National Book Award winner Andrea Barrett writes some of the most beautiful fiction we know about scientists. The stories in her new collection, "Archangel" explore the history of knowledge through five linked characters. After reading it, we're awfully glad she gave up biology to write fiction.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
"Independent People" by Halldór Laxness reviewed by author David Mitchell ("Cloud Atlas")
Eugene Mirman is an indie comic and the author of an outlandish self-help send-up called "The Will to Whatevs." He tells Jim Fleming that school was horrible for him and gave rise to his nerd humor.
Rapper Baba Brinkman tells Anne Strainchamps that Geoffrey Chaucer’s work has a lot in common with the language of hip hop music.
A philosopher and musician enjoys playing his clarinet with animals, especially whales.
Donald Waller is a deer hunter and teaches at the University of Wisconsin. He tells Steve Paulson about the role hunting has played in the conservation movement.
Filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi followed Youssou N'Dour and his band after the album came out and produced a documentary called "I Bring What I Love."
He traveled the Amazon in search of drug-induced visionary experiences. That wild adventure led to a lifelong study of hallucinogens.
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