He recently produced a set of CDs for the BBC that include rare recordings of the prominent writers.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Josh Rushing spent 14 years as a Marine and was the spokesman for the U.S. Central Command to the entire Arab world. He now works for Al Jazeera's English language service.
Patricia Smith is an African American who's the four-time champion of the National Poetry Slam.
How did religion ever get started in the first place? We talked to renowned sociologist Robert Bellah shortly before he died. He said religion isn't about belief in God. Its origins go back to the rituals of our ancient ancestors, and ultimately to play.
James McBride won the National Book Award for "The Good Lord Bird," his novel about the abolitionist John Brown. He explains why he doesn't like most fictional portraits of slavery and how he tried to tell a different story.
The French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, was presented with a Freedom on Expression award from the PEN American Center this week. Six high-profile writers boycotted the awards ceremony at PEN's big annual gala. Hundreds more protested, while others gave the magazine's editors a standing ovation. The chariman of the PEN World Voices Festival is Colm Toibin, the celebrated Irish novelist. Toibin shares his thoughs on the controversy.
Jason Reitman wrote and directed the film "Thank You for Smoking." We hear some very funny and totally subversive clips.
Pullman speaks with Steve Paulson about the fictional world he's created.
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