Books & Literature

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.

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.

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.

Critic Maureen Corrigan says the best she can say about Barnes's "Porcupine," about deposed communist leaders on trial in Eastern Europe, is that she "didn't not like it."

Williams grew up in an abusive family; they didn't know she was autistic. Williams has been labeled "deaf," "retarded," and "crazy." She ran away from home at a young age, lived on the streets, and managed to put herself through college. When she was 25, she learned the word "autistic," and set out to articulate to others her experience living in "a world under glass." Her autobiography is called "Nobody Nowhere."

Early is director of Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He'll talk with Terry about why he used to like Malcolm X, and why he no longer does. His article. "Their Malcolm, My Problem," appears in December's issue of Harper's Magazine.

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new literary biography by Carol Brightman, which weaves together an exhaustive amount of material collected up to the day of McCarthy's death.

Patrons was among the 30,000 Argentines who disappeared during military rule in the mid 70s. She was imprisoned for almost three years, released in 1979, and forced to leave the country. While in prison, her poetry was smuggled out by human rights groups. The U.S. granted Partnoy refugee status. She is the author of 'The Little School," and edited "You Can't Drown The Fire," an anthology of exiled Latin American women's writings. Her new collection is "Revenge of the Apple."

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews "Free Speech for Me--But Not for Thee," by Nat Hentoff. The iconoclastic writer gives his opinions on various free speech issues -- many of which he reported on as a journalist.

Barker is known for his violent, macabre stories, novels, and films -- including his well-known "Hellraiser" trilogy. His newest book "The Thief of Always: A Fable," is aimed at children.

Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winning poet; her collections include, ''Grace Notes," "Thomas and Buela," and "Museum," among others. Her first novel, "Through the Ivory Gate," is about a woman who returns to her hometown, only to unleash a flood of memories.

Preston is quickly emerging as a voice for gay writing; his work is being archived in many universities for new gay and lesbian studies departments. He has edited many anthologies including "Hometowns" and "Safe Sex." He is a former editor of "The Advocate," and occasionally writes for "Harper's" and "Interview." Preston also writes and defends gay pornography. He recently finished editing "A member of the Family: Gay Men Write About Their Families."

In addition to his literary work, Tharoor also works at the United Nations, and is currently heading up the U.N. peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia. His newest novel, "Show Business" is about the Indian film industry.

Caine has made over 70 films, from Alfie to Sleuth to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to Hannah and Her Sisters. He has a new autobiography called "What's It All About?," and will be appearing in the upcoming Muppet's Christmas movie.

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new novel "The Call of the Toad," which explores the idea of homelands in postwar Europe.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan takes a look at Bram Stoker's 19th century novel, "Dracula," and finds it weirder than any Hollywood version of the vampire tale. She considers it's place in literary and film history.

Kaplan edited the new edition of Bartlett's book of quotations. Formerly in the publishing business, he wrote biographies of Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain, two of the most often quoted men in American history. Bartlett's last edition was published in 1980.

Book critic John Leonard considers the vital role book translators have on literature on the occasion of the death of translator Ralph Manheim.

Writer James Gleick is a former New York Times science reporter and author of the best seller "Chaos." He discusses his new book, "Genius," about Richard Feynman. After Einstein, Feynman is considered to be the father of modern physics. His reputation is controversial because of his involvement in the development of the atom bomb.