Book Banter S4 EP176: Robert O'Connor Interview
- Dianne Burckhardt
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Hello My Happy People,
I cannot wait to share today's episode with all of you. My guest, Robert O’Connor, brings history to life in his latest book, Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. His gripping new WWII novel has earned praise from Kirkus Reviews, Purple Heart Magazine, and Midwest Book Review, to name a few.
Robert is a former Phi Beta Kappa at Kenyon College with a long successful career in marketing. Robert was a marketing executive at Procter & Gamble and co-owner of an advertising agency, but even successful men can have a "hard fall" sometimes. Robert drew on this experience to inspire others with his first book Gumptionade: The Booster For Your Self-Improvement Plan.
Later, it would be the discovery of a circus sponsorship gone awry in 1967 that would plant the seed that would eventually grow into his first fiction novel, Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. This tale is based on the true story of Jim Hetzer, an Army Entertainment Specialist who toured forward combat zones alongside Private Mickey Rooney.
With meticulous research and wry humor, O’Connor transports you into the frozen Ardennes, where small Jeep-mounted variety shows risked everything to keep GI morale alive, and the mix of laughter and peril still resonates with many today.
Robert and his wife recently moved to Minneapolis. The couple have three grown sons and a grandson. Robert and his wife lost their beloved basset hound, Bassie, a few years ago and plan to adopt another basset when the time is right.
Don't wait, join us now for an episode full of heart, history, and the unbreakable spirit that binds us all.
Charitable Contribution: For each book sold, Robert O'Connor will donate $1 to
Enjoy,
Dianne
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This Weeks My Manic Life Vlog
Season 4
Summer Reads Suggestions Episodes
Every Wednesday
June 4th - July 29th
June 2025
4th - S3 EP 173: NOW STREAMING
Anne Mollova, Young Adult Epic Fantasy Author
11th - S3 EP 174: NOW STREAMING
Miles Spencer, Middle Eastern Epic Historical Fiction
18th - S3 EP 175: NOW STREAMING
Joel Shulkin, Medical and Forensic Thriller Series Author
25th - S3 EP 176: NOW STREAMING
Robert O'Connor, WWII Historical Fiction Author
July 2025
1st - S3 EP 177:
Micki Bare, Middle Grade Magical Realism Author
8th - S3 EP 178:
Linda Hughes, Women's Fiction Author
15th - S3 EP 179:
Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey, Thriller & Mystery Writing Team
22nd - S3 EP 180:
Valerie Sherrard, Author of Middle Grade Books
29th - S3 EP 181:
Wendy Dale, Memoir Writing Coach
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