Daniel Jonah Goldhagen is the author of the controversial book "Hitler's Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust." He offers evidence that ordinary Germans knowingly cooperated in the Holocaust, that they were motivated by anti-Semitism, not by economic hardship, coercion, or psychological pressures, as usually put forth by historians. Goldhagen is Associate Professor of Government and Social Studies at Harvard University.
Journalist Stan Sesser is a former staff writer for the New Yorker and the senior fellow of the Human Rights Center at the University of California at Berkeley. He's been following the imminent takeover of the British-ruled Hong Kong by the Chinese government. He says while Hong Kong will most likely preserve its economic freedom, the July 1 takeover calls into question the future of its democratic government and civil-liberties laws.
Hecht's stories have appeared in "Harper's" and "The New Yorker." All of the stories in her debut collection "Do the Windows Open?" were first published in the "The New Yorker." The book features one narrator: a married, childless, 40-something photographer who takes pictures of flowers in decline. One reviewer writes, "the stories are breathtakingly funny. . . like other classic deadpan talkers. . . she doesn't even seem to realize how funny she is."
Henry was also screenwriter for the popular film "Get Smart" with Mel Brooks, "Catch-22," "What's Up Doc," and other films. He also co-wrote the script for the 1967 film "The Graduate" and played the role of the hotel clerk. It is now 30 years later and an anniversary presentation of the film is being held at the New York Film Forum February 14th to the 27th. (This interview was held before an audience at the Film Forum, Feb 13th).
Justin Kaplan and Anne Bernays are the authors of the new book, "The Language of Names: What We Call Ourselves and Why It Matters." Both have written previous books: Ms. Bernays is the author of eight novels, including the award-winning "Growing Up Rich" and "Professor Romeo," as well as numerous short stories. Mr. Kaplan won a Pulitzer Prize for his biography, "Mr. Clemens and Mark Twain." He's also the General Editor of Barlett's Familiar Quotations.
Film critic John Powers reviews the new David Lynch film, "Lost Highway." Powers says it's a lesser Lynch film -- but still better than almost any other movie out now.
Gates is the W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Humanities and chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies at Harvard University as well as a staff writer for "The New Yorker." In his new book, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man," Gates records the thoughts of some of society's most revered black American men. The men debate the current state of black men and the difficulties of race and gender relations in American society.
Fred & Kim Goldman, father and and sister of the late Ron Goldman, who was murdered in June 1994. They were present throughout the criminal trial against O.J. Simpson, who was charged with the crime, and recently won their case against him at the civil trial. In a new book "His Name is Ron: Our Search for Justice," the family recounts their experiences at the criminal trial and shares their memories of Ron Goldman.
Farrow has a new memoir called "What Falls Away." She's the daughter of actress Maureen O'Sullivan and writer John Farrow. As a young actress she starred in "Peyton Place" and "Rosemary's Baby." She was married to Frank Sinatra and then Andre Previn, and has 14 children, many of them adopted. Her 12-year relationship with Woody Allen ended with his affair with Farrow's adopted daughter Soon-Yi.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the re-issued CD "New and Old Gospel" by Jackie McLean. It was a collaboration with Ornette Coleman--who played trumpet during the session--and originally recorded in 1967.
Alda was the star of the TV show M*A*S*H, for which he won Emmys for acting, writing, and directing. He's in Woody Allen's latest "Everyone Says I Love You," and hosts Scientific American Frontiers on PBS.
Critic Milo Miles reviews the new collection by the Almanac Singers, an early urban folk group that included Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Pete Hawes, Millard Lampell and Pete Seeger. The CD is "The Almanac Singers: Their Complete General Recordings" (on MCA).
Graham's father owned "the Post" in 1933 and later her husband, Phil Graham, took over. Following her husband's suicide in 1963, Graham became publisher, knowing little about the managerial or journalistic aspects of the job. But, learning while she worked, she transformed the paper into one of the country's most respected newspapers. "The Post" broke the Watergate scandal and published the Pentagon Papers against a federal judge's ruling. Graham also became chairman and CEO of the Washington Post Media company.
Ousland was the first man to complete a solo expedition to both the North and South Poles. In November of 1996 he began a solo crossing of the Antarctic continent. He reached his destination on January 17, 1997. The 64-day trek covered 1,764 miles and was made unsupported, meaning Ousland carried all the necessary supplies for the journey.
Korn writes about health and medical issues for "Self," "the Chicago Tribune Magazine," and other publications. He has a new book "Lovejoy: A Year in the Life of an Abortion Clinic," which tells of the protests and controversy surrounding the Lovejoy Surgicenter, an abortion clinic in Portland, Oregon.
