John F. Blair, Publisher Celebrates 60th Anniversary
In 1974 John F. Blair, founder of John F. Blair, Publisher, gave a speech. He addressed the ever-relevant concerns of the book publishing industry. He recognized that it was in danger of becoming "uniform, mechanized, controlled." Nevertheless, he said, "I believe that the best days of independent publishing are still to come".
A Tale Of Asian Gangs Unleashed In 'Green Dragons' Film
The film Revenge of the Green Dragons is based on the true story of a Chinese-American gang in New York City that helped traffic unauthorized immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s.
If Literature's Great Characters Could Text, They'd Charm Your Pantalets Off
Texts from Jane Eyre imagines a Mr. Rochester who worries over his "attic wife" and a super flirty Scarlett O'Hara: "did you know that pantalets are out this year[?] that's why I'm not wearing any :)"
First Rule In iPhone Photography: Edit, Edit, Edit
Professional photographer David Hume Kennerly has produced a book of photos taken with his iPhone. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to the Pulitzer Prize winner about how to avoid "visual mediocrity."
Mark Strand's Poetry Moved Easily From Common To Sublime
Poet laureate Mark Strand has died at age 80. He spurned conventional form and wrote spare and haunting prose, which won him the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1999.
An Aging Rake, An Ingenue, And A Strapping Young Painter In 'Tristana'
NYRB Classics has just reissued Tristana, an 1892 novel by the great Spanish author Benito Pérez Galdós. Critic Juan Vidal says Tristana's intelligence and emotional richness is comparable to Dickens.
In 'Imitation Game,' An Outsider Takes Center Stage
Director Morten Tyldum says he wanted the film, about World War II code breaker Alan Turing, to show "how important it is to actually celebrate those who are different than us instead of fear them."
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Mark Strand Dies At 80
The Canadian-born poet was known for his wit and introspection. He also won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and Yale University's Bollingen Prize.
Jesus Started A Chain Letter — And Other Hoaxes
After Jesus died, he supposedly wrote a letter to Earth. A copy of that letter is now on display, along with other historic fakes and forgeries including a famous — and bogus — anti-Semitic tract.
Documentary Recalls The Talented, Difficult Life Of Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby has long been the voice of the Christmas season, and now he's the subject of a new American Masters documentary. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Kathryn and Mary Crosby about his legacy.