Terry Gross

Stephen Manes writes the "Personal Computers" column for The New York Times. He's been writing about computers for over a decade, and was a columnist and contributing editor for PC Magazine and PC/Computing. He is the co-author of the book about Bill Gates, Gates: How Microsoft's Mogul Reinvented an Industry and Made Himself the Richest Man in America (1993, Doubleday).

Bill Gates is chief executive and co-founder of Microsoft, the world's largest software company. Microsoft has made Gates rich and famous, and has earned him a reputation as a computer visionary. Gates recently wrote the book The Road Ahead (Viking). Gates explores the new, growing technology and how it will effect people's lives, including the realms of education, politics, and business. Gates says that he does not "necessarily have all the answers, but the book is my way of getting us all to start thinking about the opportunities and challenges ahead."

Temple Grandin is one of the nation’s top designers of livestock facilities. She is also autistic. In her book, Thinking in Pictures: and other reports from my life with Autism she describes how her inner-autistic world has led her to develop animal empathy. She is currently an assistant professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Her new book is published by Doubleday 1995. Grandin was the subject of Oliver Sack’s 1993 New Yorker article An Anthropologist on Mars.

Actor and singer Harry Belafonte. He stars in the new movie White Man’s Burden with John Travolta. Belafonte was born in Harlem and raised in the hills of Jamaica where he absorbed the song and music of the island life around him. Belafonte's first love was theater, but he wasn't convinced that popular singing would take him as far emotionally as Shakespeare did. By embracing the calypso music of his childhood he introduced it to America. This week, he performs his first public concert in New York City in over thirty years. (Originally aired 9/8/93)

Cynthia Lennon was the first wife of Beatle musician John Lennon. Terry talked with Cynthia in 1985. She wrote a book about her years with Lennon in 1978 called A Twist of Lennon by Avon. They met in art school in 1957 and were married in 1962. During the years John toured the world, as a member of the most popular rock group in history, Cynthia was at home raising their son Julian. Cynthia and John Lennon divorced in 1968 after John fell in love with Yoko Ono. John Lennon was killed 12 years later.

Nicholas Pileggi discusses his book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas (Simon & Schuster Oct. 1995) It is based on the true story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and his account of how the mob controlled several casinos in Las Vegas in the 1970s and early 80s. Pileggi also wrote the screenplay for the new movie based on "Casino." A film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. Pileggi's best-selling book Wiseguy was used as the basis for the film "Goodfellas." Pileggi lives in New York City.

Larry McMurtry is considered one of Texas most prominent fiction writers even though he has not lived in that state for nearly two decades. Over his career, he has written 19 novels...including the 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning book Lonesome Dove.. His newest Dead Man’s Walk (Simon & Schuster 1995) takes readers to the early days of his Lonesome Dove heroes Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Other books by McMurtry include: Streets of Laredo (sequel to Lonesome Dove), Terms of Endearment and The Last Picture Show.

Corby Kummer has been called the Dean of food writers in America. As one of the most respected food journalists, he writes for The New York Times Magazine, New York and Food and Wine. In addition he also a senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly. Kummer talks about his newest book The Joy of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying (Chapters Publishing Ltd 1995) He talks about the reasons behind America’s love affair with gourmet coffees and some tips on how to make a good cup. Kummer lives in Boston, Mass.

American folk singer Rosalie Sorrels may not be wildly famous but since the 1960s she's developed a near cult like following. Her admirers describe Sorrels as someone who has lived the life she now sings about. In fact, she was immortalized in a song by Nanci Griffith describing Sorrels as "Salt of the earth.....with a voice like wine." .Her newest CD is "Borderline Heart" by Green Linnet Records Inc. The book "Way Out in Idaho" is a collection of her poems, songs and recipes.

New York Times Reporter Roger Cohen updates us on today's announced peace agreement between the warring factions in the former Yugoslavia. Cohen has extensively covered the war from Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia. President Clinton announced today that the three sides have agreed to preserve Bosnia within its current borders -- but divide it into two republics under one national government.