Nov 22 Watch 7:21 This author is challenging what we know about Ulysses Grant and the Civil War By PBS News Hour Ulysses S. Grant led the Union’s victory in the civil war before serving two terms as president. Was he a brutal general and incompetent president — or a brilliant strategist who should be praised for his foresight? Ron Chernow, who… Continue watching
Nov 21 Watch 7:16 Donna Brazile: Bailing out DNC gave Clinton campaign control, ‘made my job impossible’ By PBS News Hour Donna Brazile, a veteran political consultant who became the DNC’s interim chair during the 2016 campaign, had a front-row seat to what happened and offers her take in a new book, "Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns… Continue watching
Nov 17 Watch 8:42 How Microsoft’s CEO has ‘hit refresh’ in business and in life By PBS News Hour What are the hard questions that CEOs need to grapple with in order to renew and rethink business? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his new book, “Hit Refresh,” as well as how he’s learned empathy from… Continue watching
Nov 14 Watch 7:01 How Amy Tan’s family stories made her a storyteller By Jeffrey Brown Amy Tan was going to write a book about writing. But what came to her mind instead were memories of childhood, reflections on family treasures, photos, documents. In “Where The Past Begins: A Writer’s Memoir,” Tan explores revelations about her… Continue watching
Nov 10 5 memoirs about family you need to read, from Amy Tan By Elizabeth Flock Amy Tan often explores the fraught relationship between mothers and daughters in her writing, including in her new memoir. Here are 5 other memoirs about family that she recommends. Continue reading
Nov 09 Watch 5:59 When Alec Baldwin plays the president, Trump ‘is the head writer’ By PBS News Hour Alec Baldwin first played then-candidate Donald Trump in October 2016 and assumed the parody would last until the election, but the actor continues to be a recurring guest on Saturday Night Live and an outspoken critic of the president. Baldwin… Continue watching
Oct 27 Watch 7:18 Jesmyn Ward’s ‘Sing, Unburied, Sing’ is a ghost story about the real struggles of living By PBS News Hour Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward writes the stories of the people and places she found absent in literature while growing up. Her new fiction novel, “Sing, Unburied, Sing,” weaves the supernatural with genuine characters that are molded by the rural and… Continue watching
Oct 25 Watch 9:32 Tom Hanks on the ‘high wire act’ of writing By PBS News Hour Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks is crossing over into the world of literature with a new collection of short stories that explore how people seek connections with others. The first-time author sits down with Jeffrey Brown to discuss his book, “Uncommon… Continue watching
Oct 24 Watch 8:17 The uncommon mastermind behind Mona Lisa’s smile By PBS News Hour Leonardo da Vinci’s inquisitive spirit defined the quintessential “renaissance man.” The master artist, scientist and inventor is now the subject of a new biography by Walter Isaacson, who has profiled geniuses including Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs. Isaacson and Judy… Continue watching
Oct 23 Watch 6:33 Literary heir to ‘Dragon Tattoo’ aims to deepen the enigma of Lisbeth Salander By PBS News Hour “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” was the beginning of a bestselling series of thrillers, published after author Stieg Larsson’s death. Recently, Swedish journalist and writer David Lagercrantz was tapped to continue the series. Lagercrantz joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss… Continue watching