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Denis Johnson

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Innovation: 'Machu Picchu', Homesteading And 'Johnny Appleseed'

Machu Picchu promo

May 23, 2012 This week, there's fresh fiction from Pulitzer finalist Denis Johnson, novelist Tom Perrotta and newspaperman Pete Hamill; plus, travel editor Mark Adams explores Machu Picchu; Melissa Coleman reminisces about growing up off the grid; and Howard Means looks at the life of Johnny Appleseed.

Summary

Best Books Of 2011

Year-End Fiction Wrap-Up: The 10 Best Novels Of 2011

Illustration: Birds wrap a book in red paper.

December 14, 2011 2011 was a terrific year for fiction — both from first-time novelists and much-decorated veterans. Maureen Corrigan's recommendations range from Karen Russell's dazzling debut, to David Foster Wallace's posthumously published novel, to what may be the Sept. 11 novel.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Book Reviews

'Train Dreams' Evokes Frontier Life, Fate And Death

Cover of Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson

August 25, 2011 Denis Johnson writes with controlled and beautiful prose about the "steadying loneliness" of life in the northwestern mountains in his striking new short novel.

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Book Reviews

Hard-Edged Noir Jewel From Denis Johnson

Denis Johnson

April 27, 2009 The criminals in Denis Johnson's hard-edged Nobody Move aren't cool. But with a Mamet-like ear, Johnson — who won the National Book Award for Tree Of Smoke — wrings poetry from his hapless heroes' deadly exploits.

Summary

Book Tour

Hear the National Book Award Winners

Robert Hass

November 20, 2007 Tree of Smoke, Denis Johnson's Vietnam epic, and Legacy of Ashes, Tim Weiner's critical history of the CIA, were among the winners at the 58th annual National Book Awards, held earlier this month in New York.

Summary

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Book Reviews

Johnson Covers Vietnam, CIA in 'Tree of Smoke'

September 4, 2007 Denis Johnson's new novel, Tree of Smoke, is one of the late summer's big books in a number of ways. It covers the Vietnam War and the U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia — and the life of a CIA agent whose career grows with the war. Also, it's more than 600 pages long.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

You Must Read This

Writer Finds a Fated Friend in 'Jesus' Son'

Nathan Englander

July 5, 2007 If you're only going to read one book this year about getting stabbed in the eye and crushing tiny, helpless bunnies, then run right out and get Denis Johnson's Jesus' Son.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Summer Books 2007: Excerpts

Excerpt: 'Jesus' Son'

July 4, 2007 If you're only going to read one book this year about getting stabbed in the eye and crushing tiny, helpless bunnies, then run right out and get Denis Johnson's Jesus' Son.

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