Terry Gross

The Nobel Prize winner and activist talks with Terry about his newest book "The Open Sore of a Continent: A Personal Narrative of the Nigerian Crisis." It's been nearly a year since the Nigerian military government executed dissident writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. The killing sparked international protests that today has left Nigeria politically isolated. The events that led up to the execution in November 1995 mark Nigeria's decline from a thriving post-colonial state to its present military dictatorship.

Chicago Tribune science writer Ronald Kotulak talks with Terry about his new book "Inside the Brain: Revolutionary Discoveries of How the Mind Works." It is published by Andrews and McMeel. Kotulak has interviewed more than 300 of the leading researchers and reveals the latest theories on how the brain thinks. Kotulak received the Pulitzer Prize for two related newspaper series on brain research: "Unravelling the Mysteries of the Brain" and "Roots of Violence."

Martin talks with Terry Gross about his life on stage. Next month, his new book "Picasso at The Lapin Agile and Other Plays" will be published by Grove Press. It contains one full length play and three one-acts. Martin is also author of a collection of short stories, "Cruel Shoes." His screenwriting credits include "L.A.

Wuhl talks with Terry about his new HBO comedy series "Arli$$." It is about the life of Arliss Michaels, a high powered Los Angeles sports agent. The cable sitcom began airing last month and airs Wednesday nights. Wuhl also played Larry in "Bull Durham," Alex Knox the investigative reporter in the movie "Batman," and D.J. Marty Driewitz in the film "Good Morning Vietnam."

Washington Post reporter Leon Dash won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his eight part series "Rosa Lee's Story." He has turned that into the new book ,"Rosa Lee: A Mother and Her Family in Urban America." It shows Lee's day to day life in one of Washington D.C.'s poorest neighborhoods.

Miller appeared in 35 of Roger Corman's films, including the original "Little Shop of Horrors" which was filmed in one night. It helped propel his career into the mainstream; he's been in more than 90 movies like "Pulp Fiction," "Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight," and "The Happy Hooker Goes to Hollywood." (Rebroadcast)

Film producer/director/actor Roger Corman is known as "King of the B movies." Many of today's actors and directors got their start in Corman's low budget films. He has produced or directed more than 225 films. This month, the American Museum of the Moving Image is showing a series of films by directors who worked under Corman. Some of those who work will be featured in the New York show include Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Joe Dante. The series is called "Corman's Children." (Originally aired pt 1. 8/2/90 pt 2. 8/3/90)

Film director/actor Joe Dante. He started out making trailers for Roger Corman movies and has since gone on to make movies such as "Gremlins," "The Burbs," and "Matinee." A trademark of Dante is always casting actor Dick Miller in a cameo or supporting role. Miller and Dante worked together during their Roger Corman years. (Originally aired 2/15/89)

Writer and former prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin talks to Terry about new revelations related to the O.J. Simpson criminal trial, which ended last October. Simpson now faces a civil trial. Toobin says O.J. failed a lie detector test and was told what the verdict was before it was announced. Toobin's new book is "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson."

Former caseworker in New York City's Emergency Children's Services, Marc Parent. It was Parent's job to investigate cases of abused children during the evening and nighttime hours. He's written a new memoir about his experiences, called "Turning Stones: My Days and Nights with Children at Risk." Kirkus Reviews writes, "At once heart-wrenching and heart-lifting is this record of four years spent riding to the rescue of abused and neglected children."