wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, November 08, 2004
  • Grand Canyon
    Grand Canyon National Park Service

    Down to Earth

    Paleontologist Richard Fortey examines what some of the world's most intriguing geological sites--from Mt. Vesuvius to the Grand Canyon--reveal about the earth’s origins in Earth: An Intimate History. Then, John Perkins reveals his past as an "economic hitman." He describes working for an international consulting firm, where for years he persuaded underdeveloped countries to take out enormous loans for development, and then worked to award the contracts to U.S. multinational corporations. Next, Danny Gregory revisits the lessons of post-WWII educational filmstrips in Change Your Underwear Twice a Week. And Roddy Doyle joins us with Oh Play That Thing. The novel is his latest foray into the criminal schemings of Henry Smart—an Irish conman in 1920s New York and Chicago—as he tries to keep one step ahead of his rivals and former partners.

Richard Fortey

Paleontologist Richard Fortey with a definitive portrait of the planet: Earth: An Intimate History.

» More on the book

Music: Soundtrack to Awakenings, music by Randy Newman: "Dr. Sayer" / "Rilke’s Panther"

John Perkins

John Perkins comes clean about his past, and discusses his change of heart in Confessions of An Economic Hit Man.

» More on the book

Music: Soundtrack to Erin Brockovich, music by Thomas Newman: "On the Plume" / "Useless"

Danny Gregory

Danny Gregory looks back at the advice of post-WWII educational filmstrips in his new book Change Your Underwear Twice a Week.

Music: Hot Fives and Sevens, Louis Armstrong: "Gut Bucket Blues" / "Irish Black Bottom"

Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle on the rough and tumble criminal world of 1920s New York and Chicago: Oh Play That Thing.

» More on the book

Events: Roddy Doyle will reading and signing books on:


Music: Lonesome, Alloy Orchestra: "Mary (short version)" Monday, November 8th at 7pm
33 East 17th Street
Barnes & Noble, Union Square

National Book Award Winners

The Leonard Lopate Show

A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

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.

Please Explain: Eco-Labels

The Leonard Lopate Show

Your broccoli, shampoo, and air conditioner might bear labels declaring them to be organic, cruelty-free, or energy efficient, but what do those labels mean and are they true? Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Project Director for Consumer Reports' GreenerChoices.org and Consumers Union’s Senior Scientist for Policy Initiatives, and Dara O'Rourke, founder and CEO of GoodGuide.com, took a look at what eco-labels indicate, how standards are set, and what they mean for consumers and manufacturers around the world.

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.