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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, May 07, 2007
  • Brothers, The Hidden Mystery of the Kennedy Years by David Talbot
    Brothers, The Hidden Mystery of the Kennedy Years by David Talbot

    Epic Stories

    Two Washington Post reporters examine the complex personality and politics of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Then, we hear the true story of a terrible farm accident, and the revolutionary medical care it inspired. Later on, Lebanese author Elias Khoury tells us about his epic novel about Palestinian life. And David Talbot delves into Bobby Kennedy’s quest to find out who killed his brother.

The Complex Life of Clarence Thomas

Washington Post reporters Kevin Merida and Michael A. Fletcher examine the life of Justice Clarence Thomas. Based on interviews with Thomas’s family and colleagues, their book Supreme Discomfort explores the complex personality and controversial image of the country’s second African-American Supreme Court Justice.

Supreme Discomfort is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: Kevin Merida and Michael A. Fletcher will be speaking and signing books
Monday, May 7 at 7 pm
The Brooklyn Brownstone
409 Lewis Avenue, between Decatur and Macdonough Streets
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

A Farm Accident, and a Medical Miracle

Michael McCarthy reports on the incredible real-life story of an Illinois corn farmer who was so badly burned that only his feet--protected by new steel-toe boots--escaped injury. And he explains the extraordinary medical care the accident inspired, in The Sun Farmer.

The Sun Farmer is available for purchase at amazon.com

An Epic Palestinian Story

Lebanese author Elias Khoury talks about his epic novel about Palestinian life: Gate of the Sun.

Gate of the Sun is available for purchase at amazon.com

Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years

David Talbot re-examines JFK’s assassination, and Bobby Kennedy’s secret quest to solve his brother’s murder.

Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years is available for purchase at amazon.com

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.