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'The Swerve': When an Ancient Text Reaches Out and Touches Us

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:47:00 EDT

In his new book, "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern," author Stephen Greenblatt unearths the tale of a book collector whose discovery of poet Lucretius' "On the Nature of Things" helped change the direction of human thought. Jeffrey Brown and Greenblatt discuss the book and its many cross-generational messages.

Remembering Opera Singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:48:00 EDT

German opera singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who died Friday at age 86, was a master of the Lieder, a form of German song that he helped make popular in the 20th century. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Anne Midgette, a classical music critic for The Washington Post, about Fischer-Dieskau's legacy.

Remembering the 'Queen of Disco' Donna Summer

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:48:00 EDT

Singer Donna Summer became known as the "Queen of Disco," defining the genre with her sultry vocals and pulsing rhythms. She used to say she grew up listening to rock 'n' roll and was raised on gospel music. But it was her dance hits that won her Grammys. Summers died Thursday at age 63.

Remembering Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's Grand Man of Letters

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:48:00 EDT

Carlos Fuentes was a prolific writer -- penning novels, essays, newspaper articles, even an opera. Recognized as one of Latin America's greatest literary figures, Fuentes brought stories from Mexico to the world stage. He died Tuesday at age 83. Ray Suarez and Ilan Stavans of Amherst College discuss the impact of Fuentes' work.

'Crossing the Borders of Time': a Tale of Reclaimed Love Lost Amid WWII

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:42:00 EDT

Author Leslie Maitland speaks with Margaret Warner about her new book, "Crossing the Borders of Time," which chronicles the story of a 15-year-old Jewish girl raised in Germany as the Nazis came to power and her star-crossed romance with an older French Catholic man.

Remembering Maurice Sendak and His 'Riotous and Strange' Inner Child

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:48:00 EDT

Known for illuminating fantastic nightmares in picture book form -- like his most famous book "Where the Wild Things Are," writer and artist Maurice Sendak died Tuesday at age 83. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Sendak in 2002.

'What's Going on Now': Engaging Young People Through Music, Media, Messages

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:45:00 EDT

Part of a project produced by the Kennedy Center and singer-songwriter John Legend called What's Going On Now, young people across the country are using media, music and inspiration from Marvin Gaye to address issues in their lives and communities such as the economy, wars and the environment. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Better $120 Million Status Symbol: 'The Scream' or a Yacht?

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:47:00 EDT

One of the most iconic works of art in the world, a version of Edvard Munch's "The Scream," sold at a record price of $119.9 million in a much-hyped New York auction Wednesday night. Jeffrey Brown and The Wall Street Journal's Kelly Crow discuss what a 12-minute-long bidding war suggests about the state of the art market.

U.S., U.K. Poets Laureate on Being Public Face for 'Solitary Act'

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:45:00 EDT

"A poet should be private and invisible," says U.K. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, "This is a different way of being a poet, to be laureate." Meanwhile, "I think we witness things, but are not witnessed," says U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine. They reflect with Jeffrey Brown on having very public roles as private poets.

Nick Cave Brings Art, Fashion, Sculpture to Life With Colorful 'Soundsuits'

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:48:00 EDT

Chicago artist Nick Cave says he has always been fascinated with items cast off by other people. The Missouri native and his team assemble thrift-store finds into life-size creations that are part sculpture, part costume, which he calls "Soundsuits." When you see one, Cave wants you to wonder, "What am I encountering?"

Newly Cast Terra Cotta Warriors Look to More Peaceful Future in 2801

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:45:00 EDT

Artist Gong Yuebin grew up during China's Cultural Revolution and it shows. His piece "Site 2801," on display at Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, Calif., reflects a re-imagined terra cotta army -- 200 warriors interspersed with 10 modern-looking soldiers, symbolizing an unchanged feeling of militarism. Spencer Michels reports.

Ann Patchett: Pulitzers Skipping Fiction Prize a 'Big Loss' for Booksellers

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:43:00 EDT

For the first time since 1977, no Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded this year when none of the three finalists won a majority of a jury's vote. Best-selling authors Ann Patchett and Lev Grossman speak with Jeffrey Brown about the integrity of the judging process and the Pulitzers' power as a sales tool for booksellers.

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye: 'Telling a Story Helped Us Figure Out Who We Were'

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:50:00 EDT

When shaping verse, poet Naomi Shihab Nye reflects on her Palestinian heritage, family and the power of humanity. Nye discusses her most recent compilation of work, "Transfer," and what inspires her to continue crafting thoughtful and expressive poems.

The E-Book War: the Stakes in the Fight for Readers' Dollars

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:32:00 EDT

Citing consumer losses of millions of dollars, the Justice Department accused Apple and five publishers this week of colluding to raise e-book prices and break Amazon's dominant hold in the market. Jeffrey Brown discusses the state of the market with American Booksellers Association's Becky Anderson and attorney Steve Berman.

'Colorful Realm,' 18th Century Japanese Silk Paintings Make Rare U.S. Appearance

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:45:00 EDT

In a rare U.S. visit, a collection of 30 Japanese bird-and-flower silk scroll paintings by Ito Jakuchu are on display at the National Gallery of Art, just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in the nation's capital. Judy Woodruff reports on the display of the 18th century Japanese national treasures.

Buddy Guy: 'Blues Musicians Don't Retire, They Drop'

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:46:00 EDT

Sixty years after picking up his first guitar, blues musician Buddy Guy still jams -- and has no plans of stopping. Jeffrey Brown and Guy discuss his upcoming memoir "When I Left Home: My Story," his childhood in rural Louisiana, what his influences were and how his remarkable career helped shape popular music.

Remembering 'Brilliant' Banjo Player Earl Scruggs, Poet Adrienne Rich

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:44:00 EDT

Judy Woodruff reports on the death of widely read and influential poet Adrienne Rich, who died Tuesday at age 82, then Jeffrey Brown takes a look back at the life and groundbreaking sound of banjo legend and bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs with Bela Fleck, another Grammy-winning banjo player.

On Stage, Chicago Students Tackle Immigration, Poverty, Race

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:40:00 EDT

Students at the Albany Park Theatre Project in Chicago research, write and perform plays about their own communities, tackling tough issues like immigration, poverty and race while learning about theater in an area where extracurricular activities are few and far between. Jeffrey Brown reports.

'The Hunger Games' Phenomenon: Examining Film's Buzz, 'Insane' Marketing

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:47:00 EDT

When the clock struck midnight early Friday, fans of the wildly anticipated movie "The Hunger Games," based on the young-adult series by Suzanne Collins, cheered as they flooded more than 2,000 screenings across the country. Jeffrey Brown discusses the movie's appeal and buzz with The Atlantic's Jen Doll.

Dissecting Prose and Squid With Biologist, Poet Katherine Larson

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:48:00 EDT

Using her career as a molecular biologist as a starting point, Katherine Larson shapes her poems with descriptions of squid, suction cups and branchial hearts. She won last year's Yale Series of Younger Poets competition and was recognized as a poet of "genuine promise" with the Kate Tufts Discovery Award last month.

San Francisco's Famed Coit Tower Murals in Peril Due to Fog, Neglect

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:39:00 EDT

In San Francisco's Coit Tower, historic murals by 25 significant artists depicting life in California in the early 1930s have fallen into disrepair for a variety of reasons, including a lack of security, funding problems and the city's famous fog. Correspondent Spencer Michels reports on efforts to preserve the famed frescoes.

A New Voice at the Kennedy Center, Jason Moran 'Promotes the Abstract' in Jazz

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:45:00 EDT

An emerging jazz innovator and the new artistic director at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, musician Jason Moran uses song to promote thought, therapy, consciousness and creativity. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Moran about his efforts to create more appreciators of the arts in his new role.

The Healing Power of Music

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:44:00 EDT

An unconventional approach to recovery and coping, music therapy is a field of medicine capturing new attention due to its role in helping Gabrielle Giffords recover from a gunshot. Correspondent Spencer Michels reports on the versatility of music in a medical setting, but the difficulty of quantifying its effectiveness.

New York Arts Program Brings 'Harmony' to Low-Income Students

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:42:00 EDT

Serving mostly low-income children in New York City, an innovative music education program called Harmony provides free instruments and daily music lessons to children in third through sixth grades. Correspondent John Merrow reports on an arts program changing lives in public schools, based on a system developed in Venezuela.

Smithsonian's African-American History Museum an 'Opportunity for Understanding'

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:44:00 EDT

Ground was broken Wednesday on the National Mall for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, set to open in 2015. Jeffrey Brown discusses the pivotal moment in the long, $500 million effort to showcase the stories and experiences of black Americans with journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson.

Roger Rosenblatt Reflects on Love, Grief, Kayaks

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:46:00 EDT

Author Roger Rosenblatt considers grief, solace, solitude and love in the wake of his daughter's death in his new book "Kayak Morning: Reflections on Love, Grief and Small Boats." Jeffrey Brown and Rosenblatt discuss a morning out on the water and a journey through grief.

Poet Tony Hoagland Explores Species' 'Romantic Moments'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:48:00 EDT

In honor of Valentine's Day, poet Tony Hoagland reads "Romantic Moment" -- a poem about a man and woman who have just watched a nature documentary on a date, and how their expressions of affection stack up against those of leopard frogs, chimpanzees, bull penguins and so on.

The Life and Legacy of Whitney Houston

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:47:00 EDT

Whitney Houston, the superstar known for turning gospel and soul into pop music gold, was found dead over the weekend in her Los Angeles hotel room. She was 48. Jeffrey Brown and songwriter Gordon Chambers discuss her life and legacy, including some recent struggles that drew public concern.

Love Story Sheds Light on How Society Treats People With Disabilities

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:46:00 EDT

A New York Times bestseller, Rachel Simon's "The Story of Beautiful Girl" explores empathy and tolerance in the form of a love story where characters with disabilities overcome heavyweight obstacles. Judy Woodruff and Simon discuss how society deals with disabilities and how they are portrayed in literary works.

Legacy of S.F. Mayor, Killed With Harvey Milk, Revived on Stage by Son

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:45:00 EDT

In his new play "Ghost Light," Jonathon Moscone explores feelings of guilt and grief as well as the legacy of his father, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was gunned down at City Hall 33 years ago, along with gay rights advocate Harvey Milk, whose assassination has been better-remembered. KQED's Dave Iverson reports.