Terry Gross

Last year, Gates uncovered a manuscript of a novel purportedly written in the 1850s by an African American woman who had been a slave. It is the first known work of its kind and has great historical and literary significance. The Bondwomans Narrative by Hannah Crafts, edited by Henry Louis Gates, has just been published (Warner Books). Well talk with Gates about the process of finding, authenticating and publishing the novel. Gates is the W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Humanities and chair of the Department of African-American Studies at Harvard University.

He wrote and starred in his films which include the hipster comedy Swingers and Made (which he also directed). In each film he teamed up with fellow actor and friend Vince Vaughn. Recently he also starred in the romantic comedy Love and Sex. His latest project is a new talk show series Dinner For Five which he created and hosts for the Independent Film Channel

David Blumenfeld served as rabbi for 12 years in Glen Cove, New York. He began his career as a U.S. Army chaplain. In the eighties he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Hebraic Studies at Long Island University. Currently, he is the Director of Department Services to Affiliated Congregations at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.