After a Brief Moment of Success, Larry Williams' String of Bad Luck

Scientist Arno Penzias won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1978 for his work supporting the big-bang theory. He's now vice-president of research at AT&T, and is concerned with the human implications of technological innovation. Penzias' book, Ideas and Information, is a popular history of computers and communications technology.

Norman's book, called the Psychology of Everyday Life, is about the effect of poor industrial design has on our interactions with new and familiar technology. He says not enough consumers complain; without their influence, corporations will continue to produce difficult-to-use products.

The author of The Satanic Versus has been in hiding due to threats on his life. He's written a new essay, published in Granta and separately as a pamphlet, about his life since then, and his evolving perspectives on literature and religion. Maureen Corrigan has this review.