E-mail a friendAugust 18, 2004
original airdate May 25, 2004
Writer Gore Vidal explores the compatibility of freedom of speech and criticism of the government. Rapper Talib Kweli wants to bridge the gap between underground and mainstream artists.
Gore Vidal
Gore Vidal
Gore Vidal has been called one of the great stylists of contemporary American prose. The prolific author was 19 when his first novel debuted and has gone on to great success - 25 novels, seven plays, numerous short stories, more than 200 essays and innumerable television and movie scripts. Often controversial, Vidal deals with a range of subjects from issues of national interest to people he's known. At age 81, his newest book is Point to Point Navigation, a follow-up to his '95 memoir Palimpsest.
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Rapper Talib Kweli has a reputation as one of hip-hop's most poetic MCs and a socially conscious artist. He established himself with the groups Black Star and Reflection Eternal before moving on to solo projects. The new CD, 'Eardrum,' is his first to be released on his Blacksmith Music imprint—a venture with his manager and Warner Bros., which will also record indie artists like Jean Grae. The Brooklyn, NY native is also on the ‘07 Rock The Bells tour, with acts such as Mos Def, The Roots and Nas.