Recently, I learned that NotebookLM from Google could create a podcast from documents you have uploaded.  It is a podcast with two people speaking, one a man and the other a woman.  I uploaded my book, The Flight of a Wild Duck.  I have been using NotebookLM for a while and found it very useful for interrogating documents.  For instance, I uploaded a rental contract and then I could make various quires.  

I uploaded a PDF version of my book.  It took about a minute.  My book is 340 pages by the way.

It then created a summary, key topics,  and FAQ.  All that was very nice and what I expected.  But then the mind blowing event happened

Summary

“The Flight of a Wild Duck” is Avram Miller’s memoir detailing his journey from a sickly child to a prominent figure in Silicon Valley. The book is structured chronologically, chronicling his life from his childhood, characterized by illness and a thirst for learning, to his early experiences as a merchant seaman, hippie, and musician. Miller details his unexpected transition into the computer field, fueled by his natural curiosity and passion for understanding how things work. He then recounts his career at companies like Digital Equipment Corporation, Franklin Computer, and Intel, highlighting the critical role he played in the development of personal computers, broadband technology, and venture capital. The narrative shifts to his experiences after leaving Intel, as he navigates the volatile world of internet startups and ultimately reflects on his career, emphasizing themes of resilience, creativity, and the importance of taking risks. The book concludes with a poignant message, encouraging readers to embrace their individuality, challenge conventional wisdom, and pursue their own unique paths.

Then I had it create the podcast.  I decided to try my experiment with my book because I knew it so well.  NotebookLM nailed it.  It really got into the essence of what I had written.  And because the book is really about me and my journey, it got me as well.  

There is no way I can communicate the experience.  I invite you to listen to it.  It is 22 minutes long.  Of course, it was not perfect I doubt that if I gave my book to podcasters they would have been able to do a better job.

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/dda0171e-bd69-429e-a8c3-68fe851952e2/audio

And if you want to buy my book, please go to www.wildduckflight.com.