America

Conversation: Ralph Ellison's Unfinished Novel Gets Some Visibility

By Arts Desk

Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man," his first novel, is widely-considered one of the great works of modern literature. After it came out in 1952, Ellison wrote and wrote, and readers waited and waited, but a second novel never came. When he…

Good Grief: Style and the 'Single Man'

Based on the 1964 Christopher Isherwood novel of the same name, "A Single Man" is the cinematic debut of Tom Ford, an artist who, until now, was known for his role as creative director at fashion house Gucci. His foray…

Wednesday on the NewsHour: NEA Chief Rocco Landesman

By Arts Desk

Wednesday on the PBS NewsHour, a conversation with Rocco Landesman, the former Broadway Producer who became the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts this past August.

Everyone Smile and Say, 'Democracy!'

The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words may indeed be true, but photographer Joe Sohm has found that it has taken him thousands of pictures to capture just one word: democracy.

'Empire of Liberty' Delves Into Early U.S. History

Jeffrey Brown talks to historian Gordon Wood about his new book "Empire of Liberty," which looks at the lasting legacy of early American history.

Continue watching

Conversation: Robert Kimball, Author of 'Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer'

By Arts Desk

On Wednesday, prolific songwriter and singer Johnny Mercer would have turned 100. In his lifetime, he worked with more than 200 collaborators and churned out lyrics for more than 1,500 songs for both Broadway and the silver screen, which were…

Conversation: James Gavin, Author of New Lena Horne Biography

For many decades, Lena Horne was one of the best known and loved entertainers in the world, known for her talent and beauty.

Southern Exposure

The Big Surprise Tour -- a musical ode to string band fiddling, working man's music and American folk troubadours -- began earlier this month in New Hampshire and is headed down to Nashville.

Conversation: Remembering John Hughes

With the early death of writer and director John Hughes at 59 yesterday, America lost one of the most vivid voices to come out of (and help define) the 1980s.