First, Amitav Ghosh is an Indian writer and anthropologist. Terry talks to him about an essay he wrote in the January issue of the literary magazine Granta called "An Egyptian in Baghdad." One of his friends went to work in Iraq several years ago; that friend was still in Baghdad when the war started. Ghosh felt that much of the press about the war was depersonalized, and wanted to write about the life of one person caught up in the conflict.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer is a former Vietnam War correspondent. In his new book "The Next Century," he contends that the 20th century is the end of America's economic dominance in the world. He questions the meaning of a victory in the Gulf when there are so many problems at home that we've delayed and ignored.
Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews a new biography of the former slave, writer, and abolitionist by Pulitzer Prize-winning author William McFeely. The book fills in the many gaps and silences in all three of Douglass's autobiographies.
Terry talks with the great violinist Isaac Stern. Last week he was performing a concert in Israel when the sirens went off signaling a missle attack. The audience put on their gas masks, and the orchestra left the stage. But Stern stayed and continued to play.
Marian Faye Novak was pregnant when her husband, David, a Marine, was sent to Vietnam. Her daughter, Jeannie is now an army officer serving in the Gulf war. We talk with Marian about her new memoir about the Vietnam War, Lonely Girls with Burning Eyes, and her feelings today about her daughter's military service. We also talk with David about what it's like for him to be waiting at the other end.
Retired Colonel Howard Levie is Professor Emeritus of Law, St. Louis University. He's written a study about prisoners of war, "Prisoners of War in International Armed Conflict." In light of the growing number of Iraqi soldiers surrendering, he talk to Terry about the history of P.O.W.s and the laws governing their treatment.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo came to America's attention following their performances on Paul Simon's album, "Graceland." The ensemble's new album is called "Two Worlds, One Heart." Frontman Joseph Shabalala talks to Terry about his early life and rise to fame.
In the next day, there may be a cease-fire in Iraq, or a ground war could begin. James Adams, the defense correspondent for The Sunday Times of London, talks about the mood at the Pentagon in light of proposed negotiations.
Shabalala, who died Feb. 11, fronted of the South African a capella group. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1991 about collaborating with Paul Simon on Graceland and growing up on a farm.
Terry talks with Alex Molnar, the founder of the Military Families Support Network, a support group that's very critical of the government's handling of the war.
Terry talks with humorist Calvin Trillin and cartoonist Edward Koren from the The New Yorker about the magazine's impending move. The magazine has been at its present location for almost 60 years. Some of the original office's furnishings are going to the Smithsonian.
Christopher Flavin is a senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based think tank that monitors the state of the environment. He believes President Bush's new energy policies miss several opportunities for reforms, including taxes which would promote greater conservation of resources.
Johnson says he feels, by virtue of being talented writer, he has the responsibility to report on conflict zones. His new novel is "Resuscitation of a Hanged Man," about a man recovering from a botched suicide attempt who goes on to be a private investigator.
The British journalist has avoided the government-established pool system, which gives military access to reporters, but requires them to have their stories cleared before they're published. He explains his reasons in conversation with Terry Gross.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Darlings of the Gods," a TV miniseries about the real life romance between two of this century's greatest actors; Lawrence Oliver and Vivian Leigh.
Venclova's outspoken comments cost him his Soviet citizenship. After leaving his home in Lithuania, he's spent the the past 14 years in the U.S, and now teaches at Yale University.
A while back, classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviewed a live recording by the late pianist Artur Schnabel. Schnabel lost his place during the performance, but the error was edited out of the recording. Now Lloyd has a chance to play the original for us, which he actually finds more enjoyable.
Fred Halliday, professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, discusses some possible motives for the Soviet Union's attempt to find an end to the Gulf War -- including how these negotiations could affect relations with the United States. He'll also give us a primer on the history of the Soviet Union's relations with Iraq.
Stephen Schiff reviews the new film starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. He says that, despite its macabre premise, the movie is oddly comforting and fairy-tale like.
Say's brother is Terry Anderson, the Associated Press reporter who's been held hostage in Lebanon since March 1985. During the past five years, Say has worked to free her brother, and to keep the American government, and the American people from forgetting her brother's plight. Her new memoir documents that ordeal.
