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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, July 20, 2004
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    Technically Speaking

    Author and journalist James Gleick, and Harry Kargman, founder and chief executive of the wireless software company Kargo, on how changing technology changes our lives. Then Douglas Valentine’s latest book, The Strength of the Wolf, sheds some light on the history of America’s war on drugs. The Library of America has released a new three-volume set of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s collected works in honor of the centenary of his birth. Editor Ilan Stavans joins us to discuss the writings of the only Yiddish author to win a Nobel Prize. Finally, director Kevin Fitzgerald (aka DJ Organic) discusses his new documentary Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme, and the importance of hip hop as a form of expression, with MC Supernatural and Wordsworth.

James Gleick and Harry Kargman

Author and journalist James Gleick, and Harry Kargman, founder and chief executive of the wireless software company Kargo, on how technology changes us.

» More on James Gleick
» More on Kargo

Music: Lonesome, by the Alloy Orchestra: "Weekend" / "Factory"

Douglas Valentine

Douglas Valentine investigates the troubling history of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, from its inception in 1930 until its demise in 1968, in his latest book: The Strength of the Wolf: The Secret History of America’s War on Drugs.

» More on the book

Music: Lonesome, by the Alloy Orchestra: "Jim" / "At the Beach"
Soundtrack to Cobb, music by Elliot Goldenthal: "The Beast Within" / "Sour Mash Scherzo"

Ilan Stavans

Ilan Stavans, editor of the centennial three-volume collection of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s work.

» More on Isaac Bashevis Singer

Events: Israel's Gesher Theater, one of the only bi-lingual theaters in the world, will be performing two Singer plays at Lincoln Center:

The Slave: July 20 - 21 in Hebrew. July 22 - 23 in Russian.
Shosha: July 24 - 25 in Hebrew.
John Jay College Theater, 10th Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets.
Tickets and information: www.lincolncenter.org or call 212.721.6500

Music: Wandering Jew, by Yale Strom & Klazzj: "Tchainik Waltz" / "70 West 77th"

Kevin Fitzgerald, MC Supernatural and Wordsworth

Freestyle Director Kevin Fitzgerald and artists MC Supernatural and Wordsworth on the documentary Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme.

» More on the film
» Cinema Village website


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.