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30:42

A Photographer "In America"

After relocating to England and publishing a book documenting Chinese life, Eve Arnold returned to her home country to capture different facets of the American experience, including Native Americans, biker gangs, Jerry Falwell, and the Ku Klux Klan,

Interview
03:50

Taking Nationalism Too Far

Linguist Geoff Nunberg believes that the American disdain for foreign language education is a holdover from our isolationist past -- and a detriment to our culture.

Commentary
28:02

"Waltzing" with the Marcos Regime

Journalist Raymond Bonner's new book examines how the United States government turned a blind eye to Ferdinand Marcos' rise to power and declaration of martial law in the Philippines. His account draws from myriad interviews and documents obtained through FOIA requests.

Interview
03:52

Legislating Language

Linguist Geoff Nunberg reflects on recent efforts to make English the official language at the state and federal levels. He says that such measures only hurt immigrants seeking essential services.

Commentary
03:51

The History of Yale's Poets and Spies

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.

Review
10:03

An Englishman Who Loves American Music.

Ian Whitcomb, an Englishman in love with American music. Since first coming to the United States in the early 60s, he has devoted his career to promoting and keeping alive the tradition of American popular song, particularly those from the Tin Pan Alley era.. His new book, Irving Berlin and Ragtime America, salutes the music of Irving Berlin, who will celebrate his 100th birthday this year.

Interview
09:50

A Brit's View of the United States in Cartoon Form.

Illustrator Ralph Steadman. Best known for his collaborations with the journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), Steadman's cartoons feature an America brainwashed by the mass media and manipulated by its leaders. His ink blob-splattered illustrations lampoon President Reagan, AIDS hysteria, the specter of nuclear annihilation and, of course, Richard Nixon. (Interview by Faith Middleton)

Interview
27:44

Capturing the Atmosphere of the 1960s.

Writer Geoffrey O'Brien. His new book, Dream Time: Chapters from the Sixties, is an exploration of the phenomena of the 60s, from strobe lights and miniskirts to Be-Ins and Transcendental Meditation. O'Brien attempts to capture the cultural, social and political ferment of the era, as opposed to an objective, historical accounting. O'Brien is also the author of Hard Boiled America," a survey of paperback crime fiction.

Interview
03:44

"Walt Whitman with a Tape Recorder" Documents American Life

Book critic John Leonard reviews Studs Terkel's new collection of oral histories. Leonard says that Terkel is an eternal optimist, who features interviews with people working for change -- like doctors, union leaders, and gay rights activists.

Review
03:28

Illustrating the Great Landscapes of the United States

Book critic John Leonard reviews Alfred Kazin's new book, A Writer's America, which explores the country through the eyes of its great authors. Leonard's only complaint is that Kazin doesn't feature enough of his own distinct, literary voice.

Review
03:53

Well-Written "Somoza Falling" Is Unfailingly Fascinating

Former diplomat Anthony Lake's new book is about the tense relationship between the United States and Nicaragua during the final years of Anastasio Somoza's reign. Book critic John Leonard is impressed by Lake's thoroughness, as well as his recommendations for improved diplomatic relations -- though the author is not without his own political blind spots.

Review
27:50

Journalist James Fallows on American and Asian Culture

Fallows writes for the Atlantic Monthly, and reports on Asia. His new book, More Like Us, examines the cultural differences between the United States and Asian countries, and argues that America needs to embrace its unique diversity -- and work to resolve class differences -- in order to reach its full potential.

Interview
03:31

T. Coraghesson Boyle Reaches Beyond His Own Experience

Book critic Maureen Corrigan is no fan of minimalist literature, which she derides for its familiar, navel-gazing themes. By contrast, she admires T. Coraghesson's expansive, political, and historical fiction. Unfortunately, his approach is better suited to the novel, rather than the short stories in his latest collection, If the River Was Whiskey.

Review
03:40

American Attempts at Anglicism Gone Awry

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg says that Americans who incorporate British English into their speech and writing often use words and expressions incorrectly. For instance, most people don't understand that "shall" and "will" aren't interchangeable.

Commentary
03:59

"Imitation and Authenticity in American Culture."

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews The Real Thing, by Miles Orvell. Corrigan says the book is one of those works that attempts to explain just about everything in terms of one theory. Orwell's theory is that American culture has been driven by the tension between imitation and the desire for authenticity.

Review
03:40

The Bungled Anglicism

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the epitome of Americans trying to cop some highbrow British style, using the word "shall" when they mean "will."

Commentary

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