Terry Gross

Writer D. Keith Mano. He often combines the spiritual and the profane in his writing.

Investigative sportswriter John Feinstein (FINE-steen) His new book is "Hard Courts: Real Life on the Professional Tennis Tours," looks at the inner workings of professional tennis. He traveled the circuit during 1990 and 1991. Feinstein has written for "The Washington Post," "Sports Illustrated," and other publications and he's also a commentator for NPR. (published by Villard Books). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer Stephen Pizzo. Pizzo's the co-author of "Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans." Last month he testified before Congress, saying that the proposed further deregulation of the banks will lead to a further banking crisis. He'll discuss that testimony today. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Food writer Edward Behr (pronounced "bear"). Behr writes, illustrates, and publishes the quarterly newsletter, "The Art of Eating." In each issue, Behr writes in-depth, personal essays about food and cuisine. The newsletter's subscription is small, but it's read by a large number of the top names in the food business. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Edward Fiske, the education correspondent for the New York Times. Fiske's new book is called "Smart Schools, Smart Kids: Why Do Some Schools Work?" In it, Fiske looks at the decline of the American school system, and he examines some of the grass-roots programs that are reversing that trend. (It's published by Simon and Schuster). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

We look at the recent nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, with Duke University law professor Walter Dellinger. Dellinger's written several articles on how the nomination process has evolved throughout the nation's history. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Screenwriter and novelist Bruce Wagner. He wrote the screenplays for "Nightmare on Elm Street 3," and "Scenes from The Class Struggle in Beverly Hills." He's just come out with his first novel, a black comedy, "Force Majeure." It's a collection of his "Bud Wiggins" stories. Wiggins is a struggling screenwriter, actor, and some time chauffeur who is "circling the drain." (published by Random House). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Former hostage David Jacobsen. In 1985 he was abducted in Beirut where he was director of the American University of Beirut's Medical Center and was held for 17 months. He was held captive along with Terry Anderson, Tom Sutherland, Ben Weir, and Martin Jenco. He's written about it in, "Hostage: My Nightmare in Beirut." (Published by Donald I. Fine, Inc.) (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer Sam Fussell. Fussell was scared of living in the big city, so he decided he'd look like less of a target if he took up body building. He chronicles his four year transformation in his book, "Muscle: Confessions of an Unlikely Body Builder." (REBROADCAST. ORIGINAL DATE 5/15/91). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer Robert Bausch. Bausch's new novel, "Almighty Me," is the story of an average guy who, for one year, is given the powers of God. (It's published by Houghton Mifflin). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)