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From Norway to Newfoundland.

Writer and adventurer Lawrence Millman. His new book, "Last Places," recounts Millman's journey along the old Viking route across the North Atlantic from Norway to Newfoundland. He traveled as primitively as possible, fought off dive-bombing skuas (pterodactyl-like birds with five-foot wingspans), stayed with an Eskimo hermit endowed with supernatural powers, and camped in some of the world's most pristine spots. His writing has been compared to Bruce Chatwin and Edward Hoagland. His other books include "Our Like Will Not Be There Again," a collection of stories from the far countryside west of Ireland, and "The Wrong-Handed Man," a collection of phantasmagoric folktales. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

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Other segments from the episode on January 23, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 23, 1990: Interview with Lawrence Millman; Commentary on the birth of country music; Interview with Leonard Koren; Review of the book "The Pencil: A History of…
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07:54

Country Music's First Boom.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the birth of the country music industry, during the early days of Fiddlin' John Carson, A.P. Carter and his wife, Sarah, and the Tenneva Ramblers.

Commentary
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10:22

"283 Useful Ideas from Japan."

Leonard Koren. He's written, "283 Useful Ideas From Japan," which lists innovative products and services in Japan. It includes such things as the two-headed public telephone, a combination sink/toilet, and capsule hotels. Koren has been an architect, graphic designer, and publisher. He works and lives in San Francisco and Tokyo. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

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03:42

An Engineering Miracle.

Book Critic John Leonard reviews the book, "The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance" by Henry Petroski.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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