Michael Jacobson, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The center's just issued the second edition of their "Fast Food Guide." (published by Workman Publishing).
Reporter Pete Earley. Earley spent two years observing life at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was given complete access to the prisoners, guards, staff, and the warden. He tells about life in Leavenworth in his new book, "The Hot House." (published by Bantam) (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception," by Michael Baigent ("baa-gent") and Richard Leigh. The authors contend that the interpretation of the scrolls has been deliberately slowed by scholars that want to protect their religious views. (It's published by Summit Books).
Writer Richard Bausch. His new novel, "Violence," explores that subject from several points of view,...among then an adult man's memory of child abuse, his wife's earlier experience with an abusive husband, and a violent robbery. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Popular culture junkie Michael Barson's latest book is a collection of postcards. The pictures are the covers from vintage romance comic books. It's called "Boy Loves Girl, Girl Loves Boy."
Writer Gay Talese. His new book, "Unto The Sons," is the story of the immigrant experience in America, and also the chronicle of Talese's own Italian ancestors coming to this country. Talese's previous works include the best-sellers "The Kingdom and the Power," "Honor Thy Father," and "Thy Neighbor's Wife."
Writer ThulaniI (pronounced "tah-lawn-nee") Davis. Her new novel, "1959," is the story of a young black girl coming of age at the dawn of the civil rights movement. Davis' earlier works include reporting for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and writing the libretto for the opera "X: The Life and Times of Malcom X." ("1959" is published by Grove Weidenfeld.)
Actor David Mcallum. He's still known for the TV role he had back in the 60s, as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in "The Man From UNCLE." Since then, he's had dozens of stage, TV, and movie roles. Currently, he has a supporting role as a police detective in the new English movie "Hear My Song."
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new release by conductor Craig Smith. Smith is best known as the conductor of Peter Sellars' controversial stagings of Mozart operas. His new recording is of a series of motets by German composer Heinrich Schutz (rhymes with "putz"). It's performed by the Chorus of Boston's Emanuel Church, and it's on the Koch International Label.
Writer Eddy L. Harris. Like many African Americans, Harris felt a kinship to the continent of his ancestors. He went to Africa, traveled throughout the continent, and came away feeling disillusioned and feeling that he was not an African at heart after all. He's written about his journey in the new book, "Native Stranger" (published by Simon and Schuster). Harris' earlier book was the critically acclaimed "Mississippi Solo."
Writer Nik Cohn (pronounced "cone"). Cohn walked the length of Broadway in New York City, talking with the various characters along the Great White Way. His chronicle of that experience is "The Heart of the World." (published by Knopf).
Satirist Harry Shearer. Shearer has an eclectic career: he does many of the voices on the TV series "The Simpsons," he has a weekly program on many public radio stations called "Le Show," he often has character roles in movies, and he's one of the members of the parody heavy metal rock group "Spinal Tap." This year, Spinal Tap's releasing a new album and going out on tour.
Today we look at the growing problem of inhalant abuse. More and more kids and teenagers are getting high by inhaling substances like glue, gasoline, solvents and industrial cleaners. We'll talk with Doctor Marvin Snyder, of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. We'll also speak with "Jimmy" and "Kathy," a teenager who became addicted to inhalants and his mother (they prefer to use pseudonyms).
Book critic John Leonard reviews "To The End of Time," by former Time magazine journalist and executive Richard Clurman. The book is an account of the big stakes merger between Time Inc and Warner Communications.
Economist Robert Heilbroner (rhymes with "runner"). He'll discuss the current recession, and our long-standing obsession with the deficit. He'll also give some suggestions about how to end the recession, and he'll tell us why sometimes a deficit isn't a bad thing.
Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Strong Motion," Jonathan Franzen's new novel that mixes thriller, science fiction, feminism, and romance. (It's published by Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux).
