Interview With Author Jack R. Bialik

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?  The initial inspiration for Lost in Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge came from watching documentaries where humanity lost knowledge in antiquity, only to rediscover it in modern times. Examples such as cataract surgery that was performed in 2400 BC or ancient roman vending machines, countless numbers of lost libraries and real-life examples of how we have lost knowledge in recent times due to war, earth calamities and human error. That concept alone was captivating, but after spending 10 years researching and reflecting, I found myself asking a deeper question: What’s the bigger picture? That question became the heart of the book and the driving force behind its creation.  

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for?  Lost In Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge is a non-fiction book that explores the knowledge we’ve lost, forgotten, or destroyed throughout history—and why we risk losing what we have today. The book is an exploration of examples of humanity’s knowledge—technological, medical, philosophical, and cultural—that have been lost over the ages and how fragile our present record really is. Drawing on over 300 examples, the book highlights surprising forgotten innovations (like cataract surgery in ancient India, early fountain pens, sanitation systems, and the Baghdad Battery) while arguing that only about 1.6% of human history is preserved in any form. I warn that our increasingly digital culture may face similar losses unless we take concrete steps to safeguard collective memory and ensure that knowledge becomes enduring wisdom, not fleeting data. The book is written for anyone, from teenagers to adults, who has an interest in history, archaeology, humanity, and the ongoing pursuit of improving our lives and the world around us  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?  I hope readers come away with a deeper awareness of the knowledge we’ve lost and rediscovered, and how that awareness can inspire us to make better choices for the future. Many believe that today’s technology ensures our information and wisdom will last forever, but this book challenges that assumption. My hope is that it encourages readers to think critically about preserving knowledge and making decisions that benefit future generations.  

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The title encapsulates the essence of the book: the concept of lost knowledge. The cover design reflects the passage of time, with a backdrop of time itself and a foreground featuring inventions and creations—from ancient wonders like the pyramids to modern innovations like the newspaper. It’s a visual representation of humanity’s journey through time and knowledge.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?  Never run. Always persevere. I’m reminded of a show where contestants race around the world, and one thing stands out: you never know how you’ll finish. Even when things seem bleak and you feel like you’re out of the race, you might just find yourself winning. Push through the tough times, don’t quit, and give it your best effort. You’ll likely achieve more than you ever imagined.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see — and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?  When I first started this book, I sought out publishers and literary agents. To my surprise, I found an agent after just four query letters! Unfortunately, that partnership didn’t work out due to unrelated circumstances, and I had to start over. Fast forward 10 years, and the first question authors are asked is, “How many followers do you have?” The industry has clearly shifted toward social media presence. It’s also easier than ever to self-publish or hybrid publish, giving authors more options. Today, having a strong public or social media presence is almost as important as the book itself. 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?  My background in technology was incredibly helpful, as was my life journey of growing up in nine different states. Moving so often gave me a broad perspective on life and humanity, which deeply influenced the themes and ideas in this book.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?  My writing style is approachable yet thought-provoking, blending storytelling with deep research to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience. I aim to spark curiosity and encourage readers to think critically about the world around them. Readers who enjoy the works of Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens), Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs, and Steel), or even Carl Sagan (Cosmos) may find my book resonates with them. Like these authors, I strive to connect the dots between history, science, and humanity in a way that’s both engaging and enlightening. 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? The manuscript sat on the shelf for quite some time. It wasn’t until I met an acquaintance at a group dinner that I found the motivation to finish it. This learned individual took a genuine interest in me and the book, reigniting my drive to complete the manuscript. My wife was also a constant source of support, always encouraging me and giving me the nudge I needed to keep going. 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Do you know what knowledge we’ve lost, forgotten, or destroyed? If not, I encourage you to pick up Lost in Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge and discover its insights. You’ll not only learn fascinating facts, but also gain a fresh perspective on our lives, our history, and the way we live today. Most importantly, this book might inspire you to take action for humanity’s future—helping to make the world a better place for the next generation and beyond. As the ancient Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Perhaps you will be the one to take that first step.

About The Author: Jack R. Bialik is a global thought leader and innovator in the field of sustainable knowledge, with over a decade of dedicated research into the fascinating cycles of how humanity gains, loses, and risks forgetting its collective wisdom. With a foundation in electrical engineering, Jack’s career has spanned remarkable achievements—from serving the U.S. Air Force to driving innovation at Motorola, managing multi-million-dollar IT projects, contributing to White House technology initiatives, and engaging in humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Now, as the author of Lost In Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge, Jack explores the urgent need to preserve humanity’s knowledge for future generations, offering profound insights into how we can break the cycle of loss and safeguard our intellectual legacy for future generations. His work is a call to action for a more sustainable future of human understanding. Please see: http://lostintime.world/

 

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,400,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum