Rick Wartzman discusses his book, “Obscene in the Extreme: The Burning and Banning of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.” Wartzman talks about the 400,000 people who migrated to California from the Dust Bowl searching for a better life...
Jon Fasman discusses his book, “The Geographer’s Library.” He begins by saying how he takes inspiration from history although his book is not strictly historical. He talks about the plot of the book and the significance of iconic items that...
Brown, Dan, 1964- Da Vinci Code; Jesus Christ - In literature; Mary Magdalene, Saint - In literature; Christian saints in literature; Christianity in literature
Daniel Burstein discusses his book, “Secrets of the Code.” He begins by talking about Dan Brown’s bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code and how he decided to base his book on stories that Dan Brown had alluded to. Burstein talks about the...
Science fiction - Authorship; Authors, American - 20th century - Biography; Bradbury, Ray, 1920-
Ray Bradbury discusses his book, “Let’s All Kill Constance,” and Jerry Weist’s biography of him, “Bradbury: An Illustrated Life: A Journey to Far Metaphor.” Martinson begins by reading an excerpt from “Let’s All Kill Constance.” ...
Rap (Music) - History and criticism; Rap (Music) - Social aspects; Hip-hop; Hip-hop - Influence; Hip-hop - Social aspects; Hip-hop - United States
Cheryl L. Keyes discusses her book, “Rap Music and Street Consciousness.” She starts by describing the early history of rap and hip-hop music by explaining how it’s a combination of Caribbean beats with a traditional African...
Peter Greenberg discusses his book, “The Travel Detective Flight Crew Confidential: People Who Fly for a Living Reveal Insider Secrets and Hidden Values in Cities and Airports Around the World.” In the book, Greenberg gives the inside scoop on...
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...
Rapture (Christian eschatology) - Fiction; Messiah - Prophecies - Fiction; Two thousand, A.D. - Fiction; End of the world - Fiction; Millennialism - Fiction; Armageddon - Fiction
Andrei Codrescu discusses his novel, “Messiah.” He begins by introducing his main characters and explains how his book is about Christian prophecies in New Orleans. He talks about his main character, a young girl who believes the words of a...
Noah Adams discusses his book, “Piano Lessons.” He begins by explaining how he decided to first take piano lessons at age 51. He talks about working at National Public Radio for over 20 years and how he got the chance to interview pianists. ...
Miller, Judith, 1948- - Travel - Middle East; Islam and politics - Middle East; Middle East - Politics and government - 1979-
Judith Miller talks about her autobiography, “God Has Ninety-Nine Names.” She begins by explaining that the title of her book was borrowed from a line in the Quran. She explains her position as the Bureau Chief for the New York Times, and...
Men - Psychology; Masculinity - History; War - History; War - Psychological aspects; Chivalry; Terrorism
Leo Braudy discusses his book, “From Chivalry to Terrorism.” The book takes a look at masculinity throughout history, beginning with Greek and Roman mythology and spanning to the present. He talks about how Julius Caesar revolutionized Rome...
Peter Hay discusses his book, “MGM: When the Lion Roars.” He begins by explaining that this book was written in conjunction with a 6-hour film about the production studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer. He talks about famous movies MGM made, and how it...
Islands - Fiction; Violence - Fiction; Maine - Fiction
John Connolly discusses his novel, “Bad Men.” He begins by explaining how he was inspired by folktales and legends that he learned growing up in Ireland. He talks about how he read an article about fortified islands off the coast of Maine and...
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...
Nancy Horan discusses her novel, “Loving Frank.” She begins by explaining that the book is about Frank Lloyd Wright’s time living in Oak Park, IL and how he falls in love with his client Mamah Cheney. Horan talks about what it was like to...
Mayer, Louis B. (Louis Burt), 1885-1957; Motion picture producers and directors - United States - Biography
Scott Eyman discusses his book, “Lion of Hollywood.” He begins by explaining the early life of Louis B. Mayer and how he was born in Russia, then traveled to Canada, and finally ended up in Hollywood. Eventually, he opened a silent film...
Hari Kunzru discusses his novel, “Transmission.” He begins by explaining that his book is about a man from India who moves to the United States to work for an anti-virus computer company. He talks about the amount of out-sourced jobs in the...
Erica Jong discusses her novel, “Serenissima.” She begins by explaining the book is about an actress who goes to Venice for a movie, but time travels back to the 16th century and falls in love with William Shakespeare. She talks about how she...
Saroyan, William, 1908-1981 - Death and burial; Authors, American - 20th century - Biography
Aram Saroyan discusses his book, “Last Rites.” He begins by explaining that he is the son of famous Depression Era writer William Saroyan. He talks about the strained relationship between his father and the family. He describes that he...
Lauder, Evelyn H; Photography, Artistic; Nature - Pictorial works
Evelyn H. Lauder discusses her book, “An Eye for Beauty.” She begins by explaining that she tries to find beauty in unexpected places and always keeps her camera with her. She talks about her experience going to Ground Zero after September...
