Terry Gross

Chicago Tribune science writer Ronald Kotulak talks with Terry about his new book "Inside the Brain: Revolutionary Discoveries of How the Mind Works." It is published by Andrews and McMeel. Kotulak has interviewed more than 300 of the leading researchers and reveals the latest theories on how the brain thinks. Kotulak received the Pulitzer Prize for two related newspaper series on brain research: "Unravelling the Mysteries of the Brain" and "Roots of Violence."

The Nobel Prize winner and activist talks with Terry about his newest book "The Open Sore of a Continent: A Personal Narrative of the Nigerian Crisis." It's been nearly a year since the Nigerian military government executed dissident writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. The killing sparked international protests that today has left Nigeria politically isolated. The events that led up to the execution in November 1995 mark Nigeria's decline from a thriving post-colonial state to its present military dictatorship.

Wuhl talks with Terry about his new HBO comedy series "Arli$$." It is about the life of Arliss Michaels, a high powered Los Angeles sports agent. The cable sitcom began airing last month and airs Wednesday nights. Wuhl also played Larry in "Bull Durham," Alex Knox the investigative reporter in the movie "Batman," and D.J. Marty Driewitz in the film "Good Morning Vietnam."

Martin talks with Terry Gross about his life on stage. Next month, his new book "Picasso at The Lapin Agile and Other Plays" will be published by Grove Press. It contains one full length play and three one-acts. Martin is also author of a collection of short stories, "Cruel Shoes." His screenwriting credits include "L.A.

Washington Post reporter Leon Dash won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his eight part series "Rosa Lee's Story." He has turned that into the new book ,"Rosa Lee: A Mother and Her Family in Urban America." It shows Lee's day to day life in one of Washington D.C.'s poorest neighborhoods.

Writer and former prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin talks to Terry about new revelations related to the O.J. Simpson criminal trial, which ended last October. Simpson now faces a civil trial. Toobin says O.J. failed a lie detector test and was told what the verdict was before it was announced. Toobin's new book is "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson."

Former caseworker in New York City's Emergency Children's Services, Marc Parent. It was Parent's job to investigate cases of abused children during the evening and nighttime hours. He's written a new memoir about his experiences, called "Turning Stones: My Days and Nights with Children at Risk." Kirkus Reviews writes, "At once heart-wrenching and heart-lifting is this record of four years spent riding to the rescue of abused and neglected children."

Former Reagan advisor and Bush budget director, Richard Darman has written the book "Who's In Control?: Polar Politics and the Sensible Center," from Simon and Schuster. As Budget Director under President Bush, Darman pressured Bush to approve a tax increase. This broke Bush's promise "Read My Lips, No New Taxes." Terry talks to Darman about the tax increase, this year's Presidential elections, and about why Darmen thinks both parties are too polarized today to be effective.

Gladys Knight began her singing career at age 4 and went on to lead one of the most successful vocal soul groups in America, Gladys Knight and The Pips. The group stayed together for 39 years before disbanding. The group's most notable songs include "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Neither One of Us," and Midnight Train to Georgia." Knight has launched a solo career since. Terry interviewed Knight before a live audience in San Francisco earlier this year.

Merald "Bubba" Knight is a founding member of Gladys Knight and the Pips. He is Gladys' brother. Terry talked with Bubba about his years as one of the Pips -- one of the longest established soul vocal groups, spanning four decades.