Books & Literature

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Independence Day by Richard Ford, the sequel to his acclaimed novel, The Sports Writer, about a troubled divorcé.

A New Jersey reporter turned freelance naturalist, Montgomery developed a fascination for Bengal tigers. Her book Spell of the Tiger takes a fascinating and frightening look at those animals -- and the people who worship and fear them.

During the 1970's Stephen J. Cannell was one of television's most successful writers, penning scripts for such hits as "The Rockford Files," "Barretta," and "Black Sheep Squadron." Cannell later established his own production company, Stephen J. Cannell Productions. His productions include such programs as "The A-Team", "Stingray", and "Hardcastle and McCormick." He has a new novel called "The Plan."

Auster has been called "America's most spectacularly inventive writers." He recently "broadened his creative reach" with his work on two films, "Smoke" and "Blue in the Face,"in a double collaboration with director Wayne Wang , who also directed "The Joy Luck Club.” Auster's novels include "Moon Palace," "The Music of Chance," "Leviathan," and "Mr. Vertigo."

At age 46, Foreman still retains the title. He is presently a preacher, community leader and dedicated child advocate. His new book By George: The Autobiography of George Foreman (Villard Books) written with Joel Engel, reveals the man behind the champion.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews No Ordinary Time (Simon and Schuster) by Doris Kearns Goodwin and Babe (University of Illinois Press) by Susan E. Cayleff.

Child Advocate and Writer Geoffrey Canada's book, Fist Stick Knife Gun; A Personal History of Violence in America (Beacon Press), provides a look into the lives of children living in violence. Canada is President and CEO of Rheedlan Centers for Children and Families in New York. He is dedicated to serving at risk children in the inner-city.

Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, fell in love with Roald Sagdeev, who worked for the Soviet space program. She details the start to their politically fraught relationship in her new memoir, "Breaking Free."

Elkin was called "one of the most entertaining stylists in contemporary American fiction." His use of metaphor, "transforms grotesque situations and the drab vulgarity of popular consumer culture into comic affirmations of human existence." (from Contemporary Literary Criticism). His novels included, The MacGuffin, The Magic Kingdom, and others. Elkin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis twenty years ago and died of heart failure on Wednesday, May 31, 1995. We replay our 1993 interview with him. (Rebroadcast)

This nationally acclaimed comedian has recently released his book Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences. Pryor's memoir takes readers on a journey through his successful yet struggle-filled life. A strong man who has overcome such ordeals as a drug addiction, self immolation, and six marriages, Pryor is determined to overcome his most recent battle with multiple sclerosis.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews How 'Natives' Think, by Marshall Sahlins. It revisits the controversy surrounding anthropological analyses of James Cook's murder in Hawaii.

Stahl has a new memoir called Permanent Midnight. He was a successful journalist, a scriptwriter for cult film classics like "Cafe Flesh," and "Dr. Caligari," who went on to write for the hit TV shows "Moonlighting," "ALF" and "thirtysomething." Stahl was also a junkie. He writes,"You might say that success ruined me. You might say I ruined success."

Keneally is best known for his novel, Schindler's List which was put to film, by director Stephen Spielberg. His new novel, A River Town, is based on the story of his grandfather who left Ireland for Australia at the turn of the century. But in Australia he became the outsider. Keneally has written over 20 novels. He is a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine.

Banks' new novel is Rule of the Bone. It's been compared to Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because of it's young first-person narrator, and use of comedy to convey grim realities. Bank's narrator is 14 year-old Chappie from upstate New York who wears a nose ring and Mohawk. He steals from his parents to pay for dope, is kicked out of the house, and sets off on a low-life adventure.

Two men influential in their communities: Corner West, professor of Afro-American studies at Harvard, and author of Race Matters, and Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun, a magazine of Jewish political and social commentary, and author of Jewish Renewal. They have collaborated on the new book Jews & Blacks: Let the Healing Begin.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews The Distinguished Guest by Sue Miller. It's about the resentments of an adult child toward his parents.

Hanan Mikhail-Ashrwai, former spokesperson for the PLO from 1991 to 1993. Ashrawi was the chief spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation at the Middle East peace negotiations. There are two books about her life and her role in the peace process: her personal account, This Side of Peace, and A Voice of Reason: Hanan Ashrawi and Peace in the Middle East by Barbara Victor.

Biographer Barbara Leaming has written a new biography of Katharine Hepburn, which places the actress' life in the context of her family's history: one of tragic and political importance. Katherine Hepburn's grandfather committed suicide, as did her brother. Hepburn's mother was a major figure in the radical suffrage movement, and a friend of Margaret Sanger.

William Adler is author of, Land of Opportunity: One Family's Quest For The American Dream In The Age of Crack. It tells the story of the Chambers brothers, who moved to Detroit from Mississippi in the mid-80's in search of economic freedom. They found it by setting up the biggest drug business in the city -- complete with quality control, discounts, employee bonuses and a dress code.

Spencer's new book, Men In Black, was called "charmingly funny-sad" by the New York Times. His previous books include Last Night at the Brain Thieves' Ball, Endless Love, and Waking the Dead.