Terry Gross

Historian Glenda Riley. Riley's new book, "Divorce: An American Tradition," looks at the long history of divorce. Among the book's revelations: the first divorce in America happened way back in 1639 (on grounds of bigamy) and that in 1880 as many as one in 16 marriages ended in divorce. (The book's published by Oxford university Press).

Terry talks about crime watch groups with:
(1) Former chief justice and current judge on West Virginia's Supreme Court, Richard Neely. His new book, "Take Back Your Neighborhood," is about how ordinary citizens throughout the country have come together to protect their communities.
(2) Founder of the Mt. Airy Crime Watch Group in Philadelphia, Mark Hartsfield Two years ago he co-founded the group after witnessing and stopping crime in his neighborhood.

First-time film director John Singleton. His new film is "Boyz N the Hood," which is set in South Central L.A. where Singleton grew up. A number of theatres across the country have cancelled the showing of "Boyz N the Hood," because of violent outbreaks at or near theatres where its been shown. Over 30 people have been injured and one killed. But the film itself is plea to stop the violence and killing.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "The Doctor," the new film starring William Hurt, about a doctor who gets cancer.

Jazz French horn player Willie Ruff. Ruff's new autobiography, "A Call to Assembly," chronicles his childhood in the South, his enlistment in the army in 1946, his gaining admission to Yale, and his decision to pass on a career in classical music and follow a life in jazz. (It's published by Viking).

Writer David Gurevitz (GIR-ah-vich) gives us his perspective as a Soviet emigre on the new revisions that Gorbachev is suggesting for the Soviet Union. He's the author of "From Lenin to Lennon," a memoir about growing up in Russia during the 60s.

Journalists Katie Hafner and John Markoff Their new book "Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier" (Simon & Schuster) is about the growing importance of computer networks, and the growing importance of computer crime.

South African labor leader Emma Mashinini. Mashinini was Secretary of the Commercial, Catering, and Allied Workers Union of South Africa, one of South Africa's biggest trade unions, and was arrested and detained for six months. Mashinini's autobiography, "Strikes Have Followed Me All My Life," has just been published. (by Routledge).

Poet Philip Levine. Levine's considered one of this country's preeminent poet, but before he turned to poetry he put in years working factory jobs. The images of those early days continue to influence his writings. Levine's latest collection of poems is called "What Work Is." (It's published by Knopf).

Comedian and actor Bill Murray. Murray first came to prominence as a cast member of "Saturday Night Live." He then went on to appear in movies such as "Ghostbusters," "Caddyshack," "Meatballs," "Stripes," and "Quick Change." His latest role is in the comedy, "What About Bob?"