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D. Keith Mano Explores Christianity and Sex in His New Novel.

Writer D. Keith Mano. He often combines the spiritual and the profane in his writing. He's best known for his novels, "Bishop's Progress," "War is Heaven," "The Proselytizer," and "Take Five," all having to do with the themes of Christianity, and for his columns in the "National Review," and "Oui," as well as his reporting for "Playboy." He once lived as a transvestite for "Playboy." His new novel is a thriller, "Topless," about a priest who returns to his home town to take care of the family restaurant. It turns out that the restaurant is a topless one, and the dancers are getting murdered. MANO spent years of research on the novel, and conducted over 300 interviews. ("Topless" is published by Random House). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

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Other segments from the episode on August 16, 1991

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 16, 1991: Interview with D. Keith Mano; Interview with John Feinstein; Review of Chris Whitley's album "Living with the Law."
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16:14

Behind the Scenes View of Professional Tennis.

Investigative sportswriter John Feinstein (FINE-steen) His new book is "Hard Courts: Real Life on the Professional Tennis Tours," looks at the inner workings of professional tennis. He traveled the circuit during 1990 and 1991. Feinstein has written for "The Washington Post," "Sports Illustrated," and other publications and he's also a commentator for NPR. (published by Villard Books). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

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04:43

An Exceptional Debut.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Living With The Law," the new album from singer and songwriter Chris Whitley.

Review

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04:30

The Tension Between Religion and Sin Explored in Mystery Novel.

Book critic John Leonard reviews, "Topless: a Novel" by D. Keith Mano, a thriller about a young priest who returns to his former New York neighborhood to help manage the family business. The family's business turns out to be a topless bar and the "girls" there begin to get murdered. Mano's other books include, "Bishop's Progress," "War is Heaven," and "Take Five." ("Topless" is published by Random House.)

Review
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16:39

Canadian Author Evelyn Lau

In 1989, Lau became a best-selling author with her first book: Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid, a memoir of her years on the streets as a suicidal drug addicted teenage prostitute. She also wrote two books of her poetry: You Are Not Who You Claim and Oedipal Dreams. Her latest is a collection of short stories titled Fresh Girls and Other Stories. The 23 year old writer lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Interview

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34:41

Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Journalist ANNIE LOWREY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers economic policy. Her new book is The Time Tax: How the Government Wastes Our Time, and How to Fix It. She argues that the red tape in American life isn't an accident. It's a policy choice, one that determines who gets food assistance, health care, even the ability to vote. Her previous book is Give People Money about universal basic income. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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23:07

'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn says no thanks to a world dictated by groupthink

(2.) Actor RHEA SEEHORN<RAY Seehorn>. The former co-star of “Better Call Saul” is nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in “Pluribus,” the Apple TV series created by Vince Gilligan. Terry Gross spoke with RHEA SEEHORN last year about the “Pluribus”. “Pluribus” is nominated for eighteen Emmys, including one for SEEHORN as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Emmys are scheduled for September 14th. (THIS INTERVIEW ORIGINALLY AIRED 12.09.2025)

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