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Interviews With the Rauschmonstrum

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In the 1950's a shapeshifting monster known as the Rauschmonstrum revealed himself to the world as the manipulator and shaper of much of mankind's history. The Rauschmonstrum's appearance into public life caused massive changes in the political and cultural life of the United States, as well as all over the world. Through this collection of interviews the Rauschmonstrum has had over a more than 50 year period, we get a sense of the interesting new world he has created.

114 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2017

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Nick LaTorre

8 books6 followers

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,814 followers
August 9, 2017
‘Treat each other kindly, be conscious that your personal relationships are the most important parts of your life, don’t drink too much, etc’

Nick LaTorre shares no biographical information to give the reader a hint of his back-story. What we have to go on is his infectious performance as a new author in a series of books concerning the Rauschmonstrum. To offer a sip of his humor, his dedication reads ‘Dedicated to Charlie Rose and Dick Cavett, my favorite television interviewers. The following is a work of satire. No interactions with public figures are meant to be portrayed as having actually occurred. Then again, if you think these interviews with a shapeshifting cloud of smoke actually occurred, you need some professional help’.

For those fellow fans of Nick’s creative books, perhaps the following definition of his imaginary character will seduce new readers to the flock - ‘The Rauschmonstrum is a shapeshifting monster who manipulates humanity from time to time to suit his desires. His true physical form resembles a cloud of smoke. If there’s a historical event of any importance, there’s a good shot he had something to do with it. For most of mankind’s history he kept his existence a secret. However, this was to change during the twentieth century. Shortly after the end of World War II, the Rauschmonstrum could be seen popping up at American and British military functions in Allied-occupied Germany. Some photographs taken at these events show the remnants of his Cheshire Cat grin as he was in the process of making himself disappear from sight. Many American and European politicians began meeting with him during this time. They did this secretly for the most part, but on occasion he was referred to in print interviews as “my friend Ol’ Rausch,” or “my acquaintance Ol’ Rausch.” The pubic began to wonder who this “Ol’ Rausch” was after President Truman made a quip about him at a press conference in an apparent slip of the tongue. Then in 1957 a book entitled Jesus & Me was published under the name The Rauschmonstrum. It told the story of a shapeshifting monster who tricked Jesus of Nazareth throughout his life, leading him on into believing he was the son of God, and ultimately dooming him to his crucifixion. This book was completely ignored at first, but then became regionally famous in the Southern United States after certain Fundamentalist Christian preachers began organizing events where they burnt copies of it in large quantities. As these things often go, the vitriol expressed against Jesus & Me gave it increased attention and popularity elsewhere. By the following year, it was the number one bestseller in the world, and held that position into the next decade. People wondered who the author’s true identity. There was no identifying information about him at all other than his name at the bottom of the book cover, and nobody believed Rauschmonstrum could be anyone’s real name. Naturally, rumors began to spread, such as that The Rauschmonstrum was really just a pseudonym for Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, or John Dos Passos. Many people made false claims about being the author as well. Finally, on June 6th, 1959, the Rauschmonstrum had his first interview, appearing on The Mike Wallace Interview with host Mike Wallace. The world was never the same.’ Or as the synopsis states briefly, ‘In the 1950's a shapeshifting monster known as the Rauschmonstrum revealed himself to the world as the manipulator and shaper of much of mankind's history. The Rauschmonstrum's appearance into public life caused massive changes in the political and cultural life of the United States, as well as all over the world. Through this collection of interviews the Rauschmonstrum has had over a more than 50 year period, we get a sense of the interesting new world he has created.’

Now, our Rauschmonstrum being ‘mature’ in development this book is a terrific series of interviews whose content outlines possible altered views of history. The interviews include sessions with Mike Wallace 1959, Norman Mailer 1963, William F. Buckley 1968, Dick Cavett 1973, Johnny Carson 1979, James Toback 1988, Charlie Rose 1993, David Letterman 1998, MIke Wallace again 2002, Conan O’Brien 2009, Tavis Smiley 2011, Greg ‘Opie’ Hughes and Anthony Cumia and Louis C.K. 2013, Oprah Winfrey 2015, and Jimmy Fallon 2016.

Nick is at the inception of his career (unless this is a nom de plume for a well known comedian). Watch what he does with his concepts. Relax and read it as a fine bit of parody and rasty comedy with a bit of a bite.
10 reviews
September 11, 2017

If you’re looking for a satirical piece of writing, you will find this creative piece of writing interesting. It describes the Rauschmonstrum, a shapeshifter with no known origins and with supernatural abilities. This cloud of smoke/shifting shadow can shift its shape, taking the form of any human being. The Rauschmonstrum has influenced history and major historical events and in a series of interviews reveals his meddling ways. 

The book isn’t meant to be taken seriously, if you do it will be very offensive. The Rauschmonstrum claims to have created the religions of the world, including Christianity and inspiring Jesus to think he was the Messiah which is blasphemous. The Rauschmonstrum takes center place and replaces God and explains his actions through a serious of tv shows and radio talk shows, of which you are reading the transcripts. 

In terms of creativity, the book is a 4, I enjoyed reading it as the author is a skilled writer and injects his humor into the writing. In terms of content, like I said, it can be offensive to believers. To give you an example- the first book on the Rauchmonstrum is titled, “The Gospel of the Rauschmonstrum where he goes through and discredits the original tale told in the Bible. 
Profile Image for Valery.
1,461 reviews57 followers
August 21, 2017
Interviews With the Rauschmonstrum by Nick LaTorre is a tour de force about a shapeshifter who predicts human history, including elections. He is depicted on the cover of the book with someone who appears to be Dick Cavett, during an interview by the same. Told in a unique format, with a series of interviews, the first with Mike Wallace, this is an ingenious approach to political satire and observation. None of this is meant to be taken seriously, but just to ponder the supernatural essence of the Rauschmonstrum. All of the best television interviewers are included in this book from William F. Buckley to Jimmy Fallon. LaTorre delivers a fine performance with this satiric style of writing, and with nothing else to go on with any biographical data, the reader is left to wonder who this fascinating writer is and what he will come up with next.
Profile Image for Jimmy Jefferson.
1,043 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2017
Ingenious interview styled story

This was a great read about an amazing character. The author tells this story from an interview perspective. The main character is a shapeshfiter who is shaping mankind at his own discretion. The supernatural storyline is one of my favorites and I really enjoyed this one. I would recommend this read to everyone. Great development and a stand alone excellent story.
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