Books Behind Closed Doors with Rene Syler April 30, 2007 • The former CBS co-anchor talks about her life-changing decision — choosing a double mastectomy over the possibility of breast cancer. Also, in her new book she confronts America's obsession with perfect parenthood. Behind Closed Doors with Rene Syler Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9911563/9911564" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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National Does Tenet Paint True Picture of Post Sept. 11? April 30, 2007 • In his book, At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA, former CIA director George Tenet defends himself and his agency against criticism stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks and flawed pre-war intelligence. Guests look at Tenet's claims and the counterclaims. Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9918826/9918829" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Back to Basics: Kingsolver Clan Lives off Land April 29, 2007 • In a departure from her popular novels, author Barbara Kingsolver takes her family back to its roots in Appalachia to live off the land for her latest book. The clan learns to "eat deliberately." Back to Basics: Kingsolver Clan Lives off Land Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9891473/9891476" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Books Life in 'The Republic of Pirates' April 29, 2007 • Movie versions of pirates may miss a more compelling story. Colin Woodard, author of The Republic of Pirates, says for many British sailors, a pirate's life afforded freedom, money and a surprising amount of democracy. Life in 'The Republic of Pirates' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9903589/9903590" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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National Rybczynski on America's Love Affair with the Town April 28, 2007 • Architect Witold Rybczynski is known for his books exploring the most basic questions of the man-made environment. His latest book is called Last Harvest: How a Cornfield Became New Daleville. Rybczynski on America's Love Affair with the Town Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9899336/9899339" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Poets and Gangsters: Discovering Roberto Bolano April 28, 2007 • The New York publishing world is buzzing about The Savage Detectives, a novel by the late Chilean author Roberto Bolano that was published almost a decade ago. Poets and Gangsters: Discovering Roberto Bolano Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9852989/9852990" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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The Story of Vietnam's 'Perfect Spy' April 28, 2007 • Larry Berman's new book, Perfect Spy, tells the true story of reporter Pham Xuan An. He was a Time magazine reporter who also worked as a secret agent for the Communist Party in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Story of Vietnam's 'Perfect Spy' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9896327/9896328" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Politics Former CIA Chief Says Iraq Threat Not Debated April 27, 2007 • Former CIA Director George Tenet is defending his actions in the months leading up to the Iraq war in a new book called At the Center of the Storm. Reporter Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times speaks with Steve Inskeep about Tenet's view of his own role in the road to war. Former CIA Chief Says Iraq Threat Not Debated Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9872027/9872032" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Books Robert Dallek, Summing Up 'Nixon and Kissinger' Fresh Air April 25, 2007 • Presidential historian Robert Dallek has written about LBJ, JFK, FDR and Ronald Reagan. Now, in his book Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power, he tackles two political titans he describes as "self-serving characters with grandiose dreams of recasting world affairs." Robert Dallek, Summing Up 'Nixon and Kissinger' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9788462/9816813" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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National Poetry Month 2007 'Thing' April 25, 2007 • "Thing" appears in Next Life, Rae Armantrout's new collection of poems. Armantrout has taught writing for almost 20 years at the University of California, San Diego. Her work has been praised for syntax that borders on everyday speech while grappling with questions of deception and distortion.
Books To Girls, 'Sassy' Meant Something More April 25, 2007 • Not every teen magazine was all about makeup and boys. To its readers, Sassy helped bring girl power to the mainstream. Writer Kara Jesella talks about the magazine's cult following and her new book, How Sassy Changed My Life. Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9826498/9826503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Obituaries Halberstam Brought Truth to Sports, Too April 25, 2007 • The late writer David Halberstam earned most of his accolades with hard-hitting accounts of American political issues and institutions, but he also gave us great books on sports. He applied rigorous journalism to sports writing. Halberstam Brought Truth to Sports, Too Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9814487/9814488" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Pop Culture Rock Shots: Behind the Bands, Behind the Lens April 24, 2007 • Tom Wright traveled as a road manager with the Rolling Stones, the Faces, the Who and other bands from the late '60s through the early '80s. But Wright is also a photographer — so while he was collecting indelible experiences in those decades, he was also collecting extraordinary images. Rock Shots: Behind the Bands, Behind the Lens Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9599650/9801129" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Obituaries 'Amateurs' Subject Reflects on Halberstam April 24, 2007 • Tiff Wood, who was profiled by David Halberstam for the book The Amateurs. At the time, Wood was a rower who aspired to compete in the 1984 Olympics. Wood looks back at the experience. 'Amateurs' Subject Reflects on Halberstam Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/9801028/9801033" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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National Poetry Month 2007 'In the Old Days...' April 23, 2007 • This untitled poem is from Ko Un's most recent book, Flowers of a Moment, translated by Brother Anthony of Taize, Young-moo Kim, and Gary Gach. Ko Un grew up in Korea during the Japanese Occupation. During the Korean War, he was conscripted by the People's Army. In 1952, he became a Buddhist and lived a monastic life for ten years.