Discover the hidden origins of modern dance contests. Dr. April F. Masten reveals how 19th-century challenge dancing united cultures through Diamond and Juba.

Episode Resources:

• “Diamond and Juba” by Dr. April F. Masten
• Charles Dickens’ American Notes (Chapter 6)
• Listen to Not So Much to Want by April F. Masten
• The Lost Museum Digital Archive
• Biography of William Henry Lane (Master Juba)

Before Dancing with the Stars or modern dance marathons, 19th-century America was captivated by a cutthroat, highly competitive sporting event: challenge dancing. In this episode of Books & Looks, Blaine sits down with historian Dr. April F. Masten to explore the raucous history behind her new book, “Diamond and Juba.” Listeners will discover the hidden origins of American competitive dance and learn how two teenage prodigies from marginalized backgrounds unexpectedly shaped the nation's entire entertainment landscape.

Dr. Masten reveals how Irish-American John Diamond and African-American William Henry Lane (known as Juba) rose from busking in waterfront taverns to becoming international sensations under the exploitative eye of a young P.T. Barnum. The conversation unpacks the fascinating "eel economy," where working-class performers bartered jig dancing for plates of food, and explores how the blending of Irish and African steps created a distinctly creolized American art form. You'll hear the surprising truth about how these historic 19th-century public contests mirrored bare-knuckle boxing - complete with heavy betting, strict judges, and intense rivalries - but you'll have to listen to find out how a chance encounter with Charles Dickens ultimately changed the trajectory of Juba's career forever.

If you enjoyed this historical deep dive, be sure to subscribe to Books & Looks and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Discover how rebel advantage gamblers used early wearable computers to legally beat the casino for billions. Kit Chellel shares Lucky Devils' secrets.

Episode Resources:

• "Lucky Devils" by Kit Chellel
• Bloomberg Feature: The Gambler Who Cracked the Horse-Racing Code
• Guide to the Blackjack Ball Annual Gathering
• Official Site of the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Beating the house is the ultimate gambler’s dream, but for a secret society of math geniuses and tech pioneers, it became a billion-dollar reality. In this episode of Books & Looks, author Kit Chellel reveals the fascinating hidden world of advantage gamblers who used science and homemade computers to systematically conquer casinos and racetracks around the globe. By tuning in, you'll discover how a few rogue outsiders outsmarted the gambling industry and why everything you think you know about beating the odds is probably wrong.

Kit unpacks the wild evolution of advantage gambling, tracing its roots from the mental gymnastics of blackjack card counting to 1980s players hiding wire-wrapped, toe-operated microcomputers in their shoes - even when the batteries literally caught on fire. We explore incredible true stories from his new book, “Lucky Devils,” including how betting godfather Bill Benter engineered an algorithmic sports betting syndicate in Hong Kong and intentionally walked away from a $16 million jackpot just to protect his secret. You'll also learn the mathematical framework behind exploiting biased roulette wheels, but the biggest revelation of the episode just might change how you look at modern betting apps like FanDuel and DraftKings forever.

Don't leave your next great read up to chance - hit subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this eye-opening conversation. Be sure to check the show notes for a link to grab your own copy of Kit Chellel's “Lucky Devils” and dive deeper into these unbelievable true stories.

Explore the epic history of macaroni and cheese! Learn how this comfort food evolved from an ancient Roman dish into a clever religious fasting loophole.

Episode Resources:

• “The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese” by Karima Moyer-Nocchi
• Recipe and Excerpt for the Ancient Ancestor of Macaroni and Cheese
• Karima Moyer-Nocchi’s Official Website (The Eternal Table)
• “Chewing the Fat” by Karima Moyer-Nocchi

Think macaroni and cheese is just a simple American comfort food born out of a blue box? Think again. In this episode of Books & Looks, host Blaine DeSantis sits down with culinary historian Karima Moyer-Nocchi to uncover the incredible 2,000-year journey behind her new book, “The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese”. Listeners will discover how this humble pasta dish evolved from an ancient Roman recipe into a highly contested global icon, giving you a completely new appreciation for your favorite nostalgic meal.

Karima reveals how macaroni and cheese served as a clever culinary loophole during strict medieval religious fasting before tracing its sophisticated makeover in the elite courts of France. The conversation dives deep into the fascinating world of food history, exploring the rampant plagiarism found in 19th-century cookbooks and the dramatic, xenophobia-fueled origins of the American pasta industry. We also unpack the fierce historical debates over proper cooking techniques, leaving you to wonder why early Italian recipes called for cinnamon and sugar—and how French chefs ultimately changed the dish forever.

If you enjoyed this delicious deep dive into culinary history, be sure to subscribe to Books & Looks and leave us a review. Check the show notes for a link to grab your own copy of Karima’s meticulously researched book and discover your next great read!