Biography & Memoir

Former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne. She’s written a new memoir of her years in Chicago politics, called My Chicago. It’s published by W.W. Norton).

British actor Michael York. Over the years he's starred in such films as "Romeo & Juliet," "Cabaret," "Logan's Run," and "The Three Musketeers." He's written his autobiography, "Accidentally on Purpose." (published by Simon & Schuster).

Social Worker Sattareh Farman-Farmaian (sa-TAH-ray FAR-mahn far-m'YAN). She's the daughter of an Iranian prince of a fallen dynasty. She spent her childhood in a harem in Persia in the 20s and 30s. She's 70 years old and has spent a life time challenging Iran's conventions. She became the first Persian to study at the University of Southern California where she earned an advanced degree in social work. Returning to Iran she founded the Tehran School of Social Work.

Dame Edna Everage. Dame Edna describes herself as a housewife, megastar, investigative journalist, chanteuse, swami and polymath. She's become a media star in England and Australia, and has just written her memoir, called "My Gorgeous Life: The Life, The Loves, The Legend" (published by Simon and Schuster). Dame Edna, in case you didn't know, is a fictitious creation, the alter-ego of Australian comic Barry Humphries.

Author Norma Field. Field teaches Japanese literature at the University Chicago and was born to a Japanese mother and an American father. Her new book, "In the Realm Of A Dying Emperor," tells the true stories of three Japanese who went against the ultra-conformist Japanese society, and the condemnation they suffered. (It's published by Pantheon). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Journalist Nan Robertson. Robertson spent more than three decades at the New York Times. Her new book, "The Girls In the Balcony," is a look back at the sexual inequality that for many years was part of working life at the Times, and throughout journalism in general. (It's published by Random House). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Nancy Lieberman-Cline dominated women's college basketball and was the youngest woman ever to play on the women's Olympic basketball team. She was also a star of the short-lived women's pro basketball league. She also spent several years as companion and trainer to tennis star Martina Navritilova. She has a new autobiography called "Lady Magic." (Published by Sagamore). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Dancer and choreographer Edward Villella. Villella's new autobiography, "Prodigal Son," chronicles his rise as one of the best known male dancers and choreographers in the history of American ballet. It also looks at his often stormy working relationship with choreographer George Balanchine. (It's published by Simon and Schuster). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

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 Patrick McGilligan. He's just written a new biography of film director George Cukor (KOOK-er), "A Double Life, George Cukor: A Biography of the Gentleman Director." (published by St. Martin's Press). Cukor's films included, "Little Women," "GasLight," "The Philadelphia Story," and "Dinner at Eight." This new biography reveals the part of his life that he kept private while he was alive, his homosexuality.

Elvis Costello's former bass player, Bruce Thomas. He was with Elvis Costello and the Attractions, from 1977-1987. Thomas has just written a journalistic book about touring with a band based on his own experiences, "The Big Wheel: Rock & Roll and Roadside Attractions." (published by Faber & Faber).

We remember trumpeter Buck Clayton, who died on Sunday at age 80. Clayton played with Count Baise's original band. (Rebroadcast of 10/14/1987)

Ambassador Max Kampelman. He was head of the U.S. delegation to the Geneva negotiations on nuclear and arms reduction. He also headed the U.S. delegation at the Madrid East-West Conference on Human Rights. Though a moderate Democrat, he worked for the Reagan and Bush administrations. And he was a pacifist until the end of World War Two when he realized that nuclear weapons changed the way wars would be waged. He's written a memoir, "Entering New Worlds: The Memoirs of a Private Man in Public Life." (HarperCollins Publishing).

Commentator Maureen Corrigan tells us about a new biography of Edgar Allan Poe by Kenneth Silverman: "Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance." (published by Harper Collins). She says it's "mesmerizing."

Actress Holly Woodlawn. Woodlawn was part of Andy Warhol's New York's scene in the 60s and early 70s. Perhaps her high point came when she starred in Warhol's movie "Trash." Woodlawn was born a boy, her career as a transvestite was immortalized in Lou Reed's song, "Take A Walk On the Wild Side." Woodlawn has a new memoir, called "A Low Life in High Heels: The Holly Woodlawn Story.." (It's published by St Martin's Press).

Soviet emigre, and Manhattan cab driver Vladimir Lobas. In 1977, Lobas was living in New York, and needed some quick cash, so he got a job driving a cab. His first day on the job was also the first time he had Ever driven an automobile. He's written about his experiences in a new memoir, called "Taxi From Hell." (It's published by Soho).

Musician Glen Matlock. Matlock was an original member of the British punk band, The Sex Pistols. He was kicked out of the band in 1977, and replaced by Sid Vicious. Matlock has written a new book about the band, titled "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol." (It's published by Faber and Faber).

Talk show host Joan Rivers. Rivers has a new memoir, called "Still Talking." (It's published Random House).

Basketball great Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain has a new memoir of his career on the court, and his sometimes controversial life off the court. It's called "A View From Above."

Terry talks with journalist James Reston. Since 1940, he's worked at the New York Times, as a reporter, Washington bureau chief, executive editor, and columnist. He's just written a new memoir, called "Deadline." (It's published by Random House).