Books & Authors

Jan. 17, 2014

Former health care CEO argues America's medical system rewards bad outcomes

One man's mission to restore The Beatles' BBC recordings
Jan. 1, 2014
You might be surprised to learn that the The Beatles' BBC performances were not archived. Kevin Howlett, a BBC radio producer and co-producer of their new album "On Air: Live at the BBC, Volume Two," spent 30 years trying to find them all. His book, "The Beatles: The BBC Archive," is filled with archival photos and interviews.
Scholar reflects on poetic odyssey to bring medieval Persian verse to the West
Dec. 31, 2013
The works of 14th century Persian poet Hafez are iconic in Iran. Poet and scholar Dick Davis has spent years bringing the medieval writer's words to the West. Jeffrey Brown talks to Davis about his experiences with Persian culture, the challenges of translating and his new book, "Faces of Love: Hafez and the Poets of Shiraz."
Former university chancellor offers memoir of moving on at Ole Miss
Dec. 31, 2013
During his time as chancellor of the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, Robert Khayat made moves to repair the university's segregated past, drawing backlash for his efforts. Judy Woodruff talked to Khayat about his memoir, "The Education of a Lifetime," and what he learned about human nature along the way.
What the 2012 election can teach us about 2014 and beyond
Dec. 30, 2013
As the first year of President Obama's second term draws to a close, Gwen Ifill talks to Mark Halperin of Time magazine and John Heilemann of New York magazine about their new book, "Double Down: Game Change 2012," for insight into the people who shaped the 2012 election and what that election says about races to come.
Tracking the breakdown of American social institutions in 'The Unwinding'
Dec. 26, 2013
Have the institutional fabrics that used to ensure average citizens a secure place in American society come unraveled in the last few decades? Jeffrey Brown talks to George Packer about his award-winning book, "The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America," and the growing social stratification in the U.S.
Writer Jay Parini considers how people experience God through the story of Jesus
Dec. 25, 2013
A writer rather than a religious scholar, Jay Parini has written a new book, "Jesus: The Human Face of God," that explores how Jesus not only created a world religion but changed history. Jeffrey Brown talks to Parini about his different take on the story of Jesus.
A Poetic Odyssey: Dick Davis translates Hafez in "Faces of Love"
Dec. 24, 2013
According to Dick Davis, a medieval Persian literature scholar and author of "Faces of Love," Hafez is the poetry world's version of Bach. "People say that Bach sort of gathered together everything that had gone before him in music and brought it into a new kind of stage. Hafez did the same with the conventions of lyric poetry."
Journalist Ari Shavit wrestles with complexity of Israel in 'My Promised Land'
Dec. 20, 2013
In the decades since its founding, the nation of Israel has seen wars, violent uprisings and attempts to negotiate peace. Margaret Warner sits down with Ari Shavit to discuss his new book, "My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel" and his own personal journey understanding and acknowledging its history.
The art of bringing British drama to American screens with 'Masterpiece'
Dec. 17, 2013
As executive producer of "Masterpiece" on PBS, Rebecca Eaton has been feeding America's appetite for British drama for the last 25 years. Jeffrey Brown talks to Eaton about her new book, "Making Masterpiece," and the decisionmaking process behind hits such as "Upstairs, Downstairs," "The Forsyte Saga" and "Downton Abbey."
The magic behind 'Masterpiece': Rebecca Eaton on bringing British dramas to PBS
Dec. 17, 2013
Rebecca Eaton grew up an Anglophile, reading British novels and "pretending to be the heroines." That passion helped groom her for her decades-long tenure as the executive producer of PBS's Masterpiece Theatre. "Making Masterpiece: 25 years behind the scenes at Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! On PBS" is her story.
How Johnny Cash spoke to the heart of America
Dec. 16, 2013
Longtime music writer Robert Hilburn was inspired to write his new book, "Johnny Cash: The Life," after finding that other biographies didn't tell the full story. Jeffrey Brown talks to Hilburn about the legendary musician's authenticity and gift for storytelling, as well as the well-known personal battles of the "Man in Black."
Music writer Robert Hilburn on the love, artistry and comeback of Johnny Cash
Dec. 16, 2013
Robert Hilburn was the only music journalist at Johnny Cash's famous 1968 concert at Folsom Prison. He was also the last person to interview Cash with his wife, June Carter Cash, before they died in 2003. With that intimate, long-term knowledge, Hilburn reconstructs the story of the iconic musician in "Johnny Cash: The Life."
Ann Patchett lets readers into her personal life in new collection of essays
Dec. 13, 2013
For author Ann Patchett, writing fiction is hard but non-fiction is easy. In a new collection of essays, "This is the Story of a Happy Marriage," Patchett reveals her personal side and reviews her education as a writer. Jeffrey Brown talks to Patchett about the themes she covers, from writing advice to relationships.
James McBride's 'The Good Lord Bird' offers 'room to laugh' at difficult history
Dec. 2, 2013
In "The Good Lord Bird," writer James McBride offers a retelling of the history surrounding abolitionist John Brown and his failed raid at Harpers Ferry. Jeffrey Brown talks to McBride, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for fiction, about what drew him to the topic and what makes it "ripe" for a humorous rewriting.
James McBride on Slavery, Humor and 'Hee-Haw Chit Chat' in 'The Good Lord Bird'
Dec. 2, 2013
"I had to create something that would allow people room to laugh at things they can't really talk about easily," said James McBride about his National Book Award winner "The Good Lord Bird." The humorous book, set in pre-Civil War Kansas territory, follows abolitionist John Brown through the eyes of a young slave boy.
How Norman Rockwell held a mirror up to American ambitions and common values
Nov. 28, 2013
Art historians have often dismissed Norman Rockwell as merely a commercial illustration artist. But Deborah Solomon, author of "American Mirror," says Rockwell "mirrored what (Americans) wanted to be" and gave the nation a common culture. Solomon joins Jeffrey Brown to discuss Rockwell's influence and legacy.
Food writer Paula Wolfert reflects on cooking to cope with Alzheimer's
Nov. 26, 2013
Award-winning cookbook author Paula Wolfert can't remember all of the ingredients in her recipes anymore, but she still knows how her dishes should taste. Hoping to delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease, Wolfert copes by continuing to cook. Judy Woodruff reports on why Wolfert wants more people to declare their memory loss.
Gov. Scott Walker on how state governance can be a model for Washington
Nov. 26, 2013
In 2012, Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., faced a recall election and won. In his new book, "Unintimidated," Walker writes about facing political pressure from public sector unions while trying to implement change in his state. Jeffrey Brown caught up with Walker to discuss what lessons he learned during his battle to stay in office.
Celebrating a Literary Giant: The 50th anniversary of C.S. Lewis's Death
Nov. 22, 2013
Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis, the man behind the beloved children's novels "The Chronicles of Narnia." Gregory Maguire, author of "Wicked," helped commemorate the day by talking to chief arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown about the Narnia series and C.S. Lewis's influence on the world of fantasy.
Narnia through the Ages: 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' covers
Nov. 22, 2013
In October of 1950, the first of seven fantasy novels in the Narnia series was published. C.S. Lewis has since influenced and affected generations of readers and writers. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lewis's death, we take a look back "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" covers over the years.
From the archives: Doris Lessing's unfinished business with 'Ben, in the World'
Nov. 18, 2013
In 2000, Ray Suarez interviewed Doris Lessing about "Ben in the World," a science fiction novel that continued the story of a young man striking out on his own path. As the sequel to her 1988 novel, "The Fifth Child," Lessing told Suarez about what made her take up Ben's story again, more than a decade after the first book.
Ann Patchett gets personal in 'This is the Story of a Happy Marriage'
Nov. 15, 2013
"Nonfiction is easy and fiction is hard." That's according to author Ann Patchett. " Her new book, "This is the Story of a Happy Marriage," collects autobiographical essays that reflect on, yes, her husband, but also writing, her friends, opening a bookstore and the other details that make up her life and experience.
For 'Portrait of Julia,' Robert MacNeil paints art-full tale
Nov. 14, 2013
In his latest novel, NewsHour's own Robert MacNeil revisits a character he created 20 years ago: a young widow and painter living in post-WWI Canada. Jeffrey Brown sits down with MacNeil to discuss his use of art to frame "Portrait of Julia" and how the novel approaches concepts of love and trust in human relationships.
Robert MacNeil on his new novel 'Portrait of Julia'
Nov. 14, 2013
Set in 1920 Halifax, "Portrait of Julia" follows Julia Robertson, the young war widow featured in the bestselling book "Burden of Desire." In his fourth novel, Robert MacNeil, longtime anchor and executive editor of the PBS NewsHour, Julia ventures out into a new world, filled with radical ideas.
Dick Cheney reflects on how medical care kept him active despite heart disease
Nov. 12, 2013
From his first heart attack at age 37 to a full transplant in 2012, Dick Cheney says he's proud to have lived an active life despite battling heart disease. Gwen Ifill sits down with the former vice president, author of "Heart: An American Medical Odyssey," to discuss how his health concerns affected his time in office.

Kate DiCamillo wants to spread the joy of reading

Jan. 10, 2014

Kate DiCamillo wasn't always a writer. She started writing when she was 30 years old. It took her six years to publish, but it was her dream so she kept trying. Now, DiCamillo is the author "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "Tale of Despereaux" and she is the newly appointed National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.

The ambitions and insecurities of literary giant Norman Mailer

Jan. 8, 2014

Why the next wave of Arab awakening should be waged for pluralism

Jan. 9, 2014

What Burke and Paine teach us about the roots of political division in America

Jan. 1, 2014

How and where did partisanship -- now prevalent in American politics -- originate? Judy Woodruff talks to Yuval Levin about his new book, "The Great Debate: Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, and the Birth of Right and Left," early instances of the divide between right and left and how we can apply lessons of history to debates today.