wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, April 29, 2004
  • Alexander Hamilton

    The State of the Planet

    Airs weekdays at 12PM
    Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, examines the relationship between the human condition and the condition of the Earth. He’s come up with some ideas for achieving global development while still protecting the world’s ecosystems and biodiversity. Then biographer Ron Chernow explains why Alexander Hamilton has never been accorded the same iconic standing as some of the other founding fathers, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Rachel Cohen surveys American art and literature from the Civil War to the civil rights movement. And the Next Frontier series continues with John Hare, who’s recreated Hanns Vischer’s 1906 expedition across the Sahara on camelback.

Jeffrey Sachs

In addition to his role as Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs is Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Special Advisor to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He took part in the State of the Planet 04 conference at Columbia University on March 29th and 30th.

» More about the State of the Planet 04’s objectives
» More about Professor Sachs

Music: "Escalator" by Bang on a Can All-Stars
"Eple" by Royksopp

Alexander Hamilton

Ron Chernow's new biography is Alexander Hamilton. He writes: "In all probability, Alexander Hamilton is the foremost figure in American history who never attained the presidency, yet he probably had a much deeper and more lasting impact than many who did."

» Read a recent review of Chernow's biography of Hamilton
» Read the U.S. Department of the Treasury's description of Hamilton's life

Events: Ron Chernow will be giving a lecture and signing books at the 92nd St Y (Kaufmann Concert Hall) at 8 pm

Music: "Spirit of Gambo," "The President’s March," and "Agreers" from "Early American Roots"

Rachel Cohen

A Chance Meeting: Intertwined Lives of American Writers and Artists, 1854-1967 is Rachel Cohen’s original look into the history of American art and literature. She profiles a wide range of people – from Henry James, Walt Whitman and Mark Twain to Alfred Stieglitz, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Zora Neale Hurston, and Norman Mailer.

» Read more about the book

Music: "Carrington Soundtrack" composer Michael Nyman

The Next Frontier: John Hare

John Hare, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, took a 1500-mile trek across the Sahara on camelback. He shares his adventures in the remote desert and explains why it's important to protect the wild Bactrian camel.

» Visit "The Next Frontier" pages for bios, links and a slideshow

Music: "Lawrence of Arabia Soundtrack" composer Maurice Jarre

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Let’s Go Swimming!

The Leonard Lopate Show

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Frank McCourt

The Leonard Lopate Show

Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

Science and Faith

The Leonard Lopate Show

Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

The Leonard Lopate Show

May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.