About Books, June 28, 2008

Henry Shukman, author of "The Lost City," is a travel writer, short story writer and poet. This is his first novel. It's the story of a Brit, at loose ends after leaving the service, who travels to the jungles of South America following the footsteps of a friend who died and looking for treasure. Looking for a life, really. He encounters an intriguing group of characters including Sarah, a young American; Beltran, a priest; and Ignacio, an orphan.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

About Books, June 21, 2008

Ned Sublette is a composer, guitarist, and leading scholar of Cuban music. He spent a year in New Orleans prior to Katrina and the result was a new book, "The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square." The book tells the story of New Orleans' first century, approximately 1719 to 1819, and the influence that Spain, France, Santo Domingo and the English had on the city. You'll meet all kinds of fascinating characters and learn a lot about the origins, slave history and the music and dances of New Orleans.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

About Books, June 14, 2008

Janet Lembke's book, "Because the Cat Purrs: How we relate to other species and why it matters," is filled with amazing human/animal relationships. For example, did you know that a pet turtle can "ask" to be let out of his cage and can "ask" to be let outside? Did you know that mice evolved from dinosaurs or that morning glory seeds are an hallucinogen? This and much more can be learned from "Because the Cat Purrs." Lembke is, in addition to be a natural history writer, a poet and a translator of the classics. She says what she enjoys most about writing is posing a question and then writing her way to an answer.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

About Books, June 7, 2008

William Link has written a mammoth and interesting biography: "Jesse Helms and the Rise of Modern Conservatism." Senator Helms was from North Carolina and had a background in the media. He used that expertise to win elections. Issues of desegreation and sexuality were important to him. He developed a political organization that was very successful in raising money and promoting conservative causes. "His legacy lives on the the unilaterism of the Bush administration," says William Link, a history professor from the University of Florida.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm