Terry Gross

Writer Ann Bannon (her pseudonym) has written a number of books of lesbian pulp fiction, including "Odd Girl Out," "I Am a Woman," and "Journey to a Woman." Bannon went on to become a college dean, and has kept her identity a secret.

Before he became a well-known detective novelist, Lawrence Block wrote a number of books of lesbian pulp fiction, under the pseudonym Jill Emerson (and others). Block is best known for his detective novels featuring the Manahatten private eye, Matt Scudder. His novels have followed Scudder through alcoholism and into recovery through an Alcoholics Anonymous program.

A conversation about lesbian pulp fiction with: Jaye Zimet who has compiled a new collection of book covers for lesbian pulp fiction: "Strange Sisters: The Art of Lesbian Pulp Fiction, 1949-1969" (Viking Studio).

Director of the United Hospital Fund's Project on Family Caregiving in an Age of Change, Carole Levine (Leh-VEEN). She brings her professional and personal life to bear on her work with the project: Since 1990, when her husband was critically injured in an automobile accident, she has been his caregiver. The Fund released a major new report on caregivers last month:"Rough Crossings: Family Caregivers' Odysseys through the Health Care System." Levine is also the founder and executive director of The Orphan Project: Families and Children in the HIV Epidemic.

Writers, professors, and brothers Frederick & Steven Barthelme. They've written a new memoir "Double Down: Reflections on Gambling and Loss" (Houghton Mifflin). After both their parents died within a year and a half of each other, the two grieving brothers went on a gambling spree that lasted years, and cost them their inheritance. They write, "We were on our own in a remarkable new way, and we were not ready."

Retired CIA intelligence officer, Antonio J. Mendex was the agency's Chief of Disguise. He retired in 1990. In his 25 year career with the agency, he participated in many missions. In 1980 he helped six American diplomats escape from Tehran. Masquerading as a movie producer, he entered Iran supposedly to scout locations for a science-fiction movie. He then coached the diplomats to pose as the film crew, allowing them to leave the country. His new book is "The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA." (William and Morrow Company).

Producer Rick Schmidlin. He's reconstructed the masterpiece 1924 silent film "Greed" by director Erich von Stroheim, which has been considered the "Holy Grail" of lost films. The American Film Institute deemed it number one on it's list of the Ten Most Wanted Lost Films. The director's first cut of the film was over nine hours long; he then cut it down to be released as a four and 1/2 hour, two-part film. However, the studio insisted on a shorter cut and the final edit was two hours. None of the original cut footage was saved.

Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton is an expert on cult groups. His new book is about the Japanese cult group that released sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subways: "Destroying the World to Save It: Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence, and the New Global Terrorism" (Metropolitan Books).

Film writer and director Kevin Smith. His controversial new independent film "Dogma" is a comedy/parable about faith and the Catholic Church. It stars Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, and George Carlin. Smith also wrote and directed the films "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy."

The Manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Torre. He just clinched his third World Series as the manager of the Yankees. Torre is the author of the new book, "Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success" (Hyperion).