health also shaped his training & work in medicine. Black Man in a White Coat looks at the complex social, cultural, & economic factors at the root of most health problems within the black community, & also explores the challenges facing black doctors aiming to provide better care.

Sarah Shaber, Louise's Chance

February 04, 2016 13:26 - 26 minutes - 209 MB Video

Raleigh Author Sarah Shaber was the local guest of honor at Bouchercon 2015, the 46th annual mystery writers convention, held recently in NC. DG Martin sat down with her there to talk about latest book in her Louise Pearlie WWII Mysteries series, Louise's Chance.

Ron Rash, Above The Waterfall

January 23, 2016 23:25 - 26 minutes - 212 MB Video

Author, professor, & historian Dr. William Leuchtenburg's latest book is the only comprehensive history of the United States presidency in the twentieth century from Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Dr. Leuchtenburg chronicles each president's unique contributions to running the executive office.

William Leuchtenburg, The American President

January 18, 2016 23:16 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Author, professor, & historian Dr. William Leuchtenburg's latest book is the only comprehensive history of the United States presidency in the twentieth century from Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Dr. Leuchtenburg chronicles each president's unique contributions to running the executive office.

Dr. Kathy Reichs, Speaking In Bones

August 07, 2015 16:44 - 26 minutes - 210 MB Video

Author Kathy Reichs' latest book is the 18th in her Temperance Brennan series, which is the basis for the popular TV show Bones. Savvy readers know that the written storyline differs dramatically from the TV series. DG Martin caught up with Dr. Reichs at the annual Bouchercon mystery writers convention (held in Raleigh this year) to talk about Speaking In Bones.