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in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 13 May 2008
Bill Moyers speaks intelligently about his interview with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and says it's "tragic" that modern political guilt-by-association attacks had forced a parishioner to disown his pastor -- something that’s never before happened in American politics -- but affirming that Barack Obama made the right decision to do so. He also sympathizes with Wright for devoting his life to preaching at a small church in Chicago's South Side (instead of going into academia), growing its congregation from 60 to 600 -- and then having his life's work judged on a 30-second sound bite.
Posted 11:52, 14 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Andy Jones
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 12 May 2008
Senator Harry Reid discusses his book The Good Fight: Hard Lessons from Searchlight to Washington, detailing his remarkable journey from a poor childhood in Nevada to Senate majority leader. Reid talks about his hometown (prostitution was the primary industry), his first experience in Washington as a Capitol police officer juggling full-time school, his job, and a young family, and the challenges he faced on the Nevada gaming commission -- including an attempt by organized crime to kill his family. Reid's story has a depth that is a surprising turn from the clichéd tale of how a local boy made good.
Posted 11:03, 14 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 9 May 2008
Henry Winkler, known to most audiences as the Fonz, discusses a wide range of topics in this lighthearted, entertaining interview. He and Smiley touch on Winkler's new family film, A Plumm Summer, and discuss Winkler's career, the legacy of Happy Days, and his life as a prolific children's book author. Operating under the pseudonym Hank Zipzer, Winkler and his writing partner Lynn Oliver have published 14 novels, each inspired by Winker's struggles with dyslexia. The interview is candid but never uncomfortable; Winkler's friendly sense of humor is on display throughout.
Posted 11:41, 13 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Jamelle Bouie
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 8 May 2008
Environmental activist Majora Carter has a favorite slogan: "green the ghetto." Born (and currently still living) in New York's South Bronx, she continually fights for environmental justice in the inner city, in an area marred by toxic industries such as power plants and chemical facilities. She is the founder of Sustainable South Bronx, and is responsible for creating riverfront parks and implementing "green collar" job training in the area. In this passionate interview, she shares her inspiring vision of using local workers for ecological restoration, benefiting individuals and the community.
Posted 9:23, 9 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Lonnette Harrell
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 7 May 2008
Jimmy Carter discusses his book A Remarkable Mother, which focuses on the influence of his activist mother, Lillian Carter. Recalling that she was already ahead of the bell curve on racial equalities, Carter remembers that Lillian worked 20-hour shifts for poor black families that couldn't afford medical services. Rather than retiring at 70, she joined the Peace Corps to work in India, and Carter, through his charity work and books, went on to exemplify the values his mother instilled in him. Smiley doesn't have to work hard to get the effusively intelligent ex-president to talk, making for a colorful interview.
Posted 10:22, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Ceda Xiong
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 6 May 2008
Barry Goldwater, Jr. and John Dean discuss Pure Goldwater, the book about the elder Sen. Barry Goldwater. Dean suggests that as the conservative voice of the '60s, Goldwater would be considered left of center today. Surprisingly, even though John McCain was his handpicked successor, Dean thinks that the gesture was in deference to McCain's father, Jack. Both guests agree that the weakening of the conservative stance has to do with the movement away from core values. In another revealing moment, Dean also suggests that the Clintons had a closer relationship to Goldwater than the McCains did. In an animated conversation, Smiley uncovers surprising tidbits about the conservative icon.
Posted 9:42, 7 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Ceda Xiong
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 5 May 2008
Gen. Ricardo Sanchez's book Wiser in Battle seems to be part of the deluge of hindsight books on the Iraq War. His main criticism of the current administration is that the leadership in Washington failed to focus on "synchronizing efforts in Iraq." When Smiley goes for the jugular on the topic of Abu Ghraib, which resulted in Sanchez's forced resignation, the general makes no excuses and speaks frankly on the humiliation and gravity of the torture scandal. There is no doubt that Sanchez's advice in his book will be illuminating on the topic of Iraq, but this Smiley interview does not extract enough emotional resonance with the general.
Posted 10:45, 6 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Ceda Xiong
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 2 May 2008
In his conversation with author Tobias Wolff, Smiley offers something rarely found on the TV talk show circuit: an interview with a writer that's all about writing. He avoids the standard soap-dish questions about Wolff's traumatic childhood and having his critically acclaimed memoir, This Boy's Life, turned into a movie. Instead Smiley focuses on Wolff's new short-story collection, Our Story Begins; Wolff's faith that the American short story hasn't lost its vitality as an art form, and the challenges of teaching creative writing to college undergraduates. Bookworms and English majors will enjoy this genuinely literary discussion.
Posted 5:05, 5 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Bonnie Walker
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 30 April 2008
Cokie Roberts discusses her new book, Ladies of Liberty, and the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. She disagrees with the common sentiment that the prolonged campaign is tearing the party apart; instead, she cites increased voter involvement and excitement for the primaries. Roberts also talks about why she writes about women's history, how seeds for major social movements were planted by the women in her book, and why women are so often left out of history books. Her enthusiasm and the historical context she gives to the current election make this a particularly informative conversation.
Posted 4:16, 2 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Meghan Reid
and edited by Brijit.
in Tavis Smiley
by
Tavis Smiley, 1 May 2008
Radio host Amy Goodman speaks hopefully about the upcoming election and describes the country's current state as a "turning point." Goodman makes broad generalizations about the political spectrum, claiming that President Bush has united all these people in favor of traditional liberal causes. Smiley doesn't press her to back up her statements, and therefore this interview drags on as a soap box for Goodman's perspective with little counteranalysis.
Posted 11:26, 2 May 2008
This abstract was written by
aaron knoll
and edited by Brijit.