Fresh Air
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Fresh Air

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy...

Episodes 879
Books 1,286
Lifeform Cover

Jenny Slate

Lifeform

The book was a collection of essays that covered the same ground as her comedy special, exploring pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with surrealist humor.

"

Her new book of essays, Lifeform, covers some of the same ground.

— Episode: Jenny Slate Finds Strength In Sensitivit...

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Episode: Jenny Slate Finds Strength In Sensitivity

The book was a collection of essays that covered the same ground as her comedy special, exploring pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with surrealist humor.

"

Her new book of essays, Lifeform, covers some of the same ground.

But critic Thomas Floyd of the Washington Post writes of the book that Slate wields dream logic and other devices to unpack the same experience in surrealist fashion.

The comic and actor has a new book of essays that cover the same ground as her comedy special Season Professional.

The new book is titled Life Form.

The American Way of Death Revisited Cover

Jessica Mitford

The American Way of Death Revisited

The book was highlighted as Mitford's bestknown investigative work that exposed how the funeral industry exploited grieving families and became a bestseller after its 1963 publication.

"

Jessica Mitford was famous for several reasons. One reason was her investigative books, including her bestknown one, The American Way of Death, published in 1963. It revealed how the funeral industry...

— Episode: Remembering Lyricist Alan Bergman / The...

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Episode: Remembering Lyricist Alan Bergman / The 'Outrageou...

The book was highlighted as Mitford's bestknown investigative work that exposed how the funeral industry exploited grieving families and became a bestseller after its 1963 publication.

"

Jessica Mitford was famous for several reasons. One reason was her investigative books, including her bestknown one, The American Way of Death, published in 1963. It revealed how the funeral industry was financially taking advantage of griefstricken Americans.

Jessica Mitford, let's talk a little bit about your writing. You're best known for the book, The American Way of Death, your expose of the funeral industry.

After writing The American Way of Death, did you find yourself in the position of having to genuinely prepare somebody's funeral and having to shop for real in the funeral industry?

Me: Elton John Official Autobiography Cover

Elton John

Me

Elton John Official Autobiography

The memoir "Me" was noted for its candid description of Elton John's life, covering his early lessons, childhood, and personal struggles.

"

when he'd just written his Memoir titled Me.

— Episode: Someone Once Told Elton John He Would Ne...

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Episode: Someone Once Told Elton John He Would Never Be A P...

The memoir "Me" was noted for its candid description of Elton John's life, covering his early lessons, childhood, and personal struggles.

"

when he'd just written his Memoir titled Me.

So the book has a very candid description of your life.

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother Cover

James McBride

The Color of Water

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

The host noted it as one of McBride's earlier novels.

"

James McBride, who also wrote the novels The Color of Water and The Good Lord Bird.

— Episode: Christopher Nolan On 'Oppenheimer'

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Episode: Christopher Nolan On 'Oppenheimer'

The host noted it as one of McBride's earlier novels.

"

James McBride, who also wrote the novels The Color of Water and The Good Lord Bird.

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief Cover

Lawrence Wright

Going Clear

Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

Wright's investigative work examined the inner workings of Scientology and its influence on members and critics.

"

and Going Clear, his book about Scientology.

— Episode: Lawrence Wright On 'Mr. Texas'

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Episode: Lawrence Wright On 'Mr. Texas'

Wright's investigative work examined the inner workings of Scientology and its influence on members and critics.

"

and Going Clear, his book about Scientology.

Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing Cover

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

Assassination Generation

Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing

The title was mentioned when the guest recalled borrowing the book from a fellow Marine's barracks.

"

There was one time I dropped into a colleague's barracks room to borrow a book, The Psychology of Killing.

— Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extre...

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Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extremes

The title was mentioned when the guest recalled borrowing the book from a fellow Marine's barracks.

"

There was one time I dropped into a colleague's barracks room to borrow a book, The Psychology of Killing.

Candide (Mint Editions (Humorous and Satirical Narratives)) Cover

Voltaire

Candide (Mint Editions (Humorous and Satirical Narratives))

The program listed Candide among Leonard Bernstein's Broadway scores, indicating it as one of the works featured in the discussion.

"

His most popular music was the music he wrote for Broadway musicals, including On the Town, Wonderful Town, West Side Story, and Candide.

— Episode: Bradley Cooper & Yannick Nézet-Séguin On...

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Episode: Bradley Cooper & Yannick Nézet-Séguin On 'Maestro'

The program listed Candide among Leonard Bernstein's Broadway scores, indicating it as one of the works featured in the discussion.

"

His most popular music was the music he wrote for Broadway musicals, including On the Town, Wonderful Town, West Side Story, and Candide.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead Cover

Sheryl Sandberg

Lean In

Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

The memoir was noted as something Loomer had read after being banned from Facebook before she staged a protest at Facebook's headquarters.

"

And then in another instance, she, having been banned from Facebook, having read also Sheryl Sandberg's memoir, Lean In, she goes to the Facebook offices in California and sort of tri...

— Episode: Who Is Laura Loomer, Trump's 'Loyalty En...

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Episode: Who Is Laura Loomer, Trump's 'Loyalty Enforcer'?

The memoir was noted as something Loomer had read after being banned from Facebook before she staged a protest at Facebook's headquarters.

"

And then in another instance, she, having been banned from Facebook, having read also Sheryl Sandberg's memoir, Lean In, she goes to the Facebook offices in California and sort of tries to insinuate herself into their workplace environment saying, you know, I'm leaning in. I just want to be here. I just want to be heard. Why don't you want me here?

Don Quixote Cover

Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote

Herzog referenced Don Quixote as another literary example of a grand metaphor while discussing extreme pursuits.

"

there is a big metaphor like in literature you have it, for example, the white whale, Moby Dick, and the hunt for it or Don Quixote attacking the windmills with his lance.

— Episode: Werner Herzog

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Episode: Werner Herzog

Herzog referenced Don Quixote as another literary example of a grand metaphor while discussing extreme pursuits.

"

there is a big metaphor like in literature you have it, for example, the white whale, Moby Dick, and the hunt for it or Don Quixote attacking the windmills with his lance.

The passing of the great race; or, The racial basis of European history Cover

Madison Grant

The passing of the great race; or, The racial basis of European history

The book, a racist bestseller from the early 20thcentury, was noted for having garnered a fan letter from Adolf Hitler.

"

whose racist bestseller The Passing of the Great Race garnered a fan letter from Adolf Hitler, were all simultaneous residents of the Burrough.

— Episode: How Donald Trump Changed Federal Law Enf...

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Episode: How Donald Trump Changed Federal Law Enforcement

The book, a racist bestseller from the early 20thcentury, was noted for having garnered a fan letter from Adolf Hitler.

"

whose racist bestseller The Passing of the Great Race garnered a fan letter from Adolf Hitler, were all simultaneous residents of the Burrough.

True Grit: A Novel Cover

Charles Portis

True Grit

A Novel

The classic novel True Grit by CharlesPortis was highlighted in the 'Books We've Loved' segment as a notable work.

"

we're headed to the open range with Morning Edition's Michelle Martin to break down Charles Portis' classic True Grit.

— Episode: Richard Linklater: 'Filmmaking Is Proble...

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Episode: Richard Linklater: 'Filmmaking Is Problem Solving'

The classic novel True Grit by CharlesPortis was highlighted in the 'Books We've Loved' segment as a notable work.

"

we're headed to the open range with Morning Edition's Michelle Martin to break down Charles Portis' classic True Grit.

Fleishman Is in Trouble: A Novel Cover

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Fleishman Is in Trouble

A Novel

Fleishman Is in Trouble was mentioned as BrodesserAkner's first bestselling novel that she adapted into an FX/Hulu limited series.

"

She adapted her first bestselling book, Fleishman Is in Trouble, and to the FX on Hulu series under the same name where she served as the writer, showrunner, and executive producer.

— Episode: Taffy Brodesser-Akner Writes Real People...

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Episode: Taffy Brodesser-Akner Writes Real People — Not Lik...

Fleishman Is in Trouble was mentioned as BrodesserAkner's first bestselling novel that she adapted into an FX/Hulu limited series.

"

She adapted her first bestselling book, Fleishman Is in Trouble, and to the FX on Hulu series under the same name where she served as the writer, showrunner, and executive producer.

She is also the writer, showrunner and executive producer of the FX on Hulu limited series Fleischman Is in Trouble, an adaptation of her first bestselling novel.

She's the author of the FX/Hulu limited series Fleischman Is in Trouble, an adaptation of her first bestselling novel.

Taffy BrodesserAkner adapted her previous novel, Fleishman Is in Trouble, into a limited FX series on Hulu.

Even This I Get to Experience Cover

Norman Lear

Even This I Get to Experience

Norman Lear's autobiography was mentioned as the book he had written when he was interviewed in 2014.

"

Terry Gross spoke with Norman Lear in 2014, when he had written his autobiography, Even This I Get to Experience.

— Episode: Remembering Norman Lear

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Episode: Remembering Norman Lear

Norman Lear's autobiography was mentioned as the book he had written when he was interviewed in 2014.

"

Terry Gross spoke with Norman Lear in 2014, when he had written his autobiography, Even This I Get to Experience.

Hardball: A Season in the Projects Cover

Daniel Coyle

Hardball

A Season in the Projects

The work was referenced as David Graham's new book that examines the political playbook behind contemporary policies.

"

Graham's new book is The Project.

— Episode: How Trauma Shapes Us

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Episode: How Trauma Shapes Us

The work was referenced as David Graham's new book that examines the political playbook behind contemporary policies.

"

Graham's new book is The Project.

Go Tell It on the Mountain: Introduction by Edwidge Danticat (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series) Cover

James Baldwin

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Introduction by Edwidge Danticat (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)

The discussion highlighted Baldwin's novel Go Tell It On The Mountain as a fairly autobiographical work and listed it among his best-known books.

"

His essays and novels addressed racial issues head on. Baldwin's best known works include Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni's Room, Nobody Knows My Name, The Fire Next Time, and An...

— Episode: Remembering Freedom Singer Bernice Johns...

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Episode: Remembering Freedom Singer Bernice Johnson Reagon

The discussion highlighted Baldwin's novel Go Tell It On The Mountain as a fairly autobiographical work and listed it among his best-known books.

"

His essays and novels addressed racial issues head on. Baldwin's best known works include Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni's Room, Nobody Knows My Name, The Fire Next Time, and Another Country.

Go Tell It on the Mountain was a fairly autobiographical novel.

The Good Lord Bird (National Book Award Winner): A Novel Cover

James McBride

The Good Lord Bird (National Book Award Winner)

A Novel

The host noted it as another of McBride's notable works.

"

James McBride, who also wrote the novels The Color of Water and The Good Lord Bird.

— Episode: Christopher Nolan On 'Oppenheimer'

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Christopher Nolan On 'Oppenheimer'

The host noted it as another of McBride's notable works.

"

James McBride, who also wrote the novels The Color of Water and The Good Lord Bird.

The Phantom Tollbooth Cover

Norton Juster

The Phantom Tollbooth

The interview noted that JulesFeiffer had illustrated the classic children's book The Phantom Tollbooth.

"

He illustrated the classic children's book The Phantom Tollbooth.

— Episode: Trump's Foray Into Cryptocurrency

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Episode: Trump's Foray Into Cryptocurrency

The interview noted that JulesFeiffer had illustrated the classic children's book The Phantom Tollbooth.

"

He illustrated the classic children's book The Phantom Tollbooth.

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 Cover

Lawrence Wright

The Looming Tower

Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11

Wright's PulitzerPrizewinning nonfiction traced the rise of alQaeda and set a new standard for investigative history.

"

Wright is probably best known for his Pulitzer Prizewinning book, The Looming Tower, about the rise of AlQaeda.

— Episode: Lawrence Wright On 'Mr. Texas'

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Episode: Lawrence Wright On 'Mr. Texas'

Wright's PulitzerPrizewinning nonfiction traced the rise of alQaeda and set a new standard for investigative history.

"

Wright is probably best known for his Pulitzer Prizewinning book, The Looming Tower, about the rise of AlQaeda.

Psycho Cover

Robert Bloch

Psycho

The film was noted as being based on Bloch's novel, which was described as being only a couple of pages long in the part of the interview discussing the source material.

"

It was based on a book by Robert Block.

— Episode: A Look Back At Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’

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Episode: A Look Back At Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’

The film was noted as being based on Bloch's novel, which was described as being only a couple of pages long in the part of the interview discussing the source material.

"

It was based on a book by Robert Block.

Well, actually, in the novel, it's only two pages.

Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter Cover

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn

Coal Miner's Daughter

The memoir was noted as the source material for the 1980 film about Lynn's life, describing her upbringing in poverty in eastern Kentucky.

"

The film was adapted from Lynn's memoir, which described how she grew up in poverty in eastern Kentucky, became a wife at age 15, and after having four children, started writing songs and performing.

— Episode: Grand Ole Opry At 100: Earl Scruggs & Lo...

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Episode: Grand Ole Opry At 100: Earl Scruggs & Loretta Lynn

The memoir was noted as the source material for the 1980 film about Lynn's life, describing her upbringing in poverty in eastern Kentucky.

"

The film was adapted from Lynn's memoir, which described how she grew up in poverty in eastern Kentucky, became a wife at age 15, and after having four children, started writing songs and performing.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.