2008 National Book Festival | National Book Festival | Podcasts

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Michelle Singletary: 2008 National Book Festival “Credit is evil,” says author and personal finance expert Michelle Singletary. She explains why credit has been abused by individuals, corporations and the federal government; tells how Americans can survive the current economic crisis; and highlights the spending differences between men and women.BiographyMichelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post. Nominated for a Pulitzer, her award-winning column, “The Color of Money,”…

Contributor: Michelle Singletary
Date: 2008-09-23

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Peter Robinson: 2008 National Book Festival Crime novelist Peter Robinson talks about how his character Inspector Banks has evolved over 21 years; shares writing tips that he teaches in his classes; and reminiscences about the writers who influenced him, including his tutor who became a world renowned author.Biography“Friend of the Devil” (HarperCollins/William Morrow, 2008) marks Peter Robinson’s 17th installment of his Inspector Banks series. His best-selling novels have been honored…

Contributor: Peter Robinson
Date: 2008-09-23

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Geraldine Brooks: 2008 National Book Festival When writing a novel, Geraldine Brooks loves to fill in the gaps in history with her imagination. She illuminates her writing techniques, explaining why she must first find the voice in her stories; talks about her latest book, “People of the Book,” that provides the reader with a vivid lesson in history; and tells how she weaves fact with realistic fiction in her storytelling:…

Contributor: Geraldine Brooks
Date: 2008-09-12

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Dionne Warwick: 2008 National Book Festival After garnering international fame as a singer, five Grammy Awards and nearly 60 charted hits, music legend Dionne Warwick says she is still reaching for her dream. She reveals why she wrote a children’s book instead of an autobiography of her life; discusses her global humanitarian efforts; and explains the genesis of her mantra: If you can think it, you can do it.BiographyInternational music…

Contributor: Dionne Warwick
Date: 2008-09-04

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Cokie Roberts: 2008 National Book Festival Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts has become an expert on the nation’s founding mothers. She dispels some of the misconceptions about them and shares insight into her early years spent in the halls of Congress.BiographyCokie Roberts is a New York Times best-selling author, a political commentator for ABC News and a senior news analyst for National Public Radio. She was named one of the…

Contributor: Cokie Roberts
Date: 2008-09-03

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Marisa de los Santos: Book Festival 08 “I have always been word obsessed,” says Marisa de los Santos. She talks about the music of language; shares little-known details about her third book; and reveals why learning about the human side of Clara Barton, Joan of Arc and Helen Keller inspired her.Biography:Poet and author Marisa de los Santos loves words. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she earned a master’s degree…

Contributor: Marisa De Los Santos
Date: 2008-09-02

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Walter Isaacson: 2008 National Book Festival Journalist and author Walter Isaacson discusses what made Albert Einstein unique; reveals the lesson that he always includes in his biographies; and explains how the Aspen Institute is helping to create a middle-class in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories.BiographyWalter Isaacson is a successful journalist and biographer. He has been chairman and CEO of CNN and the managing editor of Time magazine. He…

Contributor: Walter Isaacson
Date: 2008-08-20

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Bob Schieffer: 2008 National Book Festival Broadcast news legend Bob Schieffer shares his extraordinary experience covering John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963; describes how the Web has become the “unfettered Wild West” for news; and explains why some of the best news stories come out of the Pentagon.BiographyBob Schieffer has been with CBS News since 1969. He is CBS’s chief Washington correspondent and the host of its Sunday public affairs…

Contributor: Bob Schieffer
Date: 2008-08-19

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Louis Bayard: 2008 National Book Festival Louis Bayard says that writing is its own insanity and feels compelled to do it. He discusses the craft of writing detective fiction and how he rides the line between staying true to facts and allowing his imagination to shape his stories.BiographyA critically acclaimed novelist, reviewer and journalist, Louis Bayard has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nerve.com…

Contributor: Louis Bayard
Date: 2008-08-13

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Kimberly Dozier: 2008 National Book Festival Injured by a car bomb while covering the war in Iraq, award-winning journalist Kimberly Dozier talks about how she survived the act of terrorism that killed her colleagues; explains her reasons for writing “Breathing the Fire” (Meredith, 2008) about her experiences in Iraq; and shares some advice to budding journalists.BiographyKimberly Dozier is an award-winning CBS News correspondent, who reported primarily on the war in…

Contributor: Kimberly Dozier
Date: 2008-08-12

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Philippa Gregory: 2008 National Book Festival Award-winning British author Philippa Gregory talks about her latest book “The Other Queen” (Simon & Schuster, September 2008); weaves a thrilling tale of royal intrigue among the Tudors; and explains why she will confine her passion for history to England.BiographyWhile completing her Ph.D. in 18th-century literature, Philippa Gregory wrote her first novel, “Wideacre,” which became an instant international best-seller. She has gone on to…

Contributor: Philippa Gregory
Date: 2008-08-12

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Brad Meltzer: 2008 National Book Festival “Every novel is just a big, fat lie trying to masquerade as the truth,” says novelist Brad Meltzer. He talks about the genesis of his new book, the real story behind the creation of the comic book character Superman, and why the biblical interpretation of Cain and Abel is wrong.BiographyBrad Meltzer has nearly 3 million books in print that have been translated into more…

Contributor: Brad Meltzer
Date: 2008-08-05

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R.L. Stine: 2008 National Book Festival R. L. Stine dishes up writing secrets, ghoulish fun and other things that go bump in the night.BiographyR. L. Stine started writing joke books at the age of nine. He is the author of more than 100 books, which have sold more than 400 million copies, making him one of the best-selling children’s book authors in history. Among his best known writings are the…

Contributor: R. L. Stine
Date: 2008-07-25

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Joseph Bruchac: Book Festival 08 Joseph Bruchac talks about the genesis of his latest book, the art of storytelling and his dual heritage.BiographyJoseph Bruchac draws on the Adirondacks, where he lives, and on his Native American heritage (Abenaki) for storytelling and writing. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in more than 500 publications, from American Poetry Review to Smithsonian magazine. He has written more than 70 books for…

Contributor: Joseph Bruchac
Date: 2008-07-22

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Sharon M. Draper: 2008 National Book Festival Sharon M. Draper talks about “Reading Across Continents” and explains why hope and redemption describe her latest book.BiographySharon M. Draper is an award-winning author, poet, educator and speaker. She was honored as the National Teacher of the Year and received the Excellence in Education Award. As a popular conference speaker, she addresses educational and literary groups both nationally and internationally. She is a five-time…

Contributor: Sharon M. Draper
Date: 2008-07-22

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Jan Brett: 2008 National Book Festival Jan Brett discusses how she creates her popular illustrations and gives insight into the symbolism in her artwork.BiographyIn addition to illustrating classic stories, such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” famed children’s author and illustrator Jan Brett has written and illustrated a long list of her own books including “Berlioz the Bear” and “The Umbrella.” Her latest book is “Gingerbread Friends” (Penguin, September 2008).…

Contributor: Jan Brett
Date: 2008-07-16

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Jon Scieszka: 2008 National Book Festival Jon Scieszka shares writing tips; tells parents how to inspire their children to read more; and discusses his job as the nation’s ambassador for young readers.BiographyJon Scieszka shares writing tips; tells parents how to inspire their children to read more; and discusses his job as the nation’s ambassador for young readers.Biography:Jon Scieszka, appointed the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library…

Contributor: Jon Scieszka
Date: 2008-07-14

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Kay Ryan: 2008 National Book Festival Kay Ryan talks about her appointment as the nation’s new Poet Laureate; reads several of her poems; and provides a glimpse into the hidden depths of her poetry.BiographyPoet Kay Ryan was recently appointed as the Library of Congress’s 16th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2008-2009. She has written six books of poetry, plus a limited edition artist’s book, along with a number of…

Contributor: Kay Ryan
Date: 2008-07-11

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Arthur Frommer and Pauline Frommer: 2008 National Book Festival Arthur Frommer and his daughter Pauline provide advice on how to beat the high gas prices during summer vacation and the latest travel hot spots.BiographyForemost travel authority Arthur Frommer’s series of guides, published by Wiley, Inc., consists of more than 340 titles reaching more than six million travelers per year covering every major travel destination in the world. He also writes countless magazine articles…

Contributor: Pauline Frommer - Arthur Frommer
Date: 2008-07-08

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Warren Brown: 2008 National Book Festival Warren Brown talks about his latest book, reveals his secrets to making delicious treats and shares some of his most sought-after recipes.BiographyBrown gave up his law career to bake cakes. His dream of opening a bakery was realized with the debut of CakeLove in 2002, immediately becoming the most popular dessert shop in the District of Columbia. He has since opened additional stores in…

Contributor: Warren Brown
Date: 2008-07-08