Book critic John Leonard reviews a new book about the decline of the labor movement, "Which Side are you on: Trying to be for Labor When its flat on its back," by Thomas Geoghegan.
Writer Carole Ione. She's written a new memoir of her foremothers, "Pride of the Family: Four Generations of American Women of Color." (Published by Summit Books). It tells the stories of her mother, a journalist, her great-auntie Sistonie, one of the first black women doctors in Washington, D.C., her grandmother Be-Be a vaudeville dancer and later soul food restaurant owner, and her great-grand-mother, Frances Anne "Frank" Rollin Whipper.
Biographer Diane Wood Middlebrook. She's written a controversial new book about the troubled writer Anne Sexton. The controversy surrounds Middlebrook's source material: she had access to transcripts of Sexton's psychiatric sessions with the approval of Sexton's daughter and psychiatrist. Sexton killed herself in 1974. She began writing poetry in 1956 following a suicidal breakdown and after her therapist suggested she try writing poetry. ("Anne Sexton: A Biography," published by Houghton Mifflin).
Commentator, and teacher, Maureen Corrigan is gearing up for another semester. She talks about one of the ways she does that, by becoming a student again.
Actor and director Kenneth Branagh (rhymes with "Savannah"). His new movie, "Dead Again," is a psychological thriller starring Branagh and his real-life wife, Emma Thompson. In 1989, Branagh made a film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry the Fifth," with himself in the title role. That movie was nominated for an Oscar as best film. Branagh studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as acting, managing, and directing other groups and working on several BBC productions.
Saxophonist David Sanborn. Sanborn has a new album, called "Another Hand." He also has a syndicated radio show heard on more than 200 stations, and he was the host of the ground-breaking TV show, "Night Music."
Writer and editor Ben Sonnenberg, Junior. Sonnenberg was born into one of New York City's most prominent families. He went on to be a poet and playwright, and he started the influential literary magazine, "Grand Street." Sonnenberg's new memoir, "Lost Property," talks about those events, and about his being stricken with multiple sclerosis. (The book's published by Summit Books).
We talk with David Fanning, the executive director of public television's "Frontline" series. Frontline's now in its 10th year of showing documentaries and investigative reporting pieces. The show continues to win journalism awards (ten Emmys, four duPont Columbia Awards, and three Peabody Awards). It also continues to generate controversy.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).
Alto Saxophonist Vernard Johnson. He's best known for his Gospel playing, performing with preachers like, E.V. Hill, Billy Graham, and Bishop L. H. Ford. His saxophone was considered too raucous for the Gospel circuit when he began playing there in the mid-60's, but eventually he became a favorite on the evangelical circuit.
Professor of History at Harvard, Richad Pipes. He's written over ten books on the Soviet Union. Including, "The Formation of the Soviet Union," published in 1957 and "The Russian Revolution," published last year. He talks with Terry about the formation of the Soviet Union, so that we can understand the breaking up of the empire.
Political scientist professor William Taubman discusses who wields power in the Soviet Union, in the wake of the past week's events. Taubman had an editorial this weekend in the New York Times saying that the time has come for Mikhail Gorbachev to step down. (Taubman teaches at Amherst College, and is currently working on a biography of Nikita Khrushchev).
Baritone Sanford Sylvan. He portrayed Zhou Enlai in John Adams' "Nixon in China." He's a regular in Peter Sellars' repertory company, having played in "The Marriage of Figaro," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." He's playing the title role in Adams's "Death of Klinghoffer," which has its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September. He also has his first solo record, "Beloved That Pilgrimage," on which he is accompanied by pianist, David Breitman. (on the Nonesuch label).
Actress Colleen Dewhurst died last night in New York. We remember her with an excerpt from a November 1987 interview with Terry. (Rebroadcast of 11/06/1987)
