A conversation with R. Crumb, the king of underground comics
Crumb's comics were staples of 1960s counterculture. He's now the subject of a new biography. Crumb spoke to Fresh Air in 2005, and again, with his wife, fellow comic Aline Kominsky Crumb, in 2007.
'Road to Surrender' revisits the final weeks of World War II
Author Evan Thomas tells the story of American leaders wrestling with the terrifying dilemmas of nuclear weapons and of determined Japanese leaders confronting the humiliating prospect of defeat.
A new book celebrates the contributions of America's Black working class
In Black Folk, Blair Kelley portrays generations of Black workers — Pullman porters, domestic laborers, USPS employees, COVID-19 essential workers — who have contributed to the nation's prosperity.
Janelle Monáe's 'The Age of Pleasure' album is exactly that
Monáe has been releasing albums that mix R&B, pop and rap since 2007 — this is the artist's first since 2018. In recent years, Monáe has appeared in the films Moonlight, Hidden Figures and Glass Onion.
Fresh Air Weekend: Kwame Alexander and Lidia Bastianich
Why Fathers Cry at Night, is Alexander's collection of essays and poems about love, divorce and raising children. Chef Lidia Bastianich looks back on her family's life in Europe after World War II.
John Mellencamp releases his 25th album: 'Orpheus Descending'
Mellencamp had big hits in the '80s, including "Jack and Diane" and "Small Town." He performed "Pink Houses" for Obama's inaugural concert. Mellencamp joins us to talk about his life and music.
Flawed chatbot or threat to society? Both? We explore the risks and benefits of AI
Artificial intelligence experts recently signed an open letter warning that AI could destroy humanity. New York Times reporter Cade Metz explains why we are at a turning point with this technology.
'An Amerikan Family' traces the legacy of Tupac Shakur's influential family
The late rapper — who was killed at 25 in 1996 — would have turned 52 this year. Santi Elijah Holley's new book follows the Shakur family tree and their work in the Black Liberation Movement.
Central Park birder Christian Cooper on being 'a Black man in the natural world'
Cooper was birdwatching in Central Park in 2020 when a white woman falsely accused him of threatening her. His book chronicles life as a Black birder, gay activist and Marvel comics writer and editor.