A physics professor celebrates Halloween by using math and science to prove that ghosts and vampires can’t exist. Then, Garrison Keillor tells some behind-the-scenes stories from his film “A Prairie Home Companion.” And restaurateur Danny Meyer shares some of the secrets of his success. Later on, a true crime book revisits a famous murder that gripped 1840s New York. Plus, Alistair Horne talks about his 1977 groundbreaking history of the Algerian War.
Science versus Spooks
According to a 2005 Gallup poll, more than a third of Americans believe in haunted houses. But Costas Efthimiou, a physics professor at the University of Central Florida, drains some of the life out of Halloween by proving that ghosts and vampires can't exist.
A Prairie Home Companion
Garrison Keillor recently teamed up with Robert Altman to bring “A Prairie Home Companion” to the big screen. Mr. Keillor shares some behind-the-scenes adventures from the set.
“A Prairie Home Companion” is available for purchase at amazon.com
Danny Meyer on Hospitality
Restaurateur Danny Meyer explains how "enlightened hospitality" has helped him create top-notch eating establishments, like Union Square Café and Gramercy Tavern, in Setting the Table.
Setting the Table is available for purchase at amazon.com
A Crime that Gripped 1840s Manhattan
Daniel Stashower's true crime book The Beautiful Cigar Girl revisits 1840s New York, when Edgar Allan Poe took on a notorious cold case murder.
The Beautiful Cigar Girl is available for purchase at amazon.com
The Algerian War
Alistair Horne tells us about his 1977 groundbreaking history of the Algerian War: A Savage War of Peace.
A Savage War of Peace is available for purchase at amazon.com
About The Leonard Lopate Show
Host Leonard Lopate lets you in on the best conversations with writers, actors, ex-presidents, dancers, scientists, comedians, historians, grammarians, curators, filmmakers, and do-it-yourself experts.
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