Fresh Air

Topics from the Most Recent Show

• Chuck Todd Examines 'How Barack Obama Won'
  NBC's newly appointed chief White House correspondent talks with Dave Davies about his new book, <em>How Barack Obama Won: A State-by-State Guide to the Historic 2008 Presidential Election.</em>
• 'National Geographic' Mines 'The Real Price Of Gold'
  The price of gold has risen 235 percent in the past eight years, but as journalist Brook Larmer and photographer Randy Olson report in this month's <em>National Geographic,</em> the environmental and human costs related to the mineral have never been higher.
• Philippe Sands Considers A Legacy Of 'Torture'
  In his 2008 book, <em>Torture Team</em>, British lawyer Philippe Sands accuses the Bush administration of condoning harsh interrogation techniques.
• Screening The 'Homefront': War Musicals On DVD
  <em>The Homefront Collection,</em> a new DVD set from Warner Home Video, showcases three World War II-era Hollywood musicals: <em>This Is the Army,</em> <em>Thank Your Lucky Stars</em> and <em>Hollywood Canteen.</em>
• Lingering Love And Loss In 'Lark & Termite'
  Maureen Corrigan reviews Jayne Anne Phillips' <em>Lark & Termite,</em> a novel that weaves together the story of an American soldier fighting (and dying) in Korea in 1950, with that of his family struggling with their loss nine years later.
• Donald Westlake: Hard-Boiled To The End
  The award-winning mystery writer died from a heart attack on Dec. 31 at the age of 75. Westlake wrote more than 100 novels and numerous screenplays, including the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for <em>The Grifters.</em>
• A 'Postcard' View Of China's Global Prominence
  Journalist James Fallows explores China's recent rise to power and what it means for the US in his new book of essays, <em>Postcards Tomorrow Square. </em>
• 'All You Need': Pop-Music History Comes to DVD
  <em>All You Need Is Love,</em> Tony Palmer's 17-part history of popular music, distilled more than 1,000 hours of footage into just under 15 hours of indelible TV. Now it's been released as a 5-DVD set. <em>Fresh Air</em>'s rock historian has a review.
• Temple Grandin On 'The Best Life For Animals'
  In her new book, <em>Animals Make Us Human</em>, Temple Grandin examines common notions of animal happiness and concludes that dogs, cats, horses, cows and zoo animals &mdash; among other creatures &mdash; possess an emotional system akin to that of humans.
• Helen Suzman, Anti-Apartheid Crusader, Dies At 91
  A pioneering political leader in the fight against apartheid, for 13 years Suzman was the sole representative in South Africa's all-white Parliament to reject race discrimination. She died Thursday at 91.
• Josh Brolin Takes On The Legacy Of 'W.'
  His starring role as George W. Bush in the Oliver Stone film <em>W.</em> was just one in a series of high-profile jobs for Josh Brolin &mdash; including the Oscar-winner <em>No Country for Old Men</em>. He was also seen last year in <em>American Gangster</em> and <em>In The Valley of Elah.</em>
• Seth Rogen, Not Such A Loser In Real Life
  The <em>Pineapple Express</em> star often portrays less successful members of society &mdash; but he's hardly one of them. The actor and screenwriter had four Hollywood projects out in the summer of 2008.
• Music Producer Jerry Ragovoy
  Rock historian Ed Ward appraises the life and work of Philadelphia music producer Jerry Ragovoy.
• Steve Martin Memoir Recalls A Past Life
  The comedian, actor and author Steve Martin looks back on his life as a stand-up comic and talks about how he put some distance between himself and the person he used to be.
• R.E.M's Accelerated Comeback
  Singer Michael, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills came together in Athens, Ga., in 1980 to form the group R.E.M. This year, the band released <em>Accelerate</em>, its 14th album.