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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, August 02, 2004
  • Reagan andMikhail Gorbachev (Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation)
    Reagan andMikhail Gorbachev (Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation)

    Getting Along Famously

    Former US ambassador to the USSR Jack F. Matlock, Jr., offers a firsthand account of the complex, strategic policies that ended the Cold War in Reagan and Gorbachev. Then Will Swift explains how the friendship between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and the King and Queen of England changed history in The Roosevelts and the Royals. And L.A. Weekly deputy editor John Powers shares his critical analysis of the political and media culture of the Bush era in Sore Winners. Finally, Jami Gong on his life as a Chinese-American activist, Internet entrepreneur, and stand-up comedian.

Jack F. Matlock

Jack F. Matlock discusses his new book: Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended.

» Read an excerpt of Reagan and Gorbachev in the Reading Room
» More on the book
» Visit our Guest Picks page to find out about the books, films, and music that move Matlock

Music: Original soundtrack, "Cobb." Music composed by Elliot Goldenthal. Tracks: "Cooperstown Aria (Part II)" and "Hart and Hunter"

Will Swift

Will Swift on his book The Roosevelts and the Royals: Franklin and Eleanor, the King and Queen of England, and the Friendship that Changed History.

» Read an excerpt of The Roosevelts and the Royals in the Reading Room
» Visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt website
» >Visit Will Swift's website
» More on the book

Events: Dr. Will Swift will be speaking on:
Sunday, 8/8, at 2pm
Wilderstein Preservation (home of Franklin Roosevelt's cousin Daisy Suckley)
330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck, NY
Afternoon tea to follow discussion.
Admission is $20.
Reservations requested. Please call 845-876-4818.

Music: Original soundtrack, "Tom & Viv." Music composed by Debbie Wiseman. Tracks: "Viv & Maurice" and "The Honeymoon"

John Powers

John Powers on Sore Winners (And the Rest of Us) in George Bush's America.

» More on the book

Music: Original soundtrack, "Erin Brockovich." Music by Thomas Newman. Tracks: "Two Wrong Feet" and "On the Plume"

Jami Gong

Chinese-American activist, Internet entrepreneur, and stand-up comedian, Jami Gong.

» More on Jami Gong
» Visit our Guest Picks page to find out about the books, films, and music that move Gong

Music: "Jump Start and Jazz: Two Ballets By Wynton Marsalis." Track: "Express Crossing (Astride Iron Horses)"

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.