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Candice Millard explores the complicated legacy of exploration in 'River of Gods'
The quest to find the headwaters of the Nile River was the mid-19th century's equivalent to the space race. In her new nonfiction book, River of God,…
3 years, 8 months ago
In 'Freewater' Amina Luqman-Dawson uses YA fiction to dive deep into Black history
Today, the Great Dismal Swamp is a National Wildlife Refuge stretching between Virginia and North Carolina. But from the late 1600s to the Civil War,…
3 years, 8 months ago
'The Inheritors' explores the lasting effects of Apartheid in South Africa
It's been 28 years since Apartheid ended in South Africa, but the country's people are still wrestling with the aftermath of segregationist policies.…
3 years, 8 months ago
Baseball at the center of personal narratives in two new memoirs
This episode features baseball diaries with Scott Simon. First up, CC Sabathia details his personal struggles with alcoholism and fame in his memoir …
3 years, 8 months ago
Life's hardships lead to the trek of a lifetime in 'Soundings'
Doreen Cunningham felt worn down by financial limitations as a single parent trying to, as she says, make life work. She tells Scott Simon that socie…
3 years, 8 months ago
Sci-fi elements help a family's story before and after warfare
Displacement, identity and the aftermath of warfare are themes running through today's episode on 'The Haunting of Hajji Hotak.' Author Jamil Jan Ko…
3 years, 8 months ago
'X' portrays dystopian reality among the marginalized where they are exported
The setting for today's book could be an "alternate version of right now," according to author Davey Davis. They spoke with Anna Sale in an interview…
3 years, 8 months ago
'Why Didn't You Tell Me?' explores a false origin story for the price of assimilation
Today's book evaluates the price of assimilation when representation, identity and belonging are erased. In Why Didn't You Tell Me?, author Carmen Ri…
3 years, 8 months ago
Two books show life as seen through the eyes of the animal kingdom
Today's episode features two books that reach deep into the animal world. First, E.O. Wilson sits down with Robert Seigel to discuss how the narrativ…
3 years, 8 months ago
The history of control over women and their bodies is central in 'The Foundling'
Today's fictional book is set in very non-fictional circumstances. Novelist Ann Leary was trying to learn about her grandmother's history as an orpha…
3 years, 8 months ago