Terry Gross

Alibhai-Brown describes her family's experience as Asians in Uganda in her autobiography "No Place Like Home." (Virago Press) Alibhai-Brown's family, like many others, was forced out of East Africa by president and military leader Idi Amin, twenty-five years ago. Alibhai-Brown moved to England and earned an degree in English at Oxford. Her freelance work is now published in the "Guardian," the "Observer," and the "Independent."

Berliner has focused much of his work on the dynamics of families. His newest film "Nobody's Business" is a documentary about his father, Oscar Berliner. This critically acclaimed film reveals the ongoing conflict between Alan Berliner, who obstinately works to complete the film, and his father, who is scornful of the project. It will premiere on PBS on June 3, as a part of the Tenth anniversary season of "Point Of View."

The novelist, journalist and columnist has written seven novels, including "Flesh and Blood," and "Loving Women." He was editor-in-chief at the New York Post. His 1994 memoir of the years he spent drinking, is "A Drinking Life: A Memoir." Hamill quit drinking twenty years ago. His newest novel is "Snow In August" (Little, Brown & Co.) (Rebroadcast from 1/19/94)

Over the past four decades, Mailer's evolved into one of America's most important, and at times most flamboyant, writers. Terry talked with him in 1991 after the publication of his novel "Harlot's Ghost." His newest novel is "The Gospel According to the Son" (Random House) (REBROADCAST from 10/8/91)

Priscilla Hayner, a Senior Fellow at the World Policy Institute, New School for Social Research, has been studying truth commissions. She is the author of numerous articles on the subject and is now working to complete a book. She will discuss the importance of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Author Mark Behr talks about his experience spying on his peers as a college student for the South African government and his subsequent public confession of his actions. His novel "The Smell of Apples" (Picador USA) is the story of a young boy growing up in South Africa at the time of apartheid and it explains how a person could be convinced that apartheid is a morally legitimate form of government.

Radio producer David Isay and reporters LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman. The new book "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago," (Scribner) is compiled from interviews by Jones and Newman conducted at the Ida B. Wells housing project in Chicago, where they live. These are the same two boys who worked with Isay on the acclaimed documentaries, "Ghetto Life 101" and "Remorse: the 14 stories of Eric Morse."

Bill Ayers is probably best known as a leader of the 1960's radical group the Weatherman. It was the militant arm of the Students for Democratic Society movement. But now Ayers focuses his efforts to reform the nation's schools and its juvenile court system. His latest book "A Kind and Just Parent" (Beacon Press) is a close look at Chicago's Juvenile Court system. Ayers is a professor at University of Illinois at Chicago.

To commemorate Memorial Day, we feature a concert and interview with singer Rosemary Clooney taped before a live audience in San Francisco, January 18th, as part of the City Arts & Lectures series. Clooney sings some of her best known songs, accompanied by a quintet directed by John Oddo. She also talks with Terry about her life. Her 1996 album "Dedicated to Nelson" (a tribute to Nelson Riddle) was nominated for a Grammy. Her new album is entitled "Mothers and Daughters" (Concord Jazz.) (REBROADCAST from 2/11/97)

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the summer season -- time to pick out those beach side books. One name on many people's reading list will be John Grisham - a name synonomous with the legal thriller. The prolific writer has seven novels to his credit. His eighth and newest is "The Partner." (Doubleday) He recently returned to practicing law. Grisham spoke to Terry about writing and lawyering. (REBROADCAST from 2/27/97)