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in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 13 May 2008
Deborah Kanafani, ex-wife of Yasser Arafat's personal adviser Marwan Kanafani, discusses her forthcoming memoir, Unveiled, in this deeply personal piece. Speaking of her husband's controlling tendencies, her divorce, and the ensuing messy custody battle (she eventually had her children spirited out of Jordan by the US government without her husband's knowledge), Kanafani gives listeners a sense of the challenges inherent in marrying into a completely different world. Though she touches briefly on the work she's done to promote peace in the Middle East, her story would shine better in a broader context.
Posted 9:44, 14 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Alex Zimmerman
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 9 May 2008
Emmanuel Jal recounts being an 8-year-old soldier in the Sudan People's Liberation Army and how he evolved into the musician he is today, recently releasing a new album called Warchild. As a child, he was trained to operate an AK-47 and attack a town, and this training "killed feelings" and taught him to obey mindlessly, but his life began to change when an aid worker adopted him and he transitioned from a life of violence. Gross' compelling questions and Jal's horrific recollections of his childhood -- and his keen insight -- make for a discussion as inspiring as it is heartrending.
Posted 10:09, 12 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 8 May 2008
Jonathan Paskowitz discusses being one of nine children in a family that lived in a 24-foot camper, essentially isolated from society while they traveled around the country to surf; their story is chronicled in the recent documentary Surfwise. Paskowitz talks about the bizarre physical "quests" their disciplinarian father used as punishment, the difficulty in learning moderation when they entered the real world, their strict diets, and their unstructured home-schooling. Paskowitz recounts an outlandish childhood, but one he is clearly at peace with, in this riveting account.
Posted 9:58, 9 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 8 May 2008
Adam Liptak of The New York Times discusses the incarceration rates in the United States as part of his recent series of articles American Exception, which delves into unique aspects of the American justice system. Liptak explains that the election of judges, the number of nonviolent offenders who are locked up, and the surge in tougher crime laws and violence in the late 1970s contribute to the US having the highest incarceration rates in the world. Liptak includes many pertinent elements in this survey -- from policing to the bizarre bail bondsman culture -- that give a disheartening but informative portrait of US incarceration practices.
Posted 9:30, 9 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 7 May 2008
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez commanded ground troops in Iraq from 2003 to 2004, and after retiring in 2006 has been speaking out against the war, as he does in his new memoir Wiser in Battle: A Soldier's Story. He writes that Iraq is a "strategic blunder of historic proportions" and that he went into combat with a nonexistent plan. He also says that investigations into the Abu Ghraib abuses that found him partly responsible were mostly political in nature, even though he was ultimately cleared. Though his perspective as a commander is important, much of his message is old news.
Posted 9:54, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
Ward chronicles Chuck Berry's early career as a central rock 'n' roll figure as well as his odd background -- from being a licensed cosmetician, a convicted car thief, and then being imprisoned for dalliances with an underage girl. Ward delves into how Berry's career was propelled by Muddy Waters, the surprising number of Berry's unreleased, early recordings of urban blues, how his music endeared him to white, teenage audiences, and his unnerving preoccupation with teenage girls as a songwriter in his 30s. This short exploration of Berry's career includes a lot of context and background information on this remarkably interesting musician.
Posted 12:53, 5 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 1 May 2008
Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, seen in American Gangster and Children of Men, discusses his role as a jujitsu instructor in the new David Mamet film Redbelt. Ejiofor talks about exploring the dynamics of his character, undergoing his martial arts training, working with David Mamet, and past roles -- particularly that of a drag queen in Kinky Boots. This interview serves as a quick introduction to the movie and the actor, who is relaxed and down to earth in talking about his work.
Posted 12:27, 2 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 1 May 2008
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, performing now as The Swell Season, talk about their experience writing Oscar-winning music for the 2007 film Once, which they also starred in, and how their relationship developed in the course of working together -- mimicking the love story of the film. They discuss how they worked together, how they ended up in the movie despite a lack of acting experience, and how the movie was filmed. Fans of the film and music will be most interested in the stories of how the movie came together, but Hansard and Irglova are humble and charming in telling their stories.
Posted 11:27, 2 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Fresh Air
by
Terry Gross, 30 April 2008
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jim Sheeler talks about his book, Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives, which chronicles Marine Col. Steve Beck's responsibility as a casualty officer who has to inform families of the deaths of their loved ones. Beck, also a guest, talks about the experience of appearing at the family's door, the relationships that can develop with the families, ways he can support the family, and the grief and shock he has encountered. This emotionally searing discussion, and the specific stories they tell, reveal the terrible responsibilities Beck endures with great honor and compassion.
Posted 1:26, 1 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
As Willie Nelson turns 75, Ward chronicles the songwriter's "unique lyrical and musical gift." Ward follows Nelson's roots in Texas, including an excerpt of one of his first songs, and follows his roller coaster ride to eventual success. Writing the song Family Bible (which sold for $100) propelled him to songwriting success in Nashville, but several depressing failures punctuated his successes as he bounced from label to label before finally finding his niche. This is a quick story of bumps (and really sad songs) along the way to Nelson's success.
Posted 10:12, 1 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.