Wyman is the quiet, low-profile member of the band who avoided drugs. Using his diaries for reference, he wrote a book about his time in the band through the 1960s, called Stone Alone.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the director's new film about the famous painter and his brother. Schiff says it's as much about them as it is the bond between art and commerce.
Cunningham's new novel, A Home at the End of the World, is about the friendship and sexual relationships between two men and woman. It was inspired in large part by Cunningham's own ambiguous sexuality, as well as living through the AIDS crisis.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Heartbeats Accelerating, the new album by Kate and Anna McGarrigle. He says it's an accessible, updated version of their austere, folk sound.
Rock historian Ed Ward takes a look at the early days of the folk revival, and profiles some of the singers that gained exposure through the politically-charged magazine, Broadside.
Literary critic Denis Donogue was a Catholic who grew up in a community suspicious of Protestants. His memoir about his life in Northern Ireland, and his father's career in the constabulary, is called "Warrenpoint."
Critic Maureen Corrigan is a staunch Dick Francis fan, despite his problematic takes on race and gender. Though his horse racing-themed novels are formulaic, Francis can still weave a suspenseful story. Corrigan reviews his 29th novel, Longshot.
The stage and screen actor's career has spanned nearly 50 years. One of his most well-known films is the Magnificent Seven. Wallach is currently touring the country in the play Love Letters with his wife Anne Jackson, and also has a role in the upcoming film, Godfather Part III.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Ken Kesey's account of traveling the country in his bus Further during the 1960s. Leonard says it details Kesey and the Pranksters' many trips, but fails to explain their countercultural worldview.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Rif, the new album by Dutch bassist Maarten Altena and his octet. Altena, who was a practitioner of free jazz, is also influenced by 20th century composers such as Stravinsky and Morton Feldman.
We finally know who killed Laura Palmer. Or do we? Television critic David Bianculli has some thoughts on this week's episode of "Twin Peaks." He recommends sticking with the show over the new ABC mini-series, "It," based on the Stephen King novel.
When writer Natalie Kusz was six years old, her family moved from Los Angeles to the Alaskan wilderness. That first winter, a neighbor's sled dog attacked Kusz, and tore off part of her face. Kusz's memoir details that event and its effect on the family.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Possession" by A. S. Byatt. It's a throwback to the big Victorian novels of the 19th century, but with postmodern nods to contemporary literary theory.
Chinese student activist and organizer Shen Tong participated in protests that preceded the tragic incident. He's written a book about the experience called Almost a Revolution.
James Fogle was a drug addict who, along with others, robbed drugstores to feed his habit. The film Drugstore Cowboy is based on his autobiographical novel of the same name; the book wasn't yet published at the time of production. It's now in stores. Fogle is currently serving a prison sentence, and joins Fresh Air by telephone.
Newsweek magazine's religion writer Kenneth L. Woodward's new book examines the politics surrounding how the Roman Catholic Church decides who will become a saint. Woodward says it's the most democratic process in a profoundly undemocratic institution.
Biographer and journalist Anthony Holden took a year off from writing to play in poker circuits around the country. It turns out he was pretty good. He documents that experience in a his new book, Big Deal.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Dances With Wolves," starring and directed by Kevin Costner, about a soldier in the 1860s preserving the frontier and forging alliances with American Indians. Schiff says it's corny and overdone, but reminds him of the entertaining Westerns of the 1950s.
Rock critic Ken Tucker says The Traveling Wilburys' new, ironically titled second is filled with annoying jokes. But the band gives the members of the group a chance to relax and let loose -- which gives this album some charm.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz discusses the history of musicians adapting Bach's music for their own instruments -- regardless of what the piece was originally composed for. He says Sharon Isbin's new album of Bach's Four Lute Suites is in an excellent example -- it has a depth of emotion he doesn't normally associated with the guitar.
