Terry Gross

Commentator David Gurevitz examines Soviet culture in the wake of the end of the Cold War.

Filmmaker James Toback. His films include "The Gambler," "Love and Money," and "The Pick Up Artist." His most recent film, "The Big Bang," will be shown on the public television series P.O.V. (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast May 22, 1990).

Commentator Patricia McLaughlin ("mik-loff-lin") examines "Martha Stewart Living," a new magazine from the high priestess of the dinner party.

Ballerina Suzanne Farrell. She spent over twenty years with the New York City Ballet, and George Balanchine choreographed many ballets for her. Farrell's autobiography is "Holding on to the Air" (Simon & Schuster). (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast September 25, 1990).

We look at the connection between the Israeli and U.S. intelligence communities.
We first talk with journalists Andrew and Leslie Cockburn. Their new book, "Dangerous Liaison," alleges the two nations relationship extends far beyond the Mideast, into areas like the war against drugs, the South African nuclear weapons program, and the Contras. (The book's published by Harper Collins).
We also talk with Benny Morris, co

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).

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

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.

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).