Society & Culture

Linguist Geoffrey Nunburg says that, unlike classic Victorian writers, contemporary authors don't intend for their work to be read aloud. But that doesn't stop actors from doing it -- and often in uncomplimentary ways.

Writer and editor Victor Navasky has been with The Nation since 1978. Now the magazine -- a "journal of commentary and dissent" -- is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a new anthology. Navasky talks about the Nation's editorial stand on the Gulf crisis and how the peace movement is responding to events.

Ed Ward concludes his two-part history of the politically-minded singer and songwriter. Mayfield was recruited by Columbia Records so that label could compete with Motown. After a few career missteps with other labels, Mayfield scored two hits from his soundtrack the film Superfly.

The African American film director made a number of documentary films; his first widely distributed, commercial film, To Sleep with Anger, stars Danny Glover. Burnett comes from the American South; he's inspired by a lot of the folklore that comes from that region.

Rhodes is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist who wrote The Making of the Atomic Bomb. His new book is called A Hole in the World, about the abuse he and his brother endured at the hands of his stepmother. Rhodes eventually became a ward of the state, and grew up in a boys' home.

Kindcaid's new novel, Lucy, is based on her own experience of leaving her home country for New York City. She says much of her work has been informed by her difficult but loving relationship with her mother, whom she sees infrequently.

The Fleetwood Mac founder and drummer has a new memoir about the romantic entanglements that tore apart the band. Despite their troubled history, they're on tour in support of a new album, Behind the Mask.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg critiques the idea that linguistic sophistication hinges on how expansive or specialized a language's vocabulary may be.

Wolff's new book, The Final Club, is about Princeton students in the late 1950's. His memoir, The Duke of Deception, was about his father, who conned his way through his life and career. Wolff's brother is writer Tobias Wolff, who has his own childhood memoir, This Boy's Life.

Mexican-American writer Sandra Cisnero is credited as the first Chicana author to publish a book about Chicana women. She joins Fresh Air to read from a new story, called "La Fabulosa."

Film critic Stephen Schiff says the new movie, with its darker tone, still retains the satirical edge of the Cohens's earlier work. Set in the prohibition era, Miller's Crossing features a cerebral plot and performances of a lifetime.

Olds reads a poem about her father, centered around his bed -- the site of his romances and, ultimately, his passing.

Farrell had a deep, complicated relationship with her choreographer, George Balanchine. She spent over twenty years with the New York City Ballet. Farrell's new memoir about her career is called is "Holding on to the Air"

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers some country music-singing brother duos that preceded more famous siblings like the Everly Brothers.

Film critic Stephen Schiff says GoodFellas is a thrilling exploration into the banality of evil. Based on the book Wiseguy, the film stars Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro.

The brothers team up to create strips, panels, and movie poster take-offs that appear in Spy Magazine, National Lampoon, and Raw. They are known for their realistic drawings and caustic wit. Their new book is called Warts and All.

The architect and graphic designer's new book examines contemporary worries over keeping up with an ever-growing body of media. Wurman says one way to alleviate this anxiety is to increase information accessibility through better organization.

Writer Barry Lopez reads from a new essay, called the Rediscovery of North America, about contemporary views of indigenous landscapes, which developed during the era of European conquest.

Film critic Stephen Schiff says Streep is best in comedies -- including this dysfunctional tale about a mother and daughter in Hollywood, written by Carrie Fisher, and adapted by her book of the same name.

Filmmaker and writer Adrian Cowell spent much of the 1980s filming all the stakeholders affected by the deforestation of the Amazon -- including homesteaders, indigenous people, and government-supported ranchers. He's made a series of television documentaries and a new book about the experience, both called the Decade of Destruction.