Books

The journalist's new book, "The Power and the Glitter," looks at alliances between politicians across the ideological spectrum with movie stars and other celebrities. Brownstein is the national political correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.

Critic Maureen Corrigan says that Elizabeth Bowen quote best describes the collection Wave Me Goodbye, which features short stories written by women during World War II. Corrigan says, in light of the conflict in the Middle East, the collection is remains relevant to women and men alike.

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Half Man," George Packer's novel of a journalist in a small Pacific Rim country.

Science writer Timothy Ferris. In his new book, "The Mind's Sky," Ferris explores the relationship between the universe and how our brains' see the universe. Ferris's earlier books include the best-seller, "Coming Of Age In The Milky Way."

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Secret Pilgrim" by John LeCarre. It's the final chapter in LeCarre's novels starring master spy George Smiley, which Leonard says it's a Pilgrim's Promise of a book, and LeCarre's best in recent years.

Writer Frank White's book "The SETI Factor," looks at the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. In 1992, NASA will begin a comprehensive scan of the heavens for radio signals from other solar systems. White says, as a result of that search, it's quite likely that within the next 25 years we'll finally know if we're alone in the universe.

Film historian Kevin Brownlow is best known as the man who reconstructed the silent movie masterpiece Napoleon. His new book, Behind the Mask of Innocence, is an examination of how pre-World War One filmmakers, contrary to popular belief, addressed social issues of the day.

Film critic Stephen Schiff and book critic John Leonard look back at the movies and books of 1990. They give us their favorites from the year, and consider trends and highlights in popular culture.

Book critic John Leonards says the Russian author is the greatest writer never to have received the Nobel prize. He reviews a new biography by Brian Boyd, which explores Nabokov's complex and unnerving mind.

Kenneth Jackson and Camilo Jose Vergara are the authors of Silent Cities, about the evolution of cemeteries in the United States. They say these sites reflect American attitudes toward class, race, and public space.