Authors, American - 20th century - Biography; Vidal, Gore, 1925-
Gore Vidal discusses his book, “Point to Point Navigation.” He begins by explaining that the book is a memoir of his life as a novelist, essayist, critic, and controversialist. Included in his memoir are his memories of Jack and Jacqueline...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Veterans; Lawyers; Public housing; Vietnam
Alfredo Véa discusses his novel, “Gods Go Begging.” He begins by explaining the plot of the novel, which follows the character Jesse Pasadoble. Jesse is a Vietnam veteran who now works in San Francisco as a defense attorney. Jesse is haunted...
China - History - Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976 - Biography; China - History - 1976 - 2002 - Biography; Foreign correspondents - China - Biography; American students - China - Nanjing (Jiangsu Sheng) - Biography; Nanjing da xue - Alumni and...
John Pomfret discusses his book, “Chinese Lessons.” He begins by sharing his memories of living and studying in China. He explains that he left Stanford University to study history in China and discusses the differences between higher education...
Civil rights movement; United States. Army; Segregation; Television acting; Korean War, 1950-1953; Veterans
James McEachin discusses his book, “Pebbles in the Roadway.” He begins by explaining that his book is a collection of essays and stories, which he wrote in an effort to “purge the mind.” He shares his memories of serving in the army and his...
Tormé, Mel, 1925-1999; Singers - United States - Biography
Mel Torme discusses his autobiography, “It Wasn’t All Velvet.” He elaborates on his multi-faceted career as a composer, lyricist, conductor, musician, actor, and more. He explains what a work day for him usually consists of and what projects...
Tehran (Iran) - Fiction; Americans - Iran - Fiction
Nahid Rachlin discusses her book, “The Heart’s Desire.” She begins by explaining the plot of the novel, which follows the main character Jennifer who marries an Iranian immigrant and the difficulties their opposing cultures present their...
Carolyn Howard-Johnson discusses her book, “Harkening” She begins by explaining that the book is a collection of short stories that are a mixture of creative non-fiction about her childhood in Utah and memories of her family members that span...
Seth Swirsky discusses his book, “Something to Write Home About.” He begins by explaining that the point of the book is that everyone has a story to tell about baseball. The book includes letters from President George Bush, Senator Ted Kennedy,...
Paesel, Brett; Mothers - California - Los Angeles - Biography; Motherhood - California - Los Angeles - Anecdotes; Character actors and actresses - California - Los Angeles - Biography; Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Biography
Brett Paesel discusses her book, “Mommies Who Drink.” She begins by explaining that her book is a collection of essays about things she and her friends have experienced. She talks about her time acting on the television shows, “Curb Your...
Rapp, Joel; Television writers - United States - Biography; Screenwriters - United States - Biography; Gardeners - United States - Biography; Radio broadcasters - United States - Biography
Joel Rapp discusses his autobiography, “Radio, TV, Mother Earth, & Me.” He begins by explaining that his father was a television program writer, and both of his parents were vaudeville actors. He talks about attending the University of...
Joseph Heller discusses his book, “Now and Then: From Coney Island to Here.” Heller talks about his half-siblings and losing his father at the age of five. He then talks about participating in psychoanalysis because of dreams and repressed...
City and town life - Fiction;
North Carolina - Fiction
Clyde Edgerton discusses his novel, “Where Trouble Sleeps.” He begins by explaining that his book is about a tragedy in a small rural town in North Carolina. He talks about his own life growing up in the south, and how he included many of his...
Families - Fiction; Mothers - Death - Fiction; Mothers and daughters - Fiction
Eliza Minot discusses her book, “The Tiny One.” She explains that the novel follows the story of eight-year-old Via Mahoney Revere. When Via’s mother dies unexpectedly in a violent car crash, Via struggles with her grief. She is confused by...
United States - Politics and government - 1963-1969; United States - Politics and government - 1961-1963; Goodwin, Richard N.; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Richard Goodwin discusses his book, “Remembering America.” Goodwin served as a speechwriter for both President John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He begins this interview by discussing the changing role of speechwriters from the Roosevelt...
Anne Rice discusses her novel, “The Vampire Lestat.” Rice begins by discussing the plot of the novel, which chronicles the life of the vampire Lestat; a character that was first introduced in Rice’s book “Interview with the Vampire.” She...
Soviet Union - Foreign relations - United States; United States - Foreign relations - Soviet Union; Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962; Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeevich, 1894-1971; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Max Frankel discusses his book, “High Noon.” The book explores the history of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the minds of the men who provoked and later resolved the infamous confrontation. As a journalist, Frankel explains how he utilized his...
Union City (N.J.) - Fiction; Soap operas - Fiction; Factories - Fiction; Women immigrants - New Jersey - Fiction; Cubans - New Jersey - Fiction
Eduardo Santiago discusses his book, “Tomorrow They Will Kiss.” He begins by explaining the plot of the novel that charts the lives of three proud and resourceful women who have immigrated to the United States from Cuba. Graciela, Caridad, and...
Film critics - United States - Biography; Stone, Judy, 1924-
Judy Stone discusses her book, “Not Quite a Memoir.” She begins by explaining that the book is based on the essays and interviews she has done throughout her career as a critic for several major newspapers. Stone describes how she first began...
Pittsburgh (Pa.) - Social life and customs - Fiction; African American poor families - Fiction
Jewell Parker Rhodes discusses her book, “Porch Stories.” She begins by explaining that the book is a tribute to her grandmother who helped raise Rhodes and significantly influenced and inspired her. She shares how she was left with her father...
London (England) - Fiction; Arts, English - England - London - Fiction; World War, 1914-1918 - Veterans - Fiction; Women private investigators - England - London - Fiction; Dobbs, Maisie (Fictitious character) - Fiction
Jacqueline Winspear discusses her novel, “Messenger of Truth.” She begins by explaining that this is the third book in the Maisie Dobbs series. Winspear shares the plot of the novel, which is set in London, 1931 and revolves around the sudden...
