Actor and Director William H. Macy. He's been associated with playwright and film director David Mamet for over 15 years. He appeared in the original productions of Mamet's American Buffalo and The Water Engine. He's appeared in Mamet's films, "House of Games," and "Things Change." Now he's directing the theatrical debut of Mamet's play, "Squirrels," at the Philadelphia festival of New Plays. One of Macy'S earliest acting roles was in the workshop production of "Squirrels" in the 1970's in Chicago.
Scientist and writer Dr. Arno Penzias (PEN-zee-us). He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1978 for his work supporting the big-bang theory of the universe. Now, as vice-president of research at AT&T he's responsible for innovation and risk-taking. Though Penzias is at the forefront of technological development, he remains aware of its human implication. His book, "Ideas and Information" is a crash course on the history of computers and communications-technology and is addressed to the general reader.
Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton. The University of North Carolina Press has just reissued Lifton's classic 1961 book, "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism." That book examined what's commonly been referred to as 'brain washing' as it was practiced in Communist China. Lifton says the book has new relevancy now in light of the rise of 'cult' religions and the recent pro-democracy movements in China and eastern Europe.
Anthropologist Sally Price. In her new book, "Primitive Art in Civilized Places," she attacks the West's desire to own the art of native peoples. She says the West's attitude toward those peoples is one of arrogance, snobbery, and patronization; and that all too often there's no effort made to learn about, or even identify, the actual artists who's work ends up in museums and homes throughout the First World. Price's academic life alternates between her studies of the Maroon people of Suriname and teaching assignments in the United States.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new series of early operatic recordings reissued on the Nimbus. Lloyd says Nimbus went to extraordinary lengths to re-record these vintage performances from the first half of the century, and the care shows.
Artist and writer Russell Chatham. Chatham's paintings and lithographs of the West have been shown in many of the major galleries and museums west of the Mississippi. His works tend to shy away from grand scenes of the Rockies, in favor of more quiet views of fields, forests, and water. His writings often deal with the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)
South African writer Diana Russell. Russell has written several books on subjects such as rape and sexual abuse against women. Russell's new book, "Lives of Courage," profiles 24 women in South Africa who have fought against apartheid. The book also examines sex issues in South Africa. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)
Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Ruth Brown. Back in the 50s, Brown was one of the country's top female R&B singer, with hits such as "So Long" and "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean."
Television critic David Bianculli reviews Part 2 of "Eyes on the Prize," the award-winning documentary series on the civil rights movement in America. Part 2 picks up in 1964 where Part 1 left off.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of a 1957 album by bassist Wilbur Ware. Kevin says that year was the highlight of Ware's career--he recorded with Sonny Rollins and Thelonius Monk as well as recording his only album as a leader.
John F. Sears, author of "Sacred Places: American Tourist Attractions in the Nineteenth Century." Sears went back to magazines, fiction and painting of the 19th century to find out when and why tourism developed in this country. He says that natural wonders like Niagara Falls and Yellowstone were a substitute for the cathedrals of Europe, and that tourism gave Americans a way to shape their national identity. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)
World Music Commentator Milo Miles reviews the music of Yugoslavian Jova "Besir" Stojiljkovic (YO-va BEE-sheer stoya-KOL-vich) and his brass orchestra.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and biographer Ted Morgan. His latest book is "An Uncertain Hour: The French, the Germans, the Jews, the Klaus Barbie Trial, and the City of Lyon, 1940-1945." It's an account of the recent trial in France of fugitive war criminal Klaus Barbie. But the story has personal significance to Ted Morgan as well. He was born in France and lived there as a child when the Germans invaded. His father, a pilot with the Free French forces, was killed while on a bombing mission. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)
Reporter John Barry. He's the author of "The Ambition and the Power," the new book about the political downfall of House Speaker Jim Wright. Wright gave Barry access to his private meetings and closed door wheeling and dealing. Barry's book reveals those events, and examines the day to day workings of Congress.
Rock critic Ken Tucker checks out some of the albums getting heavy airplay on college radio. Ken says college radio used to be hip, but these days it's just as formulaic as Top 40.
