Terry Gross

Since today is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, we asked Robin Becker to read her poem Shopping. It’s about some of the darker reasons we head to the stores. She teaches poetry writing at Pennsylvania State University.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews Casino.

Corby Kummer has been called the Dean of food writers in America. As one of the most respected food journalists, he writes for The New York Times Magazine, New York and Food and Wine. In addition he also a senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly. Kummer talks about his newest book The Joy of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying (Chapters Publishing Ltd 1995) He talks about the reasons behind America’s love affair with gourmet coffees and some tips on how to make a good cup. Kummer lives in Boston, Mass.

Larry McMurtry is considered one of Texas most prominent fiction writers even though he has not lived in that state for nearly two decades. Over his career, he has written 19 novels...including the 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning book Lonesome Dove.. His newest Dead Man’s Walk (Simon & Schuster 1995) takes readers to the early days of his Lonesome Dove heroes Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Other books by McMurtry include: Streets of Laredo (sequel to Lonesome Dove), Terms of Endearment and The Last Picture Show.

New York Times Reporter Roger Cohen updates us on today's announced peace agreement between the warring factions in the former Yugoslavia. Cohen has extensively covered the war from Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia. President Clinton announced today that the three sides have agreed to preserve Bosnia within its current borders -- but divide it into two republics under one national government.

American folk singer Rosalie Sorrels may not be wildly famous but since the 1960s she's developed a near cult like following. Her admirers describe Sorrels as someone who has lived the life she now sings about. In fact, she was immortalized in a song by Nanci Griffith describing Sorrels as "Salt of the earth.....with a voice like wine." .Her newest CD is "Borderline Heart" by Green Linnet Records Inc. The book "Way Out in Idaho" is a collection of her poems, songs and recipes.

Writer Joe Kane talks about his new book Savages (Knopf 1995) It’s his first hand account on the confrontations between Amazonian warriors and multi-national oil companies, environmentalists and missionaries. Kane writes about the Huaorani tribe’s fight for its culture and environment. Kane’s earlier book Running the Amazon was a 1989 New York Times best-seller. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane).

Film Critic Steve Vineberg reviews the latest James Bond film GoldenEye. It features the newest 007, Pierce Brosnan.

An inside account of the world of high-fashion. Nina Blanchard is founder of Nina Blanchard Agency which is considered one of nation’s most prestigious modeling agencies. Blanchard herself discovered supermodel Cheryl Tiegs. She’s been called The Beauty Broker. She has written a novel based on the fashion world The Look, (Dutton 1995) Blanchard talks about what it takes to be a model, the pressures they’re under and why she herself finally had enough.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie "The American President." It was produced and directed by Rob Reiner and stars Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. Also featured are Martin Sheen, Richard Dreyfuss and Michael J. Fox.