Terry Gross

Writer Kurt Vonnegut died Wednesday at the age of 84. His most famous book was the anti-war novel Slaughterhouse-Five; based on Vonnegut's own experiences in World War II, the book became a cultural touchstone at the height of popular protest against the war in Vietnam. In this archived interview, he talks to Terry Gross about writing, censorship, and the experience of war. Rebroadcast from May 13, 1986

You may know Irish actor Gabriel Byrne from The Usual Suspects, or from Miller's Crossing, or from Into the West — a film he helped produce, as well as perform in. But before finding his way into acting in his late 20s, he tried his hand at archeology, teaching and even short-order cooking. His new movie is Jindabyne.

Journalist Kenneth Weiss writes for the Los Angeles Times, where he has covered the California coast and the oceans for five years. His five-part series "Altered Oceans," written with Usha Lee McFarling, explores how pollution has changed the basic chemistry of the oceans, raising questions about long-term marine health. The series recently won a George Polk Award.