Showing results by author "Terry Gross" in All Categories

Writer Michael Pollan. His book, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World takes a look at four plants cultivated by humans: the apple, the tulip, potatoes and marijuana. Pollan demonstrates that plants and humans have developed a reciprocal, co-evolutionary relationship: Do we plant potatoes, or do potatoes seduce us into planting them? Pollan questions the assumption that we are in charge of our agriculture.

Linguist John McWhorter and photographer Joel Meyerowitz on this editin of Fresh Air.

On this edition of Fresh Air, a Blue Velvet special in honor of its release in a new DVD edition. Host Terry Gross speaks with director David Lynch who Mel Brooks once dubbed "Jimmy Stewart from Mars." And, you'll hear from actress and model Isabella Rossellini. Plus, rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Eminem's new recording, The Eminem Show. And guest film critic Armond White from the New York Pressreviews The Sum of All Fears.

On this edition of Fresh Air, we remember stage actress and acting teacher Uta Hagen. She died on Wednesday at the age of 84. She taught acting for more than 40 years, teaching such actors as Jack Lemmon, Sigourney Weaver, Matthew Broderick, and the late Geraldine Page.

Studio drummer Hal Blaine and an archive interview with journalist James Fallows on this edition of Fresh Air.

Historian and civil rights activist Roger Wilkins and writer Vernor Vinge on this edition of Fresh Air. Wilkins has written a new book Jefferson's Pillow. He considers our founding fathers and their conflicting attitudes toward race and how it affects his own sense of patriotism. Wilkins is a professor of history at George Mason University, a Pulitzer-prize winner, and former Assistant Attorney General under President Johnson.

This audio is like an informal writing clinic, as you listen to these writers talk about their lives, experiences and, of course, their writing. While you are listening, Terry Gross draws out from these great writers the answers to your questions, just as the query begins to form in your own head.

John F. Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek on this edition of Fresh Air. Dallek's new biography of John F. Kennedy called An Unfinished Life. He looked into medical records to reveal new information about Kennedy's health problems. He also discusses Kennedy's extramarital affairs and his life as a soldier.

On this edition of Fresh Air, the focus is the work of underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar and the new film based on his life and work, American Splendor. Harvey has been described as "working-class Everyman," and "first-class curmudgeon."

Salman Rushdie on this archive edition of Fresh Air. At the time of this interview, it had been more than six years since the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a death sentence against writer Salman Rushdie. Rushdie lived in hiding, continued to write and to make a few semi-public appearances. His book, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, published in 1990 was a fairy tale written for his son. His 1995 book East, West is a collection of stories about the line that divides East and West, migrancy, exile, and the notion of home. (Original broadcast date: January 25, 1995)

Journalist Floyd Norris and actor Michael Chiklis on this edition of Fresh Air. Floyd Norris is chief financial correspondent for The New York Times. He'll discuss the Bush administration's economic plan, including the tax break on stock dividends. Michael Chiklis stars as maverick cop Del Vik Mackey in the FX channel drama series The Shield. Last year, in the first year of the series, Chiklis won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. The Shield is a major departure from the sunnier roles Chiklis had in his past TV shows The Commish and...

The host and creator of This American Life Ira Glass on this edition of Fresh Air. His show can be heard on 350 public radio stations nationwide. Glass will talk about how he came to develop the style that defines the show and you'll hear some classic This American Life moments. There's a new double CD of the best shows called Lies, Sissies, & Fiascoes.

The Car Talk guys, Tom and Ray Magliozzi on this archive edition of Fresh Air. Tom and Ray talk with Host Terry Gross about their first garage and more.

Journalist James Bennet of The New York Times. He's the paper's Jerusalem Bureau Chief. He's been in the Middle East covering how the crisis there is affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. (Broadcast Date: December 19, 2002)

Children's TV host Fred Rogers on this edition of Fresh Air. Rogers died of stomach cancer on February 27, 2003, at the age of 74. His popular show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, was the longest-running program on public television. It ended in 2001 after 33 years on the air. Last year, Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor the nation can bestow. (Original Broadcast Date: November 13, 2002)

Satirist and host of the public radio program Le Show, Harry Shearer, on how he's been dealing with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on his show. Will Ferrell is a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live. Last weekend the show began the new season in a somber tone, opening the show with Mayor Guilliani surrounded by a group of New York fire fighters, police and EMT workers. Ferrell has portrayed President George Bush on the show as well as Janet Reno, Alex Trebek and Robert Goulet; his other send-ups include musical middle school teacher Marty Culp, and Spartan...

Father Donald Cozzens on this edition of Fresh Air. He is the author of The Changing Face of the Priesthood: A Reflection on the Priest's Crisis of Soul. Father Cozzens is president-rector and professor of pastoral theology at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland. He is also the editor of The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest. Father Cozzens will talk about the church's current sexual abuse scandals, and other crises facing the priesthood. (Broadcast Date: March 12, 2002)

Jon Stewart, co-producer and anchorman of Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Jim DeRogatis, author of Let it Blurt: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs, America's Greatest Rock Critic, on this edition of Fresh Air. Stewart's show is an alternative take on the news.

Authors Dalton Conley and Niall Ferguson on this edition of Fresh Air. Dalton Conley is the author of the memoir, Honky, about growing up white in a predominately African American.

Writer Mary Karr on this edition of Fresh Air. Mary Karr, author of the best-selling memoir The Liar's Club. Her new memoir Cherry which chronicles her teen age years is now out in paperback. In a follow up to what critics call "a hard scrabble childhood," she returns to East Texas to detail her adolescence. Karr relates anecdotes of rebellion, self-doubt and sexual coming of age. The recipient of several literary awards such as the Pushcart Prize and the Bunting Award, she has published two volumes of poetry. She is the Peck Professor of English Literature at Syracuse...