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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, May 25, 2005
  • John Brown
    John Brown

    Passion and Politics

    The Nation's circulation has increased a striking 71 percent since the election of George Bush in 2000. Victor Navasky, the magazine’s editor since 1978, gives us his perspective on America's current political climate. Then, David S. Reynolds tells us about his new biography of one of America’s most controversial historical figures: John Brown, Abolitionist. We’ll get a preview of this year’s UnParade from curator Elise Bernhardt and boombox orchestra composer Phil Kline. Finally, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin reveal the highs and lows of Robert Oppenheimer’s life.

A Matter of Opinion

Victor Navasky has served as publisher and editorial director of The Nation since 1995, and since 1978 he's served as editor. In A Matter of Opinion, he looks back at his long, passionate relationship with the magazine.

Events:
E.L. Doctorow interviewing Victor Navasky on:
Wednesday, May 25th at 7pm
CUNY Graduate Center
365 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd St.)

Music: Jump Start and Jazz, Wynton Marsalis: “Ragtime” / “1/2 Fiddle Bow Real”

John Brown, Abolitionist

David S. Reynolds shares his new biography, John Brown, Abolitionist. The book examines John Brown’s beliefs and his violent, controversial tactics in an attempt to put his contribution to the Civil War and the end of slavery into context.

Music: “John Brown” sung by Earl Robinson and America’s People Chorus (c. 1936)

UnParade

Leonard is serving as Grand Marshal of this year’s UnParade throughout Lower Manhattan. He’ll speak with curator Elise Bernhardt and boombox artist Phil Kline about the event.

» A River to River Un-Parade event info
» Phil Kline website

American Prometheus

Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin take an in-depth look at the personal and public life of Robert Oppenheimer in American Prometheus.

» Excerpt of American Prometheus in the Reading Room

Events:
The authors of the Oppenheimer book will be giving a talk and signing books on Thursday, May 26 at noon at the Makor Steinhardt Center – 35 West 67th Street – for reservations, call 212-415-5500

Music: Soundtrack to Cobb, music by Elliot Goldenthal: “Stump Meets Cobb”

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.