Greil Marcus tells Steve Paulson that self-invention has been a part of American nationhood since Puritan times.
Greil Marcus tells Steve Paulson that self-invention has been a part of American nationhood since Puritan times.
Gary Brecher is a data entry clerk in Fresno, California. But he's better known as "War Nerd," which is the title of his column in Moscow's English language alternative newspaper and his book, "The War Nerd."
Brian Turner was an average young American who volunteered for military service in Iraq. At night he wrote poetry by flashlight. When his tour ended, he collected his poems into a book called "Here, Bullet." This one is called "A Night in Blue."
Glenn Kay talks to Jim Fleming about some of the 300 zombie films he has seen, rated, and reviewed.
Historian Harold Schechter tells Anne Strainchamps that violence has always been an important part of popular entertainment and our ancestors enjoyed truly grisly spectacles.
George Dyson tells Anne Strainchamps that his father was on the team that imagined using tiny atomic bombs to propel a huge spaceship around the solar system.
Greg Mortensen is the author of "Three Cups of Tea." The book explains how a failed attempt to climb K2 led to a program to build schools in the heart of Taliban country in Pakistan and Afghanistan with local people and donated money.
Garrison Keillor, host of A Prairie Home Companion, recalls his coming of age in his novel, “Lake Woebegon: Summer of 1956.”