On February 9, 2024, the Japan Society hosted an event featuring author Ronald Drabkin. Drabkin discussed his book Beverly Hills Spy alongside his agent, Mark Tauber. The author of Beverly Hills Spy has a captivating background, from family secrets and espionage to his passion for writing.
At the event, Ronald Drabkin talked about his life experiences and shared interesting stories regarding his background, past, and favorite sections, as well as some spoilers from the book. Some of those sections included stories about Hollywood, his thoughts on whose fault it was for the attack on Pearl Harbor, and an exciting theory related to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. After his presentation, Ron and Mark participated in a moderated conversation to discuss why Ron wanted to write this book, how he could compile all of this information, and his plans to translate the book into Japanese. After the moderated discussion, Ron conducted a Q&A with the audience to answer any lingering questions that they may have had.
In Beverly Hills Spy, the story unfolds the fascinating life of Frederick Rutland, a British hero and flying ace during World War I who defied expectations with a captivating double life. Despite Rutland’s remarkable achievements, he faced class politics and unfair promotion denials in the Royal Air Force. Frustrated, he turned to espionage, becoming a spy for Japan and skillfully navigating between Los Angeles and Tokyo. Rutland’s strategic intelligence included crucial details about US troop movements, military readiness, and aircraft technology, ultimately contributing to Japan’s infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. Ronald Drabkin’s meticulously researched book illuminates this mysterious character, offering a tale more exciting than a fictional story of heroism, filled with intrigue and unexpected choices during World War I.
After the engaging Q&A session, Steve Pollock, President of the Japan Society of Northern California, delivered closing remarks. Guests then enjoyed a delightful networking session with delectable food catered by Onigilly.
We also want to extend a special thanks to our moderator, Mark Tauber, for helping guide the discussion, direct questions, and keep track of time. Additionally, we’d like to express our gratitude to our guests for making this event possible and sharing it on social media! We hope to see you all at upcoming events hosted by the Japan Society of Northern California!
Are you interested in hearing Rutand’s full story? Purchase the book here to find out more information: https://united-states.kinokuniya.com/bw/9780063310070.
Did you miss the event or want to watch it again? Check out our video on YouTube!
