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The Leonard Lopate Show
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Girl and her brother in Darfur (Brian Steidle)The Devil You Know
On today's show: two documentary filmmakers and a photographer take us inside the genocide in Darfur, and explain what we can do to help the Sudanese people. Then: the life and times of Nancy Cunard, heiress, artist, and humanitarian. Next, a debut collection of short stories explores themes of motherhood, love, and loss. And a journalist exposes the underbelly of China’s new economy by following the story of a self-made billionaire gangster who eluded Chinese authorities for years.
The Devil Came on Horseback
Former U.S. Marine captain Brian Steidle went to Darfur, Sudan as an African Union military observer, armed with only a pen, paper, and a camera to document what he saw. His experiences are recounted in his memoir The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur, as well as the documentary film of the same name made with producers and directors Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern.
The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur is available for purchase at amazon.com.
Find out more about The Devil Came on Horseback documentary here.
Learn about Brian Steidle’s nonprofit, Global Grassroots, here.
Weigh in: What can we do to help the people of Darfur?
Pretty, Witty, and Wise
Nancy Cunard was the girl who had everything: a sharp intellect, good looks, social connections, and plenty of income from the family steamship fortune. Lois Gordon tells the story of this remarkable poet, journalist, and humanitarian who inspired Evelyn Waugh, Pablo Neruda, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and Man Ray.
Her new book Nancy Cunard: Heiress, Muse, Political Idealist is available for purchase at amazon.com.
Mothers and Daughters
Robin Romm’s new collection of short stories uses magical realism to get at the truth of human relationships, especially that most fundamental relationship: the bond between mother and child.
The Mother Garden: Stories is available for purchase at amazon.com.
China’s Most Wanted
A mixed-up reporting assignment led London Times Beijing Bureau Chief Oliver August to the case of Lai Changxing, an illiterate criminal mastermind who earned billions of dollars, along with the title of public enemy #1. August follows his harrowing story through dark backrooms, all the way to a face-to-face encounter with the gangster himself.
Inside the Red Mansion: On the Trail of China’s Most Wanted Man is available for purchase at amazon.com.
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Patrick Swayze
The Leonard Lopate Show
Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”
- Comments [1]
The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate
The Leonard Lopate Show
Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.
Dominick Dunne
The Leonard Lopate Show
Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
Recent Videos:
- Robert Stone on Nixon and Earth Day
- Moby on Music Business
- Nicholas Bakalar on The Medicine Cabinet of Curiosities
- Robert Feldman on The Liar in Your Life
- Matt Taibbi on Goldman Sachs
- Arianna Huffington on Pigs at the Trough
- Joel Grey on Images from My Phone
- Lawrence McDonald on The Fall of Lehman Brothers
- Comments [4]
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.
- Comments [33]
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.
- Comments [1]
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.
- Comments [9]
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.
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Guest Picks
The Leonard Lopate Show
Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?
