Kelly Ashbury discusses his book, “Dummy Days.” He begins by describing the popularity of ventriloquism in the early days of radio, television, and vaudeville. He talks about the famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie...
Channing, Carol; Actors - United States - Biography; Singers - United States - Biography
Carol Channing discusses her autobiography, “Just Lucky I Guess.” She begins by explaining her early life and childhood, and how she grew up singing and acting. She talks about her early acting career and how she tried out for a part in the...
Giacometti, Alberto, 1901-1966; Artists - France - Biography
Laurie Wilson discusses her book, “Alberto Giacometti.” She begins by explaining the early life of the Surrealist sculptor Alberto Giacometti. She talks about how the artist grew up in Switzerland, and decided to become an artist because his...
Spielberg, Steven, 1946- - Juvenile literature;
Spielberg, Steven, 1946-;
Motion picture producers and directors - United States - Biography - Juvenile literature;
Motion picture producers and directors
Susan Goldman Rubin discusses her book, “Steven Spielberg.” She begins by explaining that Spielberg made his first movie at age 11, and explored his creativity in filmmaking at an early age. She talks about how she was the first author who...
John Clute discusses his book, “The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: An Illustrated A to Z.” He begins by explaining the differences between the genres of science fiction and fantasy. He describes that many writers look backwards to ancient...
Window dressers - Great Britain - Biography; Doonan, Simon, 1952-
Simon Doonan discusses his book, “Nasty.” He begins by discussing the plot of the book, which uses humor to recount his life in 1950s and 1960s Reading, England. Doonan explains his early obsession with glamor and beautiful people, which led...
Agricultural colonies - United States - History; Jewish farmers - United States - History; Jews - United States - History
Rabbi Uri Herscher discusses his books, “The East European Jewish Experience in America,” and “Jewish Agricultural Utopias in America, 1880-1910.” He begins by talking about his position as the executive Vice President of Hebrew Union...
Micheline Aharonian Marcom discusses her novel, “The Daydreaming Boy.” She begins by talking about why she decided to write the book from a man’s point of view during the Armenian genocide. She discusses life in Beirut in the early 1960s...
World War, 1914-1918 - Participation, African American - Fiction;
African American families - Fiction;
African American soldiers - Fiction;
African American men - Fiction;
Louisiana - Fiction;
Oklahoma - Fiction
Guy Johnson discusses his novel, “Standing at the Scratch Line.” He begins by talking about how he wanted to write about the life experience of African Americans in the early 1900s. He describes how his main character joins an all-black...
Unruh, Jesse, 1922-1987;
Unruh, Jesse, 1922-1987 - Influence;
California. Legislature. Assembly - Speakers - Biography;
Politicians - California - Biography;
Legislators - California - Biography;
Center parties - United States - Case...
Bill Boyarsky discusses his biography, “Big Daddy.” He begins by talking about the early life of politician Jesse Unruh. He talks about Jesse’s college education through the G.I. Bill and his time serving in the Navy. He discusses how...
Vardon, Harry, 1870-1937;
Ouimet, Francis;
Golf - History
Mark Frost discusses his book, “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” He begins by talking about one of the earliest golfers Harry Vardon and how he became the first British champion in golf. He discusses the life of another famous player, Francis...
Rosselli, Johnny;
Criminals - United States - Biography;
Mafia - United States - History - 20th century
Charles Rappleye discusses his book, “All American Mafioso.” He begins by explaining the early life of Johnny Rosselli, a hit man for the mafia. He talks about how Rosselli was born in Boston, moved to Chicago, and became friends with Al...
David Baldacci discusses his novel, “Absolute Power,” which takes place in Washington DC, where a character Luther is set out to rob a mansion, but accidentally witnesses the President of the United States having an affair with the lady of the...
Clark, Jim, 1944-; Businessmen - United States - Biography; Computer software industry - United States - History
Michael Lewis discusses his book, “The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story.” Lewis describes the early life of Jim Clark, founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon. He then talks about “conspicuous production,” individuals...
Lindfors, Viveca, 1920-1995; Actors - Sweden - Biography
Viveca Lindfors discusses her autobiography, “Vivika… Vivica…” She begins by explaining why she decided to change the spelling of her name at an early age. She talks about her career as a stage actress and singer from Sweden. She...
Quentin Crisp discusses his book, “Manners From Heaven.” He begins by explaining how his early life was different from most children’s, how he got made fun of by bullies and the strained relationship with his father. He advises how to...
Leonard Wolf discusses his novel, “The False Messiah.” He begins by explaining that his book takes place in the year 1630 and follows a real man named Shabbethai Tzevi who believed he was the second coming of the Messiah. He describes the...
Alexander, Shana;
Ager, Milton, 1893-1979;
Journalists - United States - Biography;
Musicians - United States - 20th century - Biography
Shana Alexander discusses her autobiography, “Happy Days.” She begins by explaining that she is the daughter of famous composer Milton Ager, and her mother was a screenwriter for MGM Studios. She talks about her early life and how her parents...
Spiegel, Sam;
Motion picture producers and directors - United States - Biography
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni discusses her book, “Sam Spiegel: The Incredible Life and Times of Hollywood’s Most Iconoclastic Producer, the Miracle Worker Who Went from Penniless Refuge to Show Biz Legend, and Made Possible The African Queen, On...
Pianists;
Pianists - United States - Biography;
Musicians - United States - Biography
Academy Award winning composer and pianist John Green discusses his life and plays selections from songs he’s composed. He begins by talking about his early life, and publishing his first song while studying at Harvard. He discusses his...
