Foreign Correspondent Stephen Handelman He spent nearly six years in the former Soviet Union as chief of the Moscow Bureau of the Toronto Star, where he covered the final years of the Soviet regime. His new book Comrade Criminal: Russia's New Mafiya (Yale) examines and uncovers the intricate networking of the post-Soviet criminal underworld. Handelman is also the author of Uncommon Kingdom. He is currently an associate fellow at Columbia University's Harriman Institute.
Mystery Writer R.D. Zimmerman (real name Robert Alexander). He is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, and has written mystery jigsaw puzzles as well as short mysteries that appeared on the backs of 15 million boxes of Total Cereal. His new book Red Trance (Morrow), is a Russian mystery of hypnotic detection. Zimmerman also talks about his business dealings in Russia, and the corruption he faced as a result.
Country singer Charlie Rich. He died, earlier this week, of a blood clot in his lung. Known as the "Silver Fox," (because of his premature gray hair) Rich got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s he reached his commercial peak with his country hits, "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors." (REBROADCAST FROM 9/3/92).
Craig Cuny son of Fred Cuny, the founding president of Intertect Relief and Reconstruction Corporation in Texas. Fred was on a humanitarian mission, conducting an assessment of Chechnya for the Open Society Institute. He has been missing since April 7th. Craig has spent the last three months searching for his father.
Reporter for New Yorker magazine David Remnick. He recently traveled to the Republic of Chechnya where he toured the devastation, talked to survivors and officials of the Russian Army and the Chechen Army. His article, "In Stalin's Wake," appears in this week's edition of New Yorker. He also covered the Soviet Union for The Washington Post from 1988-1990.
Activist Claudia Brenner, one of the prominent voices against anti-gay violence. Her new book Eight Bullets: One Woman's Story of Anti-Gay Violence, (Firebrand) which she co-wrote with Hannah Ashley, is a personal account of her lover's murder and its aftermath: her path to recovery and activism. Brenner is an architect who lives in upstate New York with her lesbian family.
Union leader Anthony Mazzocchi. He has been President of OCAW (Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union) Local 8-149; Vice-President of the Nassau-Suffolk CIO Council; and he was active in the legislative struggles of the 1960's and 1970's, including a key role in the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Mazzocchi's present position is Presidential Assistant of OCAW.
Writer William J. Murray. He was raised in the home of atheist and Marxist leader Madalyn Murray O' Hair. In 1963, at age 14, he became the focus of media attention when his mother took her anti-prayer campaign to the U.S. Supreme Court where they later banned school prayer. In 1980, Murray turned away from atheism and became a Christian. His new book Let Us Pray: A Plea for Prayer in Our Schools (Morrow) looks into his past and present religious beliefs. Murray has written other books including, My Life Without God, and The Church is Not for Perfect People.
Gay rights activist Candace Gingrich. She is the sister of Newt Gingrich, the Speaker of the House. Gingrich is the spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign Fund, the nation's largest gay and lesbian lobbying organization. She is presently on a 48 city tour as a part of the Human Rights Campaign Fund's National Coming Out Project.
Singer/Actor Herb Jeffries. In the late 1930's he became the first and only black singing cowboy on the silver screen. Then in the late 1940's he sang with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. At 83, Jeffries has recently recorded his western songs for the first time on an album - "The Bronze Buckaroo (Rides Again)" (Warner). Included on this album are highlights from his work with Earl Hines (who discovered him) and Ellington, including "Flamingo" and the original version of "You, You Darlin."
Psychologist Robert Jay Lifton. His new book Hiroshima in America: Fifty Years of Denial (Grosset Putnam), which he co-wrote with Greg Mitchell, assesses the political, ethical and psychological impact on our nation of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. August 6 marks the fiftieth anniversary of this event. Lifton is the author of many other important books including the Nazi Doctors and The Protean Self.
Father Gregory J. Boyle. He is described as being "the priest who loves gangsters." Boyle is a pastor at the Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles where they provide shelter for the women and children, a day care center, and an alternative high school. He provides support and guidance to young men in Latino gangs and shows them alternatives to their life of crime. His biography Father Greg and the Homeboys (Hyperion) was written by Celeste Fremon.
Executive Director of the Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed. The Christian Coalition is a national organization dedicated to mobilizing the religious right, for political and legislative objectives. The coalition was founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. It's "Contract with the American Family" includes calls for: school prayer; eliminating federal funding for abortions; limits on late-term abortions; restrictions on pornography on the Internet, and eliminating federal funding for the NEA and public broadcasting.
Actor/Director Ron Howard. As a child actor he appeared in "The Music Man" and the long running television series "The Andy Griffith Show." He also starred in the TV series "Happy Days" and was known for his roles in "American Graffiti." Howard later made a name for himself as a director of several movies including "Splash," "Cocoon," "Parenthood," and "Backdraft." His new film "Apollo 13" which stars Tom Hanks is now in theaters. Terry recently talked with Howard about "Apollo 13,".
Poet and writer Michael Ryan. His first book of poems won the Yale Series of Younger Poets Award and was nominated for a National Book Award in 1974. Ryan's book Good Hunger won the Lenore Marshall/Nation Award for the most outstanding book of poems published in 1989. His new book Secret Life (Pantheon) is his autobiography in which he shares his experiences of childhood molestation and sexual addiction. (Contains brief excerpt of 12/12/1989 interview).
