Name: John Matel: Good afternoon to our German guests and good morning Mr. Strasser. We are almost ready to start and we invite your questions.
Thank you, John Matel [October 20, 2005 08:53]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: I read three of your novels “The Wave” , “Asphalt Tribe” , “Give a Boy a Gun” and I really have to say that I like your expression of realism. It’s like "opening eyes" by reading these books. In my opinion there is a lack of authors like you which write about such controversial but more than interesting topics! [October 20, 2005 09:01]

Name: Todd Strasser: Thank you! [October 20, 2005 09:02]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: In your novel you explicit show how easy human beings can be influenced by regimes like Hitler’s.Do you think that people learned something out of this time and additional out of your genius novel(for example from Laurie’s opinion)? [October 20, 2005 09:01]

Name: Todd Strasser: I believe, and I most certainly hope, that people learned a great deal both from what actually happened and from my book. [October 20, 2005 09:04]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: Unfortunately many humans have prejudices against German people nowadays in cause of our history. What is your personal opinion about Germany and its inhabitants in general? [October 20, 2005 09:04]

Name: Todd Strasser: I don't know if it's true that people in other countries are so prejudiced. Personally, I have visited Germany several times over the past five years and find everyone very nice and no more prejudiced that people in the US. [October 20, 2005 09:07]

Name: foundintheflood: In your biography you mentioned that you lived in Europe for some time. In which citys did you live and what were the most important impressions? [October 20, 2005 09:04]

Name: Todd Strasser: I traveled through many countries and lived for about 9 months in Copenhagen, which is a far more civilized place than New York! [October 20, 2005 09:09]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: A Chinese proverb says: “Teach me and I’ll forget. Involve me and I’ll learn.”With the experiment of “The Wave” and its consequences in our mind: Do you agree with the proverb? [October 20, 2005 09:04]

Name: Todd Strasser: Yes, I think it is quite true for most people. We have to experience to really learn important life lessons. [October 20, 2005 09:10]
Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Friends of mine visited other countries and had to run away. Some people tried to catch them and screamed something like nazis and so on... really frightened [October 20, 2005 09:11]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Christine: In German bookstores, you wouldn’t find “The Wave” in the regular shelves without knowing that you have to search for it among children’s fiction. Did you mind any target group in particular (adolescent, adult) when you wrote “The Wave”? If so, what reason for? [October 20, 2005 09:08]

Name: Todd Strasser: I wrote the book for teenagers. I believe this group is very open-minded and more receptive to ideas. [October 20, 2005 09:11]
Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Hello Mr Morton Rhue, my name is Felix. First of all I would like to tell you is that I liked your book a lot, especially because of its timeless.The question I’m especially concerned about is if this experiment can also be that successful in Germany after the cruel history of WW II, because in my view as a student, I think that I and my classmates already learned enough about how people can be betrayed by propaganda,that such a situation won’t happen again. Now I want to know what the American author thinks about the situation in Germany. [October 20, 2005 09:05]

Name: Todd Strasser: Felix,I don't know enough about Germany to answer. But during my visits I have observed that you appear to be correct. I think it's more of a potential problem right now in the US. [October 20, 2005 09:13]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum - Tina Strasse: Wasn’t in a way dangerous to publish your book? I mean you’ve showed that it’s still easy to manipulate people and to make them believe. Did you realise the danger beforehand? [October 20, 2005 09:08]

Name: Todd Strasser: I don't think it is dangerous because anyone who reads the book will see what the danger is. [October 20, 2005 09:14]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium - Tina Strasse: In your book “the wave” you show that something like the nazi-regime could happen again everywhere and anytime. This is a very controversial topic because people usually tend to neglect such ideas. Which reactions did you get from those you’ve confronted your book with? [October 20, 2005 09:14]

Name: Todd Strasser: Tina,I find people are very open to the book and mindful that such a thing could happen again if we are not careful. [October 20, 2005 09:16]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium - Doreen: Mr. Strasser, your book for young people "The Wave" is the first one of yours that became very popular due to the scholastic use in German courses. Did your perceive any discrepant resonances of German adolescents and for example American ones? If yes, please explain the differences! [October 20, 2005 09:15]

Name: Todd Strasser: Doreen,In a way I think German students take the book a little more seriously because they know it can happen. Here in the US it is widely read, but not taken quite so seriously. [October 20, 2005 09:17]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium carolinum - Tina Strasse: Did you expect people all over the world to be interested in such a controversial topic? [October 20, 2005 09:16]

Name: Todd Strasser: Tina,In all honesty, I think it is something that has to be brought to their attention, such as in school. Otherwise I suspect many will not be interested. But isn't that also the case with many things? Such as geometry? [October 20, 2005 09:18]

Name: Todd Strasser: Doreen,Very interesting question. I don't know the answer. [October 20, 2005 09:19]

Name: foundintheflood: Greetings from the Frankfurt Bookfair. Why aren't you here? [October 20, 2005 09:19]

Name: Todd Strasser: Ha! I was invited, but it is a bit too costly. [October 20, 2005 09:20]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: You said that you visited Germany several times, a huge amount of students from our school would be interested in talking to you personally. Could you imagine to visit our school to talk with them on one of your next journeys?:) [October 20, 2005 09:16]

Name: Todd Strasser: I will be visiting again the first two weeks of March and speaking in schools. You can get in touch with my publisher (Ravensburger) and ask. I visited one school last time because they asked. [October 20, 2005 09:21]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: Felix, I think that a strong personality can withstand such a movement like the wave, but somebody with a low self esteem can’t.Is it just a question of character or are some people more vulnerable than others to get infected by propaganda? [October 20, 2005 09:15]

Name: Todd Strasser: Felix, Another very good question. I absolutely agree. However, in times of national stress, do you think perhaps many of those in the middle can also be infected? [October 20, 2005 09:24]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: Are you looking forward to write a book which refers to the happings in the school in Erfurt a few years ago? [October 20, 2005 09:23]

Name: Todd Strasser: Jakob,Sadly, I wrote the book Ich Knall Euch Ab! just before the terrible event in Erfurt. [October 20, 2005 09:25]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Felix: Mr. Strasser, do you think that Americans are sometimes having a bit more prejudices than Germans especially because of the German history. [October 20, 2005 09:24]

Name: Todd Strasser: No, not the country as a whole. It is always very much on the minds of the American Jews, but otherwise, not really. [October 20, 2005 09:26]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Christine: Is the potential in the US you mentioned due to 9-11? [October 20, 2005 09:23]

Name: Todd Strasser: Chritine,No, I think it has more to do with the religious evangelical movement. [October 20, 2005 09:27]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Christine: The English influence on the German bookmarket is huge: Only 24% of German bestsellers are written by German authors, but by contrast, 94% of American bestsellers are home made products. What makes an English novel attractive to German readers in your eyes? Which narrative elements were important to you while writing The Wave? [October 20, 2005 09:09]

Name: Todd Strasser: Another very good question. I don't know the answer, but there are also some German writers and film makers who are very popular in the US, so it goes both ways. [October 20, 2005 09:28]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: I think the fascist movements can defenitely infect all parts of the society- I think these process is increasing... [October 20, 2005 09:29]

Name: foundintheflood: The U.S. consul general Peter Bodde has just arrived at the Frankfurt Bookfair and sends his regards. [October 20, 2005 09:29]

Name: foundintheflood: Since WWII, German people are rejecting any forms of patriotism. At the moment, there is even a campaign named "you are Germany" to get at least some little bit of a national pride to the people.In the US, patriotism is pretty popular. What do you think about patriotism? Is it a good / bad thing in general, or is it more like medicine and you can overdose it? [October 20, 2005 09:09]

Name: Todd Strasser: Very good metaphor. I believe I am quite patriotic, but it is important to be skeptical. [October 20, 2005 09:29]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Anne Egbert: As you have probably noticed is "The wave" a book that German students discuss in school. The US scholastic schedule doesn't include "The Wave". Did you think your book would become such an important part of german education? [October 20, 2005 09:29]

Name: Todd Strasser: Anne,The Wave is read a lot in American schools. [October 20, 2005 09:30]

Name: foundintheflood: How did you get to know about the original "wave experiment"?Did you talk to those students / the teacher? [October 20, 2005 09:14]

Name: Todd Strasser: I worked from the original essay by Ron Jones, which you can find at my website: toddstrasser.com [October 20, 2005 09:31]

Name: foundintheflood: What's your special link to Germany? You even have a special part for German people on your homepage. [October 20, 2005 09:10]

Name: Todd Strasser: My special link is bnased on the popularity of my books and a slight fondness for good beer. [October 20, 2005 09:32]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: The event which the book "The Wave" recaps was first made into a film. What do you think your book presents to a reader which is important that the film does not fulfill? [October 20, 2005 09:31]

Name: Todd Strasser: Sylvia,Actually, I think the film did a very good job in getting to the essense of the story. or is it essence? [October 20, 2005 09:33]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Tina : Your other books also deal with high-explosive topics, what are you planning for your next book, or have you already started? [October 20, 2005 09:31]

Name: Todd Strasser: My next book, which will come out next spring, will be about Boot Camps [October 20, 2005 09:33]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium michael: "give a boy a gun" a boy a gun tells the story about a terrible school massacre.how does such happenings influence your daily life??? [October 20, 2005 09:29]

Name: Todd Strasser: Michael - Since Columbine there have been fewer school shootings, except for a pretty bad one a year or two ago. I suspect the issue is fading from many people's thoughts. [October 20, 2005 09:34]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: I think the nazi movement was increasing since the last ten years all over the world and especially in Germany. Do you think you'd influenced many people who read 'The wave' to fight against fascist thoughts? [October 20, 2005 09:22]

Name: Todd Strasser: Jakob,Well, I hope so. [October 20, 2005 09:35]

Name: foundintheflood: When are visiting Germany again? [October 20, 2005 09:22]

Name: Todd Strasser: First two weeks of March 2006 [October 20, 2005 09:35]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: Where are you foundintheflood? You're saying quite interesting things. [October 20, 2005 09:36]

Name: foundintheflood: Which are the core-themes that you're most interested in regarding your books? [October 20, 2005 09:26]

Name: Todd Strasser: Almost always the themes involve the conflict between the "insiders" and the "outsiders." [October 20, 2005 09:36]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Tina Strasse: Do you care about reviews? [October 20, 2005 09:23]

Name: Todd Strasser: It is impossible not to, although sometimes a book with very good reviews in not well read and vica versa [October 20, 2005 09:37]

Name: foundintheflood: What are you working on at the moment besides surfing-techniques? [October 20, 2005 09:30]

Name: Todd Strasser: Well, I am hoping to surf a few more times before it gets too cold. But I am currently working on a book about poverty, as this seems to becoming more prevelant [October 20, 2005 09:38]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Tina: Do you know how the former pupils, who took part in this experiment, reacted when your book was published? [October 20, 2005 09:36]

Name: Todd Strasser: Tina,I do not. They seem to be hard to find. [October 20, 2005 09:39]

Name: foundintheflood: @ Jakob. I'm a student at the Frankfurt Bookfair. [October 20, 2005 09:40]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: Im really interested in how you prepare yourself before writing about a new subject. Do you read about it or do you visit places with historical or current examples and, additional to this, talk with people’s experiences about it? [October 20, 2005 09:26]

Name: Todd Strasser:I do a lot of reading and often visit places, though usually briefly. If there are people to speak to, I certainly do that. [October 20, 2005 09:40]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: I think outsiders always stick to stronger people in the hope of getting noticed through the more popular one... [October 20, 2005 09:40]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: Why didn't you involve anyone in the conflict in 'The wave' who represented a charakter with a strong Christian belief, as someone who follows a greater leader? [October 20, 2005 09:35]

Name: Todd Strasser: It didn't seem to be applicable to the story then. Although you could make a very good argument for that now. [October 20, 2005 09:41]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Doreen: The book "The Wave" includes worries from parents of students as well. Can your imagine the situation that your child is a part of an experiment like in "The Wave". Hhow would you react to this far-reaching interference in your pedagogical methods as a parent? [October 20, 2005 09:40]

Name: Todd Strasser: In various ways my children have often been exposed to peer pressures and I have always been careful to point it out to them. They probably think I'm a big pain about it. [October 20, 2005 09:42]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Anne: Did you ever get the chance to talk to Ron Jones in person? If yes, what did you think of him? [October 20, 2005 09:42]

Name: Todd Strasser: Anne,I have never met Ron Jones. I would like to someday. [October 20, 2005 09:43]

Name: foundintheflood: So you're a sceptical patriot. What exactly does that mean? [October 20, 2005 09:39]

Name: Todd Strasser: That means that when a leader says something that appears not to be true, I consider the possibility that it isn't. [October 20, 2005 09:44]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Heike: While in the US I found the American people very open-minded and interested in German history and Germany. And I liked their patriotism. But I couldn't quite agree with their attitude towards guns . What do you think is the reason for this attitude? [October 20, 2005 09:37]

Name: Todd Strasser: Sadly, America is a places where guns are part of the history and culture. People here have had them since the country was founded. I guess you could say that Americans like their guns. [October 20, 2005 09:45]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: When you started as an author did you aim to write for the younger generation or did your topics just seem to apply to teenagers? [October 20, 2005 09:42]

Name: Todd Strasser: My topics seemed to apply to teens. Then again, I started my first book at the age of 23, so I knew of little else. [October 20, 2005 09:47]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: The story was first made into a successful film afterwards you were commissioned to write the book. What do you think a book presents to a person which is necessary and not found in a movie? [October 20, 2005 09:14]

Name: Todd Strasser: Sylvia The book "fleshes out" the story by adding more detail and depth to the story and personalities. At least I hope it does. [October 20, 2005 09:49]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Heiko Benzin: Couild you imagine to write a funny book one day or is this an option you would never choose to take? For what reasons? [October 20, 2005 09:48]

Name: Todd Strasser: Well, actually, here in the US I am probably best known for my funny books. The Help! I'm Trapped in series, for instance. But it is difficult to translate humor, I guess. Although the books sell quite well in France. [October 20, 2005 09:50]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Doreen: Are your childrens experiences in school something like an inspiration or a muse for your stories in your books? [October 20, 2005 09:48]

Name: Todd Strasser: Doreen,Why do you think I had children? I needed material! [October 20, 2005 09:51]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Jakob: I think the american people don't have that much problems with weapons in their all day life, as we would have in germany if weapons would be easier to get for everybody here... [October 20, 2005 09:51]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: Why did you choose the pen name Morton Rhue? It sounds a little French. [October 20, 2005 09:51]

Name: Todd Strasser: I had two books coming out at the same time in 1981 and my publisher asked that one be under a pen name. Todd in German is similar to the word for dead. Strasser in German means street. Dead Street in French is ..... Mort Rue. [October 20, 2005 09:52]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Michael: Did you ever met michael moore? What do you think of his work?I think the controversial topics and the way to keep the realism in sight is (only?)one think that links you both?! [October 20, 2005 09:52]

Name: Todd Strasser: I haven't met him. I enjoy his work, but clearly he allows his biases to come through. [October 20, 2005 09:53]

Name: foundintheflood: When did you decide that you want to be an author? [October 20, 2005 09:49]

Name: Todd Strasser: I started writing a lot in college. Toward the end I decided to give it a try. And I've been fortunate. [October 20, 2005 09:54]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Felix: Mr Strasser, What do you think about the propaganda machine in the muslem fundamentalist states? [October 20, 2005 09:52]

Name: Todd Strasser: I suspect it goes back to what I said earlier about stress. When people are unhappy, unemployed, etc, they are more likely to respond to propaganda, don't you think? [October 20, 2005 09:55]

Name: foundintheflood: Into how many languages are your books translated ? [October 20, 2005 09:54]

Name: Todd Strasser: I think I once counted 12 languages. But not every book. Sometimes only one. [October 20, 2005 09:56]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: Why haven't you met Ron Jones? It seems like it would be an obvious occurance. [October 20, 2005 09:55]

Name: Todd Strasser: Possibly because I think he is on the West Coast and I am on the East Coast. I come to Germany far more often than California [October 20, 2005 09:57]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: Why do you choose the meaning dead as a part of your name? [October 20, 2005 09:57]

Name: Todd Strasser: Only because I was under the impression that todd was similar to the word dead in German [October 20, 2005 09:58]

Name: foundintheflood: How many (and which) languages do you speak? [October 20, 2005 09:58]

Name: Todd Strasser: Like many Americans, I struggle with one language. [October 20, 2005 09:59]

Name: Todd Strasser: What are the biggest and most important concerns of German teens? [October 20, 2005 10:00]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Anne: I read on your web-site that you went to New York University. I would be interested in what you were planning on getting your major in. [October 20, 2005 10:03]

Name: Todd Strasser: Anne,At first I had no idea. But later I realized I wanted to write and so studied literature [October 20, 2005 10:03]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: What do you think are the major influences that made you want to become an author? [October 20, 2005 10:03]

Name: Todd Strasser: I enjoyed reading books and was also influenced by the early songs and writings of Bob Dylan [October 20, 2005 10:04]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Heike: I fully agree with you about M. Moore. But I think the Germans see him as a kind of prophet wereas the Americans don't. [October 20, 2005 10:06]

Name: Todd Strasser: We certainly have had our share of storms. I was speaking about it with a friend. Here in New York, many people have forgotten. But at the same time thousands of lives have been completely uprooted in the South. [October 20, 2005 10:07]

Name: Todd Strasser Heike: Yes, here many of us agree with his basic ideas, but he presents them so extremely that they lose their power. [October 20, 2005 10:08]

Name: Todd Strasser: The biggest concerns of American teens? Cars, music, beer, the opposite sex. [October 20, 2005 10:09]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: Concerns? What would be best to study at a university, so that there is at least a little bit of a chance to get a job when I graduate. [October 20, 2005 10:09]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Sylvia: I believe the most important concern most German teens have concerns their scholastic results because without a good final exam grade it's hard to get into a university and then to find a good job. [October 20, 2005 10:09]

Name: Todd Strasser: Felix - Robert is the one who would have continued forever. [October 20, 2005 10:09]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium: I think, not to find a job, the growing of radicalism, left and right. [October 20, 2005 10:10]

Name: foundintheflood: "Leben" is the German word for "life". You wanna change your name? [October 20, 2005 10:08]

Name: Todd Strasser: Leben Rhue ;-) Who knows?I have enjoyed this quite a lot. Thank you all for your questions.Best Wishes, Todd [October 20, 2005 10:10]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Heike: Thank you for that interesting chat. [October 20, 2005 10:11]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Carolinum Tina: Our time at school is nearly over and we have to leave our hometown. I wonder what the future will bring for me. But i don't believe that this is a typical German concern... [October 20, 2005 10:12]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Heiko Benzin: Mr. Strasser, Carolinum Gymnasium, Neustrelitz, Germany, Mecklenburg, thanks you for both your literary work (so far) and your instant answers today. We appreciated having the opportunity to join this live chat very much. FYI: www.carolinum.de [October 20, 2005 10:13]

Name: Carolinum Gymnasium Michael: Thank you for sharing your time with us!!!! [October 20, 2005 10:14]