Terry Gross

Bernard Lewis is a Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. He just written a new book about the war in the Middle East called What Went Wrong? Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response (Oxford University Press). The New York Times Book Review has called Lewis "the doyen of Middle Eastern Studies." Lewis says that there may be no escape from the "downward spiral of hate and spite...culminating sooner or later in another alien domination."

Professor Robert Jay Lifton specializes in the study of extremist religions and cults. Hel talk with us about John Walker, the American captured in Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban. Lifton is Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Graduate School University Center and Director of The Center on Violence and Human Survival at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York. He written books on many topics, including the Japanese cult which released poison gas in the Tokyo subways, Nazi doctors, Hiroshima survivors and Vietnam vets.

Will Smith is starring in the new film Ali as fighter Muhammad Ali. The film begins in 1964, the year that Cassius Clay became world heavyweight champion, announced his conversion to Islam, and took on the name Muhammad Ali. The film is directed and co-written by Michael Mann who also made The Insider. Smith also starred in the films The Legend of Bagger Vance, Men In Black, Independence Day, and Six Degrees of Separation. Smith got his start as a rapper, making his first record in high school.

Alan Ball is the creator of the HBO series Six Feet Under which premiered last summer to critical acclaim. On Wednesday, December 12th, HBO began rebroadcasting the original 13 episodes. They will run on successive Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. EST. The new season of Six Feet Under will begin in March 2002. Ball won an Academy Award for writing the screenplay for American Beauty. He also has production credits on the TV shows Cybill and Oh Grow Up. Ball has served as producer, writer and director on Six Feet Under.

Wes Anderson co-wrote and produced the new film The Royal Tenenbaums, about a family of geniuses, who despite their talents are ill-suited to deal with everyday problems. The family comes together for an unexpected reunion. The film stars Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Billy Murray, Wyneth Paltrow and Ben Stiller. Anderson also co-wrote and directed Bottle Rocket and Rushmore.

Biological and chemical weapons expert Eric Croddy is a senior research associate at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and author of the book, Chemical and Biological Warfare: A Comprehensive Survey for the Concerned Citizen (Copernicus Books).

Actor Patrick Warburton is best known for his recurring role on Seinfeld as Elaine laconic boyfriend, Puddy. Though he only appeared in nine episodes, he became one of the show favorite characters. Warburton currently stars in the new FOX show The Tick. He could also be heard as the voice of Joe on Fox animated series The Family Guy and has been in commercials for American Express, Cadillac and M&M's. He starred in the movie The Woman Chaser which was critically acclaimed at the New York Film Festival and The Sundance Film Festival, and he was in the Australian film, The Dish.

Composer Aaron Jay Kernis is one of the youngest composers to win the Pulitzer Prize. This Saturday, his latest composition will be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra as part of the grand opening of the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia's new concert hall. The piece was commissioned specifically for the event. The Walt Disney Company has commissioned a piece by Kernis. His many awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, an NEA grant, a New York Foundation for the Arts award, and two Grammy nominations. Kernis was born in Philadelphia and is 41 years old.

David Atkins directed Novocaine, a new film starring Steve Martin. It's about a dentist who's lured into a life of crime. Atkins is also a drummer and songwriter, and participated in the creation of several songs on the movie soundtrack. He also wrote the screenplay for the film Arizona Dream, starring Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway and Lili Taylor. It something of a cult classic in the U.S., although it was successful overseas. Novocaine is his feature film directorial debut.

It's been twenty-five years since Sissy Spacek's memorable performance in the 1976 horror film Carrie, based on a Stephen King novel. Her new film is In The Bedroom, a family drama/tragedy. It won several awards in this year's Sundance festival. Spacek won an Oscar for her performance in Coal Miner's Daughter, and she's been nominated for Best Actress 5 times. She got her start in the film Badlands. She's had roles in numerous films and TV dramas, including Three Women, Raggedy Man, Night Mother, and The Straight Story.