Reverend Mel White broke with the Christian Right in the 1990s, to come out as a gay man. On today’s show, he says fundamentalist Christians are waging a holy war against sexual minorities, and undermining American democracy. Then, we explore the 1500-year staying power of chess. And we talk to a man who’s been living with HIV for 20 years—since he was infected by tainted blood at age 11. Plus: an inside perspective on life in Iraq’s Green Zone.
Breaking with the Christian Right
Mel White once worked as a ghostwriter for Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson. But twelve years ago, he came out as a gay man and broke with the Christian Right. In Religion Gone Bad, he outlines what he believes are the hidden dangers of fundamentalism.
Available for purchase ...
The Immortal Game
David Shenk explores the 1500-year evolution of chess in The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Art, Science and the Human Brain.
Available for purchase at amazon.com
Rebel Without a Cure
At age 11, hemophiliac Shawn Decker contracted HIV from tainted blood. In My Pet Virus, he talks about living with the virus for 20 years—from fighting to attend public school, to promoting safe sex with his HIV-negative wife.
Available for purchase at amazon.com
Event: Shawn Decker ...Inside the Green Zone
In Imperial Life in the Emerald City, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, the former Baghdad Bureau Chief for The Washington Post, shares his firsthand account, and critical perspective, on life inside the Green Zone.
Monday, September 25th
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Available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: Rajiv Chandrasekaran will be speaking onMonday, September 25th
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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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