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Ken Burns' "The War"A Necessary War
On today’s show, Ken Burns discusses his seven-part, 15-hour epic World War II documentary. Then, Alek Wek on how she fled the civil war in Sudan and eventually became an international supermodel. Also, we'll talk about a new movement that's trying to figure out a less harmful approach to controlling pests. And we get an update on The Great Turtle Race. Plus, Joy Behar dispenses advice on how to get through life’s rough patches.
Ken Burns on “The War”
It took six years for Ken Burns to complete his new seven-part, 15-hour epic documentary, “The War.” This World War II documentary weaves interviews with ordinary Americans from four small towns with rare photos and footage. World War II is often referred to as “The Good War,” but the film presents a story that indicates otherwise. Mr. Burns is joined by his co-director and co-producer, Lynn Novick.
To learn more about “The War,” visit PBS.
Events: Ken Burns will be in conversation with Robert Stone
Thursday, September 27 at 7pm
Celeste Bartos Forum
The Main Branch of the New York Public Library
Fifth Avenue, at 42nd Street
For tickets, visit the NYPL website or call 212-868-4444.
Weigh in: Do you consider World War II to be a good war?
Weigh in: We want to hear from World War II veterans. If you have already seen the documentary, what do you think of its depiction of the war?

From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel
Born in the southern Sudan, Alek Wek knew only a few years of peace before she was caught up in civil war. She fled Sudan on foot and arrived in London, where she rose from young model to international supermodel. Her journey is recounted in Alek.
Alek is available for purchase at amazon.com
Greener Pest Control
Pesticides are known to harm wildlife, cause reproductive abnormalities, and are even associated with multiple forms of cancer in humans. There’s a movement afoot to figure out a less harmful approach to control roaches, termites, bedbugs, and other common household pests. Joining Leonard to discuss this movement are Jonathan Kaplan of the Natural Resources Defense Council and Luis Agurto Sr., an exterminator and owner of San Francisco-based pest control company Pestec.
To learn more about green pest control, visit Green Shield Certified.
To read the profile of the Agurtos, visit OnEarth Magazine and click on Who You Gonna Call?
The Great Turtle Race Update
In April 2007, 11 female leatherback turtles equipped with satellite tags competed in The Great Turtle Race, a slow-speed race on their regular migration from Costa Rica to waters near the Galapagos Islands. Now, the disturbing news comes that four of the competitors have disappeared. It’s possible that their satellite tags have become disabled, but perhaps a more likely explanation is that the turtles have died. Leonard speaks with Dr. James Spotila, founder of The Leatherback Trust and a professor at Drexel University, about what might have happened to the turtles, and why leatherbacks face extinction after over 65 million years on Earth.
You can hear the original interview here
Joy Behar on Coping With Life’s Challenges
Joy Behar, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” doesn’t have any advice of her own to dispense. Instead, she offers brief personal essays from more than 100 of her best friends including Tony Danza, Barbara Bush, and Larry King. The advice in When You Need a Lift ranges from the simple to the profound, and from the silly to the serious.
When You Need a Lift is available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: Joy Behar will be speaking and signing books
Wednesday, September 26 at 7pm
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 East 17th Street
Weigh in: What do you do when you need a lift?
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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.
Video Pick: David Chang on Momofuku
The Leonard Lopate Show
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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.
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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.
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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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