Fresh Air
Weekdays at 7:00pm
Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.
Rachel Kushner's new espionage thriller may be her coolest book yet
In Creation Lake, a hard-drinking American spy infiltrates a radical farming collective in a remote region of France. Kushner challenges readers to keep up with her and not to flinch.
Attacked By Alt-Right Trolls, A Jewish Journalist Links Trump To The Rise Of Hate
by Terry Gross
Trump "has made nationalist policy into the policy of the executive branch," says New York Times editor Jonathan Weisman. His new book, (((Semitism))), is about being Jewish in the Trump era.
CD Set Offers A Long, Satisfying View Of The New York Philharmonic Orchestra
by Lloyd Schwartz
The New York Philharmonic celebrates its 175th birthday with a box set dating back to its very first recordings a century ago, featuring some of the greatest musicians of the 20th-century.
From 'F-Bomb' To 'Photobomb,' How The Dictionary Keeps Up With English
by Terry Gross
New words that enter the dictionary must meet three criteria, says Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper: widespread use, sustained use and meaningful use. Originally broadcast April 19, 2017.
Amy Rigby Maintains Her Punk Mischievousness On 'The Old Guys'
by Ken Tucker
Rigby's new album, which features jangly guitars and thumping drums, sounds like an old-fashioned rock 'n' roll album. But critic Ken Tucker says that The Old Guy is definitely not "a nostalgia item."
The Kronos Quartet Explodes Its Range On Two New Collaborations
by Milo Miles
Two new records showcase the quartet's recent collaborations with Laurie Anderson and a group from Mali. Critic Milo Miles says it's evident how much time and care went into Landfall and Ladilikan.
Robots Are Now 'Creating New Robots,' Tech Reporter Says
by Terry Gross
The evolution of artificial intelligence has exploded over the past five years, leading to computers that can drive and talk. New York Times' Cade Metz explains how machines are learning on their own.
Humor Blends With Tragedy In The Farcical 'Death of Stalin'
by David Edelstein
Armando Iannucci's new film satirizes the days in 1953 when the Soviet Union lost its totalitarian leader and members of his inner circle argued, plotted and killed while selecting a successor.
From The 'Fresh Air' Archives: Eddie Bunker, Who Honed His Writing Craft In Prison
Bunker, who died in 2005, spent 18 years in prison before becoming a successful writer. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1985 film Runaway Train, which helped launch the career of actor Danny Trejo.