He recently produced a set of CDs for the BBC that include rare recordings of the prominent writers.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a visionary economist who founded the micro-credit movement and India's Grameen Bank.
Marilyn Johnson talks about how librarians are emerging as heroes of the digital age because of their love for the written word, free speech and open access.
Author John D'Agata and fact-checker Jim Fingal talk about the boundaries of literary nonfiction as chronicled in their book, "The Lifespan of a Fact."
Patricia Smith is an African American who's the four-time champion of the National Poetry Slam.
A commercial fisherman and wilderness guide in the Pacific Northwest, he set out to spend a year living within 60 miles of his home.
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.
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.
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