Can you trust Wikipedia? Who actually controls the world's largest online encyclopedia, and how has it shaped the way we access information?

On this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with journalist and author Richard Cooke to discuss his book, The Last Best Place on the Internet: A Human History of Wikipedia, and explore the fascinating history, people, and ideas behind one of the most influential projects in internet history.

From Wikipedia founders Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger to the super editors who dedicate thousands of hours to building and maintaining the encyclopedia, Richard takes us inside the world of Wikipedia. We discuss how it started, why it remains free, how its volunteer editors operate, and the ongoing debate surrounding truth, neutrality, and reliable information.

We also explore Wikipedia's relationship with artificial intelligence, the rise of platforms like ChatGPT and Elon Musk's Grokipedia, Western bias, the underrepresentation of women, misinformation, and the future of human knowledge.

Plus, Richard shares some of the strangest Wikipedia rabbit holes he discovered during his research and offers insight into the writing, research, and interview process behind his book.

Whether you have spent hours exploring Wikipedia or simply use it to answer everyday questions, this conversation will make you think differently about the information we find online.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Last Best Place on the Internet: A Human History of Wikipedia by Richard Cooke explores the people, culture, and ideas behind Wikipedia and its place in the history of the internet.

ABOUT BOOKUM AUTHOR TALKS

Bookum Author Talks brings you conversations with authors, journalists, entrepreneurs, and creators about the stories behind their books, their careers, and the ideas that shape our world.

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On this episode of Bookum Author Talks, we sit down with music journalist and author John McKie to discuss Prince's extraordinary career and the stories behind his music, including Purple Rain and Sign o' the Times.

We talk about Prince's musical influences, his competitiveness with Michael Jackson and Madonna, his time growing up in Minneapolis, and his incredible commitment to his craft. John also shares insights into Prince's creative process, his relationship with The Revolution, his filmmaking career, his legendary Super Bowl halftime show, and his fight to own and control his music.

We also discuss how John researched and wrote about one of music's most fascinating artists, including the interviews and stories that helped bring Prince's legacy to life.

Whether you are a longtime Prince fan or interested in the history behind some of music's most iconic artists, this conversation offers a closer look at the man behind the music.

Listen to Bookum Author Talks for more conversations with authors, journalists, and storytellers about the people, ideas, and stories that shape our world.

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We sit down with 5x NYT Bestselling Author Shea Serrano to discuss his fantastic new book "Expensive Basketball" on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast

We talk about the expensive moments that have made the sport of basketball unbelievable. From Damian Lillard ending two different playoff seasons with a buzzer beater, to big fundamentals of Tim Duncan, to Wembanyama's defensive instincts, to Nikola Jokic's Sombor Shuffle, to Allen Iverson as a cultural iconic, to A'ja Wilson winning five WNBA MVPs.

Additionally, we discussed Shea's expressive writing style, his writing process, what should be in a writer's toolkit? and his perfect day of writing.

And we couldn't help but talk about Good Movies (and his Substack), great hiphop albums, and books he would suggest to an 8th English class.

For hoops fans who are excited about the upcoming season!

Timestamps:

0:55 - Jay Z
1:34 - Celebration of Hip Hop and Music
2:06 - R&B Music
3:01 - Pusha T
3:34 - The Landscape of Hiphop in 2026
5:03 - Good Movies
7:23 - Owning Physical Media and VHS Movies
9:45 - Book recommendations
13:33 - Expensive Basketball Book
17:12 - Steph Curry
17:52 - San Antonio Spurs Dynasty Era
18:20 - Tim Duncan
19:54 - Current Spurs 2026-2027 Season
20:15 - Denver Nuggets
20:50 - Wemby and Dylan Harper
22:45 - Ghost Stories and Grail Stories
23:01 - New York Knicks Championship
24:10 - Damian Lillard
26:55 - Basketball as a Continuum
27:45 - Allen Iverson
28:44 - Allen Iverson's All-Star Game Story
32:01 - A’ja Wilson
37:33 - Becky Hammon Story
38:24 - Writing Process and Perfect Day of Writing
41:43: Tips on Expressive Writing
44:45 - Screenwriting and Being Movie Critic
45:55 - Abbott Elementary
47:45 - What Should be in a Writer’s Toolkit?
51:22 - Good Movies Substack


Get your copy of the new book "Expensive Basketball" Today

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Who was Huey P. Newton, and how did he shape the Black Panther Party and the fight for Black liberation?

On this episode of the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Delio Vasquez to discuss his book, Huey P. Newton, and explore the life, political philosophy, and legacy of one of the most influential figures in the Black Panther Party.

We discuss Huey P. Newton's intellectual contributions, the meaning of Black Power, the Black Panther Party's community programs, and its approach to political organizing. Dr. Vasquez also examines the FBI's surveillance of Newton, COINTELPRO, Fred Hampton, and the government's efforts to undermine the Black Panther movement.

Our conversation explores intercommunalism, the circulation of knowledge, Black Panther media outlets, and the contributions of Black women and women leaders within the party. We also discuss Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., political change, and the lessons that modern movements can learn from the history of the Black Panther Party.

Whether you are interested in Black history, African American studies, civil rights, political theory, revolutionary movements, or the legacy of Huey P. Newton, this episode offers an in-depth conversation about the people, ideas, and organizing efforts that shaped a pivotal period in American history.

GET THE BOOK

Pick up a copy of Huey P. Newton by Dr. Delio Vasquez to learn more about Newton's life, ideas, and political legacy here

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Topics: Huey P. Newton, Black Panther Party, Black Power, Black liberation, Black history, African American history, civil rights movement, COINTELPRO, Fred Hampton, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., political philosophy, community organizing, and revolutionary movements.

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

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Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Bookum Author Talks Podcast

In this conversation, Marcus Thompson II, Senior Columnist at The Athletic and author of Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball, for a wide-ranging conversation about the players, moments, and ideas that have changed basketball.

Marcus breaks down what separates a Hall of Famer, a GOAT, and a true game changer, while discussing the evolution of basketball, the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Steph Curry’s impact, Michael Jordan, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Candace Parker, Allen Iverson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and more.

We also talk about the business and cultural impact of basketball, international basketball, basketball philanthropy, defining moments, and what it takes to tell great sports stories.

📚 Get Marcus Thompson II’s book, Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball:

https://www.amazon.com/Game-Changers-GOATs-Revolutionized-Basketball/dp/B0GDZZNPW7/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

🎧 Listen to The Bookum Nook Show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Chapters:

1:12 - Are Dynasties Over?
2:56 - Golden State Warriors Dynasty
6:33 - When The Golden State Dynasty Started
6:50 - 2013 Golden State Warriors
9:28 - Steph Curry’s Impact on Basketball
15:35 - Non-Superstars Who Changed Basketball
17:12 - Arvydas Sabonis
18:13 - Nikola Jokic
19:23 - The Evolution of Basketball
20:12 - Retiring the GOAT Debate
23:12 - Actually Loving the Game
24:01 - Don Nelson
24:45 - Moving From Size to Speed and Skill
26:58 - Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark
27:35 - Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
32:05 - Candace Parker
36:23 - Olivia Miles
40:00 - MVP Is a Playoff Award
41:25 - Game Changers on an International Level
42:00 - Michael Jordan
44:48 - Allen Iverson
46:54 - Caitlin Clark
49:12 - Angel Reese
49:47 - Victor Wembanyama (Wemby)
54:11 - Business Game Changers of Basketball
54:33 - LeBron James
55:10 - Andre Iguodala
55:30 - Kevin Durant
56:33 - Basketball Philanthropy
57:12 - The Impact of Basketball Money
1:00:48 - Writing Process & The Perfect Day
1:01:33 - Dirk Nowitzki
1:03:23 - Game Changers Are Always Doubted
1:08:34 - Defining Moments
1:09:50 - Steph Curry’s Defining Moment
1:12:03 - Michael Jordan’s Defining Moment
1:14:55 - Writer’s Toolkit

Subscribe to Bookum for more Author Talks, conversations with book creators, and discussions about the books and stories shaping culture.

Download the Bookum App and start your book club today: www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

What role did women play in the March on Washington? And why have so many of their contributions received less attention in the history of the Civil Rights Movement?

In this conversation, Dr. Marcia Chatelain discusses her book How Bright the Path Grows: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the March on Washington and the Black women who helped organize, shape, and participate in the historic 1963 March on Washington.

We talk about Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson, Josephine Baker, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Eva Jessye, Marian Anderson, Daisy Bates and other women whose stories offer a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington.

Dr. Chatelain also discusses Rosa Parks after the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Mahalia Jackson's relationship with Martin Luther King Jr., Josephine Baker and Black Americans living abroad, Eva Jessye's role in the March's musical program, the experiences of older women in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it means to write a group biography about women whose contributions have often received less attention.

We also talk about who gets to speak for a movement, what makes movements strong, how history is remembered, and what we can learn from the women who helped shape the struggle for civil rights and freedom.

In This Conversation:

00:00 Writing Books
02:38 The Meaning Behind How Bright the Path Grows
04:01 Marcia Chatelain's Relationship With the March on Washington
06:46 Anna Arnold Hedgeman
09:33 Who Gets Credit for a Successful Movement?
10:33 The Hidden Women of the Civil Rights Movement
12:12 Malcolm X and the "Farce on Washington"
15:21 Rosa Parks and Economics
15:55 Rosa Parks After the Montgomery Bus Boycott
17:50 What Do We Owe Our Trailblazers?
20:43 Josephine Baker
22:10 Black Americans Living Abroad
25:45 Mahalia Jackson
27:20 Mahalia Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr.
30:45 Eva Jessye
34:12 Ageism in the Civil Rights Movement
39:01 Writing the March on Washington
41:55 Writing a Group Biography
44:43 What Makes a Strong Movement?
47:02 What Should Be in a Writer's Toolkit?

About Dr. Marcia Chatelain

Dr. Marcia Chatelain is a historian and author of How Bright the Path Grows and Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, which won the Pulitzer Prize for History. How Bright the Path Grows examines the lives and contributions of Black women connected to the March on Washington and the broader struggle for civil rights.

Get your copy of How Bright the Path Grows today.

About Bookum

Bookum is where bookish conversation happens. Discover books, join book clubs, and meet other readers at Bookum

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode of the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we talk with author and journalist Colin Asher about his book The Midnight Special: The Secret Prison History of American Music.

Colin shows the connection between prison, policing, incarceration, and American music, looking at the lives and careers of Lead Belly, Elmo Hope, Johnny Cash, Ike White, and Tupac Shakur.

We talk about the history of modern jazz, the cabaret card system and how police targeted jazz musicians in New York, Lead Belly and the Lomaxes, the relationship between artists and managers, Johnny Cash's outlaw image, Tupac's trial and distrust of authority, Me Against the World, and the use of hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases.

Colin also shares his research and writing process, including his conversations with Elmo Hope's family and legendary jazz musician Lou Donaldson, and how he decided which artists belonged in The Midnight Special.

Topics discussed:
• The history of modern jazz
• Elmo Hope and Thelonious Monk
• Cabaret cards and police control of musicians
• Lead Belly and the Lomaxes
• Johnny Cash and the American outlaw
• Tupac Shakur and his trial
• Tupac's Me Against the World
• Hip-hop lyrics and criminal cases
• Ike White and music in prison
• Prison and American music
• Colin Asher's research and writing process
• The making of The Midnight Special

Join Bookum: Connect with readers, authors, book clubs, and bookish creators at https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!