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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
  • Alice Walker

    Getting Older in America

    Tens of millions of baby boomers are in their 50s and 60s. A geriatrician and a sociologist tell us what America's baby boomers need to know before they become senior citizens. Also: find out what soldiers are reading. We hear about a thwarted aid mission in Afghanistan. Plus, Alice Walker discuses her new book Why War is Never a Good Idea.

    We want your favorite holiday cookie recipe! On Dec. 11, we're hosting a Christmas cookie recipe swap. Dig up your favorite recipe and submit here.

Aid Mission in Afghanistan Gone Wrong

Joel Hafvenstein went to Afghanistan to run an aid program with two goals: to help opium poppy farmers find other ways to earn a living, and to win hearts and minds from the former Taliban government. But his mission went terribly wrong. His new memoir is Opium Season.

Opium Season is available for purchase at amazon.com

Teaching Literature at West Point

Elizabeth D. Samet talks about the links between literature and war, and how reading influences military life. Her new book about teaching English at West Point is Soldier's Heart.

Event: Elizabeth Samet will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, November 29 at 7 pm
192 Books
192 10th Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets)

Soldier’s Heart is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: We'd like to hear from current and former servicemen and -women. Which books have been most helpful to you during your time in the service?

Read an excerpt from Soldier's Heart

Getting Old in America

78 million baby boomers are moving into their 60s, and people are living longer than ever. We look into what America's baby boomers need to know before they become senior citizens. Dr. Jurgen Bludau is a geriatrician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Lillian Rubin is author of 60 on Up: The Truth About Aging in America.

60 on Up is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: What do you fear most about getting old? What do you look forward to?

Alice Walker: Why War is Never a Good Idea

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker wants to teach children about the graphic horrors of war. In her new kids' book, Why War is Never a Good Idea, she writes:

"Though War is Old

It has not

Become wise."

Why War is Never a Good Idea is available for purchase at amazon.com

If you can't see the video click here

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.”

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.

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.

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?