Government & Politics

Archibald Cox, Watergate prosecutor who was fired under orders from President Richard Nixon when he asked for the release of secret White House tapes.

Investigative reporter Jonathan Kwitny, author of Vicious Circles, which probed Mafia involvement with legitimate businesses. His new book, The Crimes of Patriots, chronicles the demise of the Nugan Hand Bank in Australia, a story that features many of the characters who figured prominently in the investigation into the sales of arms to Iran, and the diversion of those funds to the Contras.

Adam Hochschild, founder of the leftist magazine "Mother Jones." He's written a memoir about his ambivalent relationship with his father, an industrialist who operated a string of gold and diamond mines in South Africa.

Frank Deford, senior writer for Sports Illustrated and a commentator on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition." Some of his best essays from Sports Illustrated have been collected in a book titled The World's Tallest Midget.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff will review "A Prayer for the Dying," about an IRA operative who tries to leave the terrorist organization. It stars Alan Bates, Mickey Rourke and Bob Hoskins.

Donald Woods, who worked as a reporter in South Africa. While covering the racial unrest there, he befriended Black activist Steve Biko. He was later placed under house arrest when he pressed authorities to investigate Biko's death in prison. A movie based on his work and his friendship with Steve Biko will be released in November.

Jehan Sadat, wife of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

The jazz musician served time for crimes related to his heroin addiction. He left prison with his chops intact--he was often able to practice sax and perform for his fellow inmates.

Film critic Stephen Schiff doesn't think The Big Easy is a particularly smart film, but he praises star Dennis Quaid who, along with costar Ellen Barkin, delivers one of the sexiest scenes of the summer.

Fresh Air book critic John Leonard reviews a new book by Robin W. Winks, which tells the story of the OSS and CIA's recruitment of scholars at Yale University.

Alexander Slepak was able to leave the Soviet Union and emigrate to the United States. His parents, both prominent Jewish activists, continue to be denied the right to leave the country.

After appearing in the hit film The Untouchables, Kevin Costner stars in No Way Out, based on the book The Big Clock. The movie also features the excellent Gene Hackman and Sean Young. Film critic Stephen Schiff says it's one of the best political thrillers--if you ignore the ending.

The Nobel Prize-winning author condensed 600 pages of notes into a slim biography of filmmaker Miguel Littin, who traveled throughout Chile to salvage footage of life under Augusto Pinochet. Book critic John Leonard says LIttin is lucky to be the subject of Garcia Marquez's "magic" writing.

Lawyer and First Amendment expert Martin Garbus has a new book called Traitors and Heroes. He discusses the Lenny Bruce obscenity trials, the Reagan administration's effect on news coverage, and censorship issues abroad.

The insurance agent turned suspense novelist has gained widespread popularity, even with President Reagan and among the intelligence community. Clancy's latest, Patriot Games, follows CIA agent Jack Ryan, who was first introduced in The Hunt for Red October.

The new president of the National Organization for Women, now in her 70s, joins Fresh Air to discuss her lifelong awareness of women's second-class status, which fueled her political activism. She hopes to use NOW to support more women running for elected office.

Photographer Eve Arnold documented the life of the iconic film actress, but embargoed her photos after Monroe's death. Arnold has now compiled them into a book, called Marilyn Monroe--An Appreciation.

Book critic John Leonard says that Robert Stuart Nathan's new mystery book, The White Tiger, features a memorable portrayal of Beijing, and makes for fine summer reading.

Sarah Paretsky's novels feature women detectives who are every bit as tough as their hard-boiled male counterparts. Her work subverts classic tropes of vulnerable virgins and femme fatales. Her newest book is called Bitter Medicine.

The franchise's newest installment, The Living Daylights, stars Timothy Dalton. Film critic Stephen Schiff says it's enjoyable enough, but its tone is too serious and sensitive for a Bond flick.