Some consider Grass Germany's greatest contemporary writer, both for his fiction -- including The Tin Drum -- and for his political essays. Grass argued for years against against German reunification because of the hatred and resentment he was afraid it would unleash; he believes his fears have since come to pass.
Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel Regeneration, about a British poet wounded in World War I who tries to make his anti-war views known. It's based on the life of poet Siegfried Sassoon.
Yugoslavian journalist, critic, and feminist Slavenka Drakulic. We last spoke to her in July about living in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, with the outbreak of war. Recently, Drakulic has been researching and writing about Muslim women who have been raped by Serbs for genocidal purposes.
Kenneth Roth, deputy director of Human Rights Watch and editor of its annual World Report. The report, which was just released, reviews human rights developments in 1992 and examines U.S. human rights policies.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Marguerite Duras' novel "North China Lover," a more explicit version of her earlier novel "The Lover," which has been made into a movie.
Lahr has written a number of books and screenplays, including "Notes on a Cowardly Lion:" (about his father, the comedian Bert Lahr), and "Prick up Your Ears; The Biography of Joe Orton. Lahr has been the drama critic for over 25 years for "The Village Voice," and for "Vogue" (of Britian). He's written a new book about Barry Humphries and his creation, the dandy/alter ego Dame Edna Everage.
Author Nuruddin Farah came from a long line of poets and storytellers; he was one of first to use Somalia's written language, which was developed in the 60s. Prior to that, he wrote in English. He's recently had several books published in the United States. Farah, who's currently in exile in Nigeria, will discuss Somalia's culture and history.
Wainwright is best known for his 1973 hit "Dead Skunk ." Considered by many to be a satirical and caustic folksinger, his latest album, History, is a highly personal album. He sings frankly about marriage, parenthood, and child abuse.
New York Times reporter Edward Gargan is in India covering the erupting conflict between the Muslims and Hindu fundamentalists. Last Sunday a symbol of India's Muslim minority --a 16th century mosque--was destroyed by Hindu zealots. Gargan, along with other British and American journalists, was brutally beaten during the chaos..
Retired Major General Jeanne Holm was the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. She worked her way up the to become a major general and in 1976 was appointed Special Assistant for Women to the President. She also served on DACOWITS, the Defense Advisory committee on Women in the Services. Holm has written a book, "Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution." She says that though discrimination against women in the military still exists, it's impossible for America to engage in a war without women.
Associate Professor of Peace and World Security Studies Michael Klare at Hampshire College. He's also Defense Correspondent for "The Nation." Klare talks with Terry about the new role of the U.S. military in Somalia, requiring a balance of force and negotiation.
Associate Director for International Communications for the American Red Cross, Ann Stingle. She was in Mogadishu in May and also worked in several refugee camps, as well as crisis areas around the world with the Red Cross. She'll talk with Terry about what she saw and what it's like to reconcile your own life to the suffering you see.
Director of TransAfrica, Randall Robinson. His group works to influence American policy in Africa. He'll talk with Terry about his group's concerns about the American military going into Somalia to insure the delivery of food to the starving. He says there are areas of Somalia that are not as bad off as in the south and we should consider the country as a whole before going in.
The poet, essayist and fiction writer's new book is "Fidelity," a collection of stories about birth, life, death and nature in a small Kentucky town. He's worked as both a college professor and a farmer. Berry is concerned with the widespread development of undeveloped lands.
Political Economist Barry Bluestone and former United Auto Workers (UAW) Vice President and Barry's father, Irving Bluestone. Irving retired from his position at the UAW and as director of its General Motors department in 1980. Barry teaches economics at the University of Massachusetts. Together, they have written "Negotiating The Future," which offers suggestions for greater collaboration between labor and management.
Music archivist Joseph Weiss recently wrote the liner notes on "An Evening With Frank Loesser," a CD featuring the late Broadway composer performing his own songs.
