Terry Gross

South African writer Diana Russell. Russell has written several books on subjects such as rape and sexual abuse against women. Russell's new book, "Lives of Courage," profiles 24 women in South Africa who have fought against apartheid. The book also examines sex issues in South Africa. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

John F. Sears, author of "Sacred Places: American Tourist Attractions in the Nineteenth Century." Sears went back to magazines, fiction and painting of the 19th century to find out when and why tourism developed in this country. He says that natural wonders like Niagara Falls and Yellowstone were a substitute for the cathedrals of Europe, and that tourism gave Americans a way to shape their national identity. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and biographer Ted Morgan. His latest book is "An Uncertain Hour: The French, the Germans, the Jews, the Klaus Barbie Trial, and the City of Lyon, 1940-1945." It's an account of the recent trial in France of fugitive war criminal Klaus Barbie. But the story has personal significance to Ted Morgan as well. He was born in France and lived there as a child when the Germans invaded. His father, a pilot with the Free French forces, was killed while on a bombing mission. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Reporter John Barry. He's the author of "The Ambition and the Power," the new book about the political downfall of House Speaker Jim Wright. Wright gave Barry access to his private meetings and closed door wheeling and dealing. Barry's book reveals those events, and examines the day to day workings of Congress.

Police artist Douglas P. Hinkle. Hinkle spent seven years as a forensic artist with the Athens, Ohio police department. He's written a book, called "Faces of Crime," about his experiences, and about the inexact science of obtaining criminal descriptions. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Polish born film director Jerzy Skolimowski (YER-zee skul-ah-MOSS-skee). His films include "The Shout" with John Hurt, and "Moonlighting" with Jeremy Irons. His most recent film is "Torrents of Spring" based on the novel by Ivan Turgenev and starring Timothy Hutton, Nastassja Kinski, and Valerie Golino. The film opens nationwide January 26. Skolimowski has also acted. He played the evil KGB agent in the movie "White Nights." (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Author Linda P. Brown is co-author of "Birthbond: Reunions between Birthparents and Adoptees--What happens After." In the 1960's BROWN gave up her own daughter for adoption. The book is based on interviews with 30 birthmothers -- from a variety of backgrounds -- who were reunited with their adult children. And it looks at the challenges these mothers face after the reunion. "Birthbond" is published by New Horizon Press, Far Hills, N.J. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore. In his first-ever film, "Roger & Me," Moore returns to his home town of Flint, Michigan to document what happened when General Motors laid of 35,000 workers there. And he begins a Quixote-like quest to meet with GM Chairman Roger Smith, following him to Detroit, and New York.

Novelist Anne Lamott. Her latest novel, "All New People", is an account of growing up in a Northern California railroad town in the midst of the cultural dislocations of the 1960's. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Author Daniel Callahan. He is an expert on medical ethics whose latest book is "What Kind of Life: The Limits of Medical Progress." The book questions the assumption that everyone should receive the most life sustaining medical care available. According to Callahan, we need to change our thinking about health and illness and focus on the quality of life rather than the extension of life. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)