Terry Gross

Historian Jon Wiener spent 14 years fighting to gain access to the FBI’s secret files on former Beatle John Lennon. Wiener’s Freedom of Information case went all the way to the Supreme Court before the FBI decided to settle. His new book “Gimme Some Truth” (University of California Press) outlines and reproduces the most important pages of the file, revealing that the Nixon administration plotted to deport Lennon in 1972 and silence him as a voice of the anti-war movement.

Dr. Scott Fishman, an expert in pain and pain relief, talks about his book, "The War on Pain: How breakthroughs in the new field of pain medicine are turning the tide against suffering"(Harper Collins). Fishman is the newly appointed chief of the division of pain medicine and associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of California, Davis.

Prize winning author John Irving. He's turned his novel, "The Cider House Rules," into a movie. Irving writes about the Cider House Rules and the process of turning it into a screenplay, in "My Movie Business, A Memoir (Random House). Irving is the author of 9 novels, including "The World According to Garp," "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and "Hotel New Hampshire."

Actor/Comedian Bill Murray. He got rave reviews for his performance in last year’s Rushmore. Murray began his career in Chicago with the improv troupe Second City. He joined Saturday Night Live in its second season. After leaving SNL, he starred in such films as "Meatballs," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters," "Caddy Shack," "What About Bob?" "Groundhog Day." A special DVD edition of Rushmore was just released. REBROADCAST from 2/03/99)

Correspondent from the New York Times Moscow bureau, Celestine Bohlen (CELL-es-teen BO-lin). She'll discuss the role of the new acting Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the conflict. Bohlen will also talk about the reaction of Russian citizens to the war.

Moscow Bureau chief for the New York Times, Michael Gordon. He's been covering the war in Chechnya. The New York Times is one of only two western news organizations allowed in Chechnya by the Russian military. Gordon also covered the Gulf war and the war in Kosovo, and is co-author of the book "The Generals' War" about the Gulf War.

Director, screenwriter, and producer Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson’s new film is called Magnolia. The 29-year-old filmmaker also wrote and directed the movies Boogie Nights and Hard Eight. Magnolia stars Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, and Julianne Moore.

Native American musician and songwriter Keith Secola. The music of Secola and his group, the Wild Band of Indians, is a hybrid of Rock, Folk and Tribal musics. Secola became a cult hero after the release of the contemporary Native anthem, ”Indian Cars.” Keith Secola and the Wild Band of Indians have a new CD called Fingermonkey

A rare interview with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. She's won fifteen Grammy awards and is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. The state of Michigan has proclaimed her voice a natural resource. Her hits include "Respect," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman." She's just written an autobiography with David Ritz, entitled "Aretha: From These Roots" (Villard Books). REBROADCAST FROM 10/11/99

Writer Paul Abbott. He created the mini-series "Touching Evil" which begins a new series on PBS’ Mystery. “Touching Evil” takes place at a fictional London based crime unit that specializes in serial killers and organized crime. Abbott also wrote the dramas "Crackers" and"Reckless". Abbott lives in Manchester, England. (REBROADCAST from 9/30/98)