NPR Columns: Book Tour http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10448909&ft=1&f=10448909 Book Tour is a Web feature and podcast. Each week, we present leading contemporary authors of both fiction and nonfiction as they read from and discuss their current work. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:11:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Book Tour http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10448909&ft=1&f=10448909 In Search Of The Holy Dead From dismembered toes to leathery tongues, Peter Manseau explores the centuries-old obsession with relics, the body parts of long-dead saints and spiritual leaders. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103113483&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103113483&ft=1&f=10448909 From dismembered toes to leathery tongues, Peter Manseau explores the centuries-old obsession with relics, the body parts of long-dead saints and spiritual leaders.

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]]> A Witty Tale Of Academia And Angst Emily Fox Gordon skewers the foibles of academic life in <em>It Will Come to Me,</em> a comic novel set on the campus of a large Southern university. The book is the first work of fiction from the acclaimed memoirist. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:14:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102895271&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102895271&ft=1&f=10448909 Emily Fox Gordon skewers the foibles of academic life in It Will Come to Me, a comic novel set on the campus of a large Southern university. The book is the first work of fiction from the acclaimed memoirist.

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]]> A Delusional Odyssey Through New York's Tunnels In John Wray's new novel, <em>Lowboy,</em> a schizophrenic teenager goes off his meds and disappears into the New York subway system. His mission: to save the world by losing his virginity. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102584267&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102584267&ft=1&f=10448909 In John Wray's new novel, Lowboy, a schizophrenic teenager goes off his meds and disappears into the New York subway system. His mission: to save the world by losing his virginity.

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]]> Stories From Two Bright New Literary Voices A recent issue of the literary magazine <em>Granta</em> included moving stories from two new writers: Daniyal Mueenuddin, author of the book <em>In Other Rooms, Other Wonders;</em> and Justin Torres. The writers read from their works. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102408799&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102408799&ft=1&f=10448909 A recent issue of the literary magazine Granta included moving stories from two new writers: Daniyal Mueenuddin, author of the book In Other Rooms, Other Wonders; and Justin Torres. The writers read from their works.

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]]> Tracking The Cold War's Legacy In The Middle East In <em>Sowing Crisis,</em> Middle East scholar Rashid Khalidi examines how Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union continue to undermine stability in the Middle East. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102041312&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102041312&ft=1&f=10448909 In Sowing Crisis, Middle East scholar Rashid Khalidi examines how Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union continue to undermine stability in the Middle East.

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]]> A Superhero For A Self-Absorbed Society Once a popular superhero, Captain Freedom's fame is in decline. In G. Xavier Robillard's satire of our celebrity-obsessed pop culture, Freedom does what any self-respecting superhero would do: hires a life coach and starts searching for his roots. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101685456&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101685456&ft=1&f=10448909 Once a popular superhero, Captain Freedom's fame is in decline. In G. Xavier Robillard's satire of our celebrity-obsessed pop culture, Freedom does what any self-respecting superhero would do: hires a life coach and starts searching for his roots.

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]]> An Epic Of Ethiopia, Full Of Medical Lore Physician Abraham Verghese's debut novel, <em>Cutting for Stone,</em> is a big, sprawling story of an Ethiopian surgeon, his family and his craft. The author is best known for his memoir <em>My Own Country.</em> Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101416445&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101416445&ft=1&f=10448909 Physician Abraham Verghese's debut novel, Cutting for Stone, is a big, sprawling story of an Ethiopian surgeon, his family and his craft. The author is best known for his memoir My Own Country.

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]]> T.C. Boyle's 'Women' Recasts Frank Lloyd Wright Bio Writer T.C. Boyle explores the scandalous and passionate turns in the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright through the perspective of his wives and mistresses. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101170584&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101170584&ft=1&f=10448909 Writer T.C. Boyle explores the scandalous and passionate turns in the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright through the perspective of his wives and mistresses.

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]]> The Man Who Signed His Name 'A. Lincoln' Drawing on recently discovered letters and photographs, historian Ronald C. White offers a new, highly praised biography of America's 16th president. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:43:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100899483&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100899483&ft=1&f=10448909 Drawing on recently discovered letters and photographs, historian Ronald C. White offers a new, highly praised biography of America's 16th president.

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]]> 'So Damn Much Money': The Influence Of Lobbyists When former DNC Chair Robert Strauss said, "There's just so damn much money in it," Robert Kaiser knew he had a title for his book on the multibillion-dollar world of political lobbying. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:31:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100706260&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100706260&ft=1&f=10448909 When former DNC Chair Robert Strauss said, "There's just so damn much money in it," Robert Kaiser knew he had a title for his book on the multibillion-dollar world of political lobbying.

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]]> In A New Memoir, Azar Nafisi Breaks Her Silence Set against the backdrop of a changing Iran, the author's <em>Things I've Been Silent About</em> shares the personal story of her family. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:49:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100170373&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100170373&ft=1&f=10448909 Set against the backdrop of a changing Iran, the author's Things I've Been Silent About shares the personal story of her family.

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]]> Examining The Fiery Legacy Of Andrew Jackson In <em>American Lion</em>, Jon Meacham delivers a portrait of the war-grizzled seventh president, a fierce populist who reshaped the executive branch. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:51:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99915988&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99915988&ft=1&f=10448909 In American Lion, Jon Meacham delivers a portrait of the war-grizzled seventh president, a fierce populist who reshaped the executive branch.

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]]> A Final, Epic Work From Roberto Bolano When the Chilean-born, Mexican-reared Bolano died in 2003, he was virtually unknown in the English-speaking world. Six years later, critics are calling him one of the greatest modern writers. Editor Lorin Stein discusses his last novel, <em>2666.</em> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:21:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99517680&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99517680&ft=1&f=10448909 When the Chilean-born, Mexican-reared Bolano died in 2003, he was virtually unknown in the English-speaking world. Six years later, critics are calling him one of the greatest modern writers. Editor Lorin Stein discusses his last novel, 2666.

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]]> Joseph Priestley And 'The Invention Of Air' Steven Johnson recounts the story of the 18th century radical thinker Joseph Priestley, scientist, theologian and one of America's lesser known Founding Fathers. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:31:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99343668&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99343668&ft=1&f=10448909 Steven Johnson recounts the story of the 18th century radical thinker Joseph Priestley, scientist, theologian and one of America's lesser known Founding Fathers.

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]]> Politics And Play: America's Rebel Athletes In <em>A People's History of Sports in the United States,</em> Dave Zirin offers a witty alternative history of America as seen through the games its people played. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:08:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99127215&ft=1&f=10448909 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99127215&ft=1&f=10448909 In A People's History of Sports in the United States, Dave Zirin offers a witty alternative history of America as seen through the games its people played.

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