Books

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-03/stuart-firestein-ignorance-how-it-drives-science-rebroadcast

Stuart Firestein: "Ignorance: How It Drives Science" (Rebroadcast)

September 3, 2012

A neuroscientist claims that ignorance--not knowledge--is the true engine of science. He explains how scientists use ignorance to concentrate their research, and why "not knowing" is one of the greatest benefits to science.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-28/e-books-and-libraries

E-Books And Libraries

August 28, 2012

More than three-quarters of the nation's public libraries lend books electronically, a fact that's not widely known among the reading public. Some publishers worry that e-book borrowers don't buy books. But a recent study suggests that among those who read books electronically, 41 percent of those who borrow them from the library purchased their most recent e-book. Guest host Frank Sesno and his guests discuss the current and future role of e-books at our nation's libraries.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-23/dennis-drabelle-great-american-railroad-war

Dennis Drabelle: "The Great American Railroad War"

August 23, 2012

The story of the Central Pacific Railroad, two writers -- Ambrose Bierce and Frank Norris -- and their battle in print against one of America's most powerful corporations.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-02/lois-banner-marilyn

Lois Banner: "Marilyn"

August 2, 2012

Fifty years after Marilyn Monroe's death, a female biographer says the sexy "dumb blonde" was actually a smart and complex woman of many parts: model, film star, businesswoman and feminist. Lois Banner talks with Diane about her new book, "Marilyn."

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-25/readers-review-possession-romance-byatt
Readers' Review: "Possession: A Romance" by A.S. Byatt

Readers' Review: "Possession: A Romance" by A.S. Byatt

July 25, 2012

Join Diane and her guests for our July Readers’ Review as they discuss a story of wit and romance. A pair of scholars reconstruct the secret affair of two Victorian poets through their poems and letters. One review described "Possession" by A.S. Byatt as “a nearly perfect novel."

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-18/kim-barnes-kingdom-men

Kim Barnes: "In the Kingdom of Men"

July 18, 2012

A new novel follows a young woman from the farmlands of Oklahoma to an oil compound in Saudi Arabia in the 1960s. The search for freedom amid repression.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-16/stephan-talty-agent-garbo-brilliant-eccentric-secret-agent-who-tricked-hitler-and-s

Stephan Talty: "Agent Garbo: The Brilliant, Eccentric Secret Agent Who Tricked Hitler and Saved D-Day"

July 16, 2012

The D-Day invasion of Normandy was pivotal to the outcome of World War II. The story of a double agent who helped shape this battle and defeat the Nazis.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-05/marie-tillman-letter
Marie Tillman: "The Letter"

Marie Tillman: "The Letter"

July 5, 2012

In 2003, Pat Tillman wrote a "just in case" letter to his wife before leaving for Afghanistan to serve with the Army Rangers. She recounts how that letter helped her remake her life after his death.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-06-27/readers-review-tinkers-paul-harding
Readers' Review: "Tinkers" By Paul Harding

Readers' Review: "Tinkers" By Paul Harding

June 27, 2012

Please join us for a Readers' Review discussion of Paul Harding's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Tinkers." It's the story of a New England patriarch on his death bed whose mind is flooded with disjointed memories of his complicated family life.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-06-12/simon-mawer-trapeze

Simon Mawer: "Trapeze"

June 12, 2012

A best-selling British author describes how he blended fact and fiction in his latest novel, "Trapeze." It's the story of a young English woman who joins the Special Operations Executive in World War II and is parachuted behind enemy lines in France.

The Diane Rehm Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.