Film writer/director David O. Russell. He made his film debut with the prize-winning independent film, "Spanking the Monkey." His latest film is "Flirting with Disaster" starring Ben Stiller and Patricia Arquette.
Poet, performer, and punk rocker Patti Smith. Early in her career she lived with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and -- she says -- the two helped each other form and develop their individual talents. (Her 1975 debut album cover was photograph was taken by Mappelthorpe.) Terry talks with Smith on the occasion of the publication of, "Mappelthorpe Altars," (Random House) the color companion volume to the collection of his black-and-white prints, "Mapplethorpe" published in 1992.
U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass. He's written several books of poetry including "Praise" and "Human Wishes." He also edited "The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa."
The grand-daughter of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof. During the his funeral Noa gave a moving tribute to the grandfather she knew as opposed to the political leader the world knew. She's written a new memoir, "In the Name of Sorrow and Hope," (Knopf).
World Music critic Milo Miles tells us about the concert he recently attended by the albino singer from Mali, Salif Keita. His new album is "Folon" on the Mango label.
Actor David Morse. He's best known for his role in the 1980's hospital TV series "St Elsewhere" as Dr. "Boomer" Morrison. Last year he costarred with Jack Nicholson in "The Crossing Guard" which was directed and written by Sean Penn. Most recently Morse can be seen in the film "12 Monkeys."
Photographer, writer, attorney, and former Special Assistant for Disability Policy to the Vice President of the U.S., George Covington. He was born legally blind, with less than ten percent of normal vision. He says he photographs "to see." Through his pictures he's able to hone in on the subject. His work is featured in the book, "Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artist." (Random House). He was also featured in the PBS documentary series "People In Motion."
Brazilian photojournalist Sebastio Salgado's newest book documents working class people with difficult jobs. It's called "Workers." He began his professional life as an economist.
Publisher of The Nation, Victor Navasky. He was one of a group of writers who in 1967 conceived of a literary hoax. The book "Report From Iron Mountain," was penned by Leonard Lewin and was a satire, supposedly written by a commission of eminent scholars about the problems that would arise in the United States if "permanent peace" should arrive. The book has been compared to Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and "Dr. Strangelove" for its social and political commentary. It wasn't until 1972 that Lewin admitted the hoax.
Former Jesuit seminarian and literary critic Jack Miles. He's just won the Pulitzer prize for his book, "God: A Biography." (Vintage). In the book he examines God as a character -- the protagonist -- of the Old Testament. Miles is also a columnist and member of the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times.
Chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center and its Militia Task Force, Morris Dees. His group has been monitoring the activity of militia and extremist groups. In fact, six months before the Oklahoma City Bombing Dees warned the U.S. Attorney General that the militia movement posed a serious threat. His new book is "Gathering Storm: America's Militia Threat," (HarperCollins).
Chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center and its Militia Task Force, Morris Dees. His group has been monitoring the activity of militia and extremist groups. In fact, six months before the Oklahoma City Bombing Dees warned the U.S. Attorney General that the militia movement posed a serious threat. His new book is "Gathering Storm: America's Militia Threat," (HarperCollins).
