For centuries, the oddities of nature - like two-headed cats and conjoined twins - fascinated people. Science historian Lorraine Daston says a history of wonders is to some degree a history of pre-modern science.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Patricia O’Connor tells Jim Fleming there’s nothing wrong with splitting an infinitive and that people should stop trying to make English behave like Latin.
Kumail Nanjiani is a Pakistani standup comedian living in Chicago and performing a one-man show called "Unpronounceable."
Keli Carender is a Seattle area blogger considered by many to be the very first Tea Party activist. She tells Steve Paulson what the first protests were like.
Marla Cilley tells Anne Strainchamps that an orderly house begins with a clean, shiny kitchen sink, and that women should wear lace up shoes so that they’re ready for anything.
Peggy Orenstein tells Jim Fleming about her ambivalence about having children, her difficulties becoming pregnant, and her adventures with fertility treatments.
Jason Goodwin won the Edgar Award for "The Janissary Tree," his first novel featuring Yashim Togalu, a eunuch who lives in 19th century Istanbul. Yashim is back in "The Snake Stone."
Mikael Niemi is the author of the best selling book in Swedish history. "Popular Music from Vittula" is a poignant coming of age story and its author talks with Steve Paulson.
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