The Brian Lehrer Show

Courtesy of the artist, Xiaoze Xie and the <a href="http://www.cowlesgallery.com/xie/06/XX12544.html" target="_blank">Charles Cowles Gallery</a> in New York.

Courtesy of the artist, Xiaoze Xie and the Charles Cowles Gallery in New York.

Reading at Risk

Friday, December 21, 2007

A National Endowment for the Arts report indicates that our country is reading less and less. Historian David McCullough weighs in on the importance of teaching literature. Then, The New Yorker’s Caleb Crain wonders what would happen if we dropped books for good. Plus, a look back at Joseph Bruno’s rocky year.

See the list of books mentioned on Wednesday's 2007 Book Review show

Listen to the whole show

Should the CIA Tapes Have Been Destroyed?

Michael Isikoff, investigative correspondent for Newsweek, on the latest in the CIA tapes controversy.

Looking Back at Bruno

Wayne Barrett, investigative reporter for The Village Voice and Dean Skelos, New York State Senator (R- 9th District - Southwest Nassau County) and deputy majority leader, discuss Joseph Bruno's year and recent developments in "Troopergate."

Building Up The Bowery

Steve Zeitlin, Executive Director of City Lore, walks us through the past, present and future of the mile-long strip. Plus, James Macklin, who used to live on the streets of the area and is now Director of Outreach for the Bowery Mission.

Online Tour of the Bowery [Click on Marking Time in the Bowery]

Don't Know Much About History...

Historian David McCullough discusses the new edition of his best-seller 1776, and the importance of teaching history and reading.

Brains on Books

The New Yorker's Caleb Crain imagines the end of reading.

Twilight of the Books

Santa's List

Chassie Post, contributing style editor for Domino Magazine and Adam Rich, co-founder of Thrillist.com, talk about what you should add to your shopping list and what you should leave off.

Thrillist's List
Domino's List