Books & Looks: Real Books for Real Readers was started as a podcast to supplement Blaine Desantis’ website, ViewsOnBooks.com, and expand into audio interviews with authors.
With Books & Looks, Blaine’s goal is to focus on real books that real people will read. At least half of the books he reviews are either new authors or unknown authors that many in the general public are unaware of. After a segment reviewing books or interviewing authors, Blaine ends each episode with a discussion of the movies and TV shows he is currently watching.
This Week’s Episode
Join us on this thrilling episode of Books and Looks as we dive into the world of Arctic exploration, airships, and political intrigue. I interview author Mark Piesing about his gripping book N-4 Down, which uncovers the lesser-known story of the 1928 Arctic airship crash. Discover how Umberto Nobile’s ambition and Mussolini’s political machinations intertwined with the Heroic and Machine Ages of polar exploration. Immerse yourself in this epic journey, full of humor, heartache, and the untamed allure of the Arctic. Don’t miss this captivating discussion that will leave you wondering how far we’ll go to conquer the unknown.
Books Discussed:
Check out the latest episode of Books & Looks:
About Blaine Desantis:
Blaine is an avid lifetime reader, a retired attorney, and has been a book club leader for the past seven years. He is an active teacher in senior education classes at Furman University. Blaine loves fiction, nonfiction, histories, mysteries and almost all genres of books.
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:upscale()/2026/10/13/153/n/1922564/tmp_RifOqX_d39230e02ba15bb7_Untitled_-_July_08_2026_at_16.34.00-4-Main_2_up_-_1456x970.png "I Put Kylie Jenners Meta Glasses to the Test and I Have Thoughts")
