Myth And History Collide In 'The Erstwhile'
The second installment of B. Catling's trilogy is full of oddities and quirks and familiar characters.
Books
Author Unravels Her Spy Dad's Life, One Secret Mission At A Time
Keggie Carew grew up with her father's stories of parachuting into the jungle and working as a spy in Burma. She wasn't sure how much to believe until she started researching her new book, Dadland.
From Refugees To Politics, Mohsin Hamid Writes The Change He Wants To See
"All of us who are writers are doing something that actually matters," Hamid says. His latest novel, Exit West, follows a couple who have to decide whether to flee their homeland.
'All Grown Up' Is The Picture Of Someone Who Isn't (And A Voice That's Nothing New)
Jamie Attenberg's newest novel follows a woman living her life unapologetically, and on her own terms. But that kind of life can is not necessarily a good one.
Author Says Hitler Was 'Blitzed' On Cocaine And Opiates During The War
Author Norman Ohler says that Adolf Hitler's drug abuse increased "significantly" from the fall of 1941 until winter of 1944: "Hitler needed those highs to substitute [for] his natural charisma."
Rebuilding A Father's Life — But Tearing Down His Myths — In 'Dadland'
Keggie Carew's father was a genuine war hero, but he was on shakier ground close to home. And after he began to suffer from dementia, Carew set out to reconstruct — and demythologize — his life.
'On Tyranny' Explores New Threats Facing American Political System
NPR's Robert Siegel talks with historian Timothy Snyder about his new book, On Tyranny, which explores the new threats faced by our political order and how we can look back to the 20th century for lessons on how to overcome them.
Mohsin Hamid's Novel 'Exit West' Raises Immigration Issues
Steve Inskeep talks to Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid, who examines the global refugee crisis in a new novel called Exit West. The book is part ripped from the headlines and part magic realism.
A Middle-Aged Coming Of Age In 'All Grown Up'
Novelist Jami Attenberg tells the story of Andrea Bern — a failed artist who, as she turns 40, is seeking a path to personal and professional happiness.
A Doctor On Why He Volunteered To Fight Ebola In Liberia
In 2014, Dr. Steven Hatch traveled to Liberia to treat people infected with the Ebola virus. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with him about his new book, Inferno: A Doctor's Ebola Story.