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Terry Gross at her microphone in 2018

Terry Gross

Terry Gross is the host and an executive producer of Fresh Air, the daily program of interviews and reviews. It is produced at WHYY in Philadelphia, where Gross began hosting the show in 1975, when it was broadcast only locally. She was awarded a National Humanities Medal from President Obama in 2016. Fresh Air with Terry Gross received a Peabody Award in 1994 for its “probing questions, revelatory interviews and unusual insight.” America Women in Radio and Television presented her with a Gracie Award in 1999 in the category of National Network Radio Personality. In 2003, she received the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Edward R. Murrow Award for her “outstanding contributions to public radio” and for advancing the “growth, quality and positive image of radio.” Gross is the author of All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists, published by Hyperion in 2004. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and received a bachelor’s degree in English and M.Ed. in communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She began her radio career in 1973 at public radio station WBFO in Buffalo, NY.

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16:45

"The Voice of Kuwait" Editor Prepares to Go Home

From London, Dr. Muhammad Al-Rumayhi, editor of the "Voice of Kuwait," a paper of the resistance. Ten days after the Iraqis invaded Kuwait, they started publishing leaflets from London. Since then, the Voice of Kuwait has been distributed to Kuwaitis living in exile throughout the Middle East. Al-Rumayhi leaves today to return to his home country.

22:46

A Civilian in Baghdad; The Logistics of Ending the War

Terry features two guests in this segment.

First, Amitav Ghosh is an Indian writer and anthropologist. Terry talks to him about an essay he wrote in the January issue of the literary magazine Granta called "An Egyptian in Baghdad." One of his friends went to work in Iraq several years ago; that friend was still in Baghdad when the war started. Ghosh felt that much of the press about the war was depersonalized, and wanted to write about the life of one person caught up in the conflict.

21:16

Journalist David Halberstam on "The Next Century"

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer is a former Vietnam War correspondent. In his new book "The Next Century," he contends that the 20th century is the end of America's economic dominance in the world. He questions the meaning of a victory in the Gulf when there are so many problems at home that we've delayed and ignored.

Interview
08:00

The Show Goes on While Missiles Fall

Terry talks with the great violinist Isaac Stern. Last week he was performing a concert in Israel when the sirens went off signaling a missle attack. The audience put on their gas masks, and the orchestra left the stage. But Stern stayed and continued to play.

Interview
16:40

How Families at Home Cope with Loved Ones at War

Marian Faye Novak was pregnant when her husband, David, a Marine, was sent to Vietnam. Her daughter, Jeannie is now an army officer serving in the Gulf war. We talk with Marian about her new memoir about the Vietnam War, Lonely Girls with Burning Eyes, and her feelings today about her daughter's military service. We also talk with David about what it's like for him to be waiting at the other end.

11:23

How the U.S. Deals with the Growing Number of Iraqi P.O.W.s

Retired Colonel Howard Levie is Professor Emeritus of Law, St. Louis University. He's written a study about prisoners of war, "Prisoners of War in International Armed Conflict." In light of the growing number of Iraqi soldiers surrendering, he talk to Terry about the history of P.O.W.s and the laws governing their treatment.

Interview
22:13

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Leader Joseph Shabalala

Ladysmith Black Mambazo came to America's attention following their performances on Paul Simon's album, "Graceland." The ensemble's new album is called "Two Worlds, One Heart." Frontman Joseph Shabalala talks to Terry about his early life and rise to fame.

Interview
14:32

The Gulf War on the Brink of Change

In the next day, there may be a cease-fire in Iraq, or a ground war could begin. James Adams, the defense correspondent for The Sunday Times of London, talks about the mood at the Pentagon in light of proposed negotiations.

Interview

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