November 10, 2006
Richard Ford
He's not the type of novelist who cranks out a new book every year. Ideas marinate in Richard Ford's mind for years - sometimes fifty years - before they surface in his stories. Ford spent so much time gathering material and reworking the manuscript of his latest novel, The Lay of the Land, he kept the pages in his freezer for safekeeping. Ford talks with Kurt Andersen about the challenges of aging a character in real time.
American Icons: Gone with the Wind
As part of our series on American Icons, WNYC's Karen Frillmann takes a look at how the racial politics of Gone with the Wind play out in 2006, and explores why the story still speaks to readers and viewers today.
Jerry Douglas
The dobro guitar is often used in the movies to quickly establish a feeling of rustic, timeless America. But it's actually a modern invention, and a surprisingly versatile instrument. Jerry Douglas is the instrument's master, and he's played with the likes of Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Allison Krauss and Paul Simon. Douglas discusses his new solo album The Best Kept Secret with Kurt - but he lets the dobro do much of the talking.
