Erik Larson
The Visionary
The future, and what is barely possible, reads round the next corner.
Erik Larson is a renowned narrative historian known for his ability to blend captivating storytelling with deep historical insights. This interview highlights his visionary approach to history, where he not only recounts events but also inspires readers to understand the broader implications of those moments.
“I suddenly realized William Shire was there. He was there before the war actually began. He was there before we knew that these guys were the monsters that they are. He was there. He was more likely to encounter them at a cocktail party than anything else. It just lit my imagination. Like, what would that have been like?”
“But you know, there I was working at the Bugs Kind of Courier Times. And foolishly, I actually thought I wanted to be a beat reporter. So I actually applied for an opening and I got turned down for a new hire and I was so pissed that I sent my resume out to everybody I knew who was in the business at a decent newspaper, one of my friends…”
“Laying the entire book out on the floor of my home and just trying to to withhold information and that's where the art of it comes in that's the part I really love the people asking well you know yeah I am the author of four failed detective novels I am and people tell me they're asking you would you ever want to write a novel again at so…”
“Or more. And I being a hurricane junkie, having been raised on Long Island in a glass house surrounded by trees talking about love, hate, I love storms, love storms, and I had known nothing about this. So I started looking into the store. And that's what really drew my attention.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 395 — Erik Larson
LISTEN AT THE SOURCE ↗THE RECORD IS CHECKABLE