If you really want to get a feel for Isaac Newton - perhaps history's greatest scientist - the best way is to see his original manuscripts at Cambridge University Library. But they're so valuable, it's hard to get permission to look at them. They did let Steve Paulson in, but only in the company of 4 archivists, plus Newton historian Sarah Dry.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
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James Bradley tells what happened on the next island over from Iwo Jima, where eight American airmen were captured and beheaded.
Hugh Masakela is a dreamer who longed for personal artistic expression and freedom for his people.
In Israel, writer D.A. Mishani is breaking new ground by writing crime fiction. Why are there so few detective novels written in Hebrew? Mishani explains.
James McManus writes for Harpers. With an advance from the magazine, he entered the world series of poker. McManus talks about playing with professionals and muses on the balance of luck and skill required for tournament play.
Ilan Stavans explains how speaking four languages give him a sense of self.
Jai Uttal leads kirtans around the world. Kirtan is the Indian practice of ecstatic chant that combines music and devotion.
In this segment, NPR correspondent Howard Berkes, who is based in Salt Lake City, tells Jim Fleming what it’s like to ride a luge and a bobsled.
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