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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, November 01, 2006
  • Walt Disney by Neal Gabler

    Shrouded in Myth

    Walt Disney is one of America’s most familiar figures. But biographer Neil Gabler says the man who created Mickey Mouse is shrouded in myth. He tells us what he uncovered during seven years of research. Then, Philippa Gregory imagines the tumultuous life of Katherine of Aragon in her new novel. And a new documentary explores what makes people jump from the Golden Gate Bridge. Plus, a talk with one of the great masters of the short story, Mavis Gallant.

Understanding Walt Disney

Neal Gabler is the first writer to be given complete access to the Disney archives. In Walt Disney, he reveals what he uncovered during his seven years researching the man who created Mickey Mouse.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination is available for purchase at amazon.com


Events: Neal Gabler will be speaking
Monday, November 6 at 12 pm
The Makor-Steinhardt Center of the 92nd Street Y
35 West 67th Street
For tickets, visit the 92nd Street Y website or call 212-415-5500.

The Tumultuous Life of Katherine of Aragon

Historical novelist Philippa Gregory takes readers into the heart and mind of Katherine of Aragon with The Constant Princess.

The Constant Princess is available for purchase at amazon.com

Golden gate bridge

Suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge

Eric Steel’s new documentary explores the dark side of an American icon. "The Bridge" asks why people jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, and what effect their suicides have on those who are left behind.

Paris Stories

Short story master Mavis Gallant reflects on 50 years of writing fiction.

Paris Stories is available for purchase at amazon.com

Varieties of Exile is available for purchase at amazon.com


Events: Mavis Gallant and her work will be celebrated by authors Jhumpa Lahiri, Russell Banks, Michael Ondaatje, and Edward Hirsch.
Wednesday, November 1 at 6:30 pm
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway, at 95th Street
For tickets, call 212-864-5400 or visit the Symphony Space 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.