In his first appearance with a Canadian outlet, Bo Dietl, one of the most decorated detectives in the New York City Police Department’s history, as well as one of the America’s top private investigators, joined Joseph Planta to talk about his new book, Business Lunchatations: How an Everyday Guy Became One of America’s Most Powerful CEO’s . . . and How You Can Too! (Chamberlain Bros., 2005). It’s a motivational book, with tips on how to network and how to be a success just like Bo, so he shared in this interview.

The danger of electing Hillary Clinton president in 2008 is discussed and argued in Hillary: America’s First Dictator (Trafford, 2005). Its author, Chuck Slate talked to Joseph Planta about why Clinton is perhaps ill-suited for higher office, as well as decried the culture of apathy and complacency in the United States.

Nancy Southam, the author of Pierre: Colleagues and Friends Talk about the Trudeau They Knew (McClelland and Stewart, 2005), talked with Joseph Planta about the new memoir she’s edited about the personal and private side of Pierre Trudeau.

Ken Tucker, the film critic from New York magazine, and formerly the television critic from Entertainment Weekly, talked with Joseph Planta about his new book, Kissing Bill O’Reilly, Roasting Miss Piggy: 100 Things to Love and Hate about TV (St. Martin’s Press, 2005).

The authors of Backstage Vancouver: A Century of Entertainment Legends, Greg Potter and Red Robinson talked with Joseph Planta about their new book, and the cultural life and history of Vancouver.

Former MP Deborah Grey talked with Joseph Planta about her politics and her career in it, which is the subject of her new memoir, Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize: My Life, My Politics (Key Porter, 2004).

Legendary author and journalist, not to mention the fascinating, Peter C. Newman talked with Joseph Planta about his new memoir, Here Be Dragons: Telling Tales of People, Passion and Power (McClelland and Stewart, $42.99 CDN).

The Hon. Sheila Copps, en route to give a speech in Kitchener, talked with Joseph Planta about her new book, Worth Fighting For (McClelland and Stewart, 2004), as well as the ouster of Carolyn Parrish from the Liberal caucus, and the current Prime Minister, Paul Martin.

Otto Langer, Director of the Marine Conservation Program at the David Suzuki Foundation is a former Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist and a contributor to a new book, A Stain Upon the Sea (Harbour, 2004), a strident and robust case against salmon farming. He talked with Joseph Planta about the book, and gave an informative overview of the industry and its perils.

Ray Argyle has observed many political campaigns as a journalist or consultant; and has written a new book, Turning Points: The Campaigns that Changed Canada 2004 and Before (White Knight, 2004), where he examines 15 pivitol elections that have been of great consequence to the country. He spoke with Joseph Planta about his book, and discussed the bold prescriptions he has for Canada in the 21st century, including the designation of a co-capital in Calgary.