Program #77, Book Talk #38, Zoom #7, San Francisco Village Book Club, San Francisco, CA

I had a wonderful time with an engaging and charming group of readers who had already read Zaidy's War, but wished to hear the whole story from the author. I was delighted to oblige.

It was my first book talk delivered remotely to the state of California, and it was pleasing that that under the bluest of skies and most gorgeous of days, these fine folks elected to spend the time with me.

During the Q&A, they complimented my presentation affect, delivery style, and energetic enthusiasm, some things I take great pride in and am constantly honing. I appreciated that very much.

Then I got a sharp, wise question: "You've been at this for a while. "How has your messaging changed from when you started?" Interesting!

I answered that when I started, I was simply a grandchild telling a wild story he heard from his grandfather, but I've morphed over time - and especially recently - into something of a "Never Again" Lorax, along with my Amsterdam Publishers colleagues.

The answer came to mind because I've seen this said about Dara Horn, who wrote "People Love Dead Jews" as an intellectual exploration of the phenomenon, but the public practically demanded that she give flesh to the underpinnings. She has been referred to as the Lorax against antisemitism.

I therefore closed the event by bidding my audience to read Dara generally, but definitely her new book. I bid you do so as well.