How Louis Armstrong became the first Black pop star
Author Ricky Riccardi says Armstrong's innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist helped set the entire soundtrack of the 20th century. His new book about Armstrong's early life is Stomp Off, Let's Go.
'Her Body and Other Parties' Charts Dark Territory With Enormous Style
The eight stories in Carmen Maria Machado's new collection feature women in extremis — physical danger, psychological meltdown, treacherous love or close encounters of a ghostly kind.
Journalist Chronicles Ordinary People Fighting Extremism In Africa
New Yorker writer Alexis Okeowo wanted to get past standard journalistic narratives of war and tragedy and show people as flawed, complicated individuals in her new book, A Moonless, Starless Sky.
In A Climate Of Fear, A Comedian Remembers What Makes Her Brave
A rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes made comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh uneasy about performing live. Then she remembered a childhood experience that helped her regain her footing.
Climate Change Journalist Warns: 'Mother Nature Is Playing By Different Rules Now'
Author Jeff Goodell says that American cities are under threat from extreme weather, rising sea levels and lax enforcement of environmental regulations. His new book is The Water Will Come.
Anthony Bourdain On 'Appetites,' Washing Dishes And The Food He Still Won't Eat
The TV host's new documentary is Wasted! The Story of Food Waste. In 2016, Bourdain spoke to Fresh Air about cooking for his young daughter: "If she's not happy, I'm not happy."
'Killing of a Sacred Deer' Is A Twisted Indictment Of White Male Privilege
A heart surgeon develops a strange relationship with a teenage boy in Yorgos Lanthimos' new film. Reviewer Justin Chang says The Killing of a Sacred Deer is an "unnervingly strange" horror movie.
Nora Jane Struthers Is Hard-Headed About Being Open-Hearted On 'Champion'
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has a new album that explores the joys of long-term commitment. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the collection is her most personal and accessible to date.
New Documentary Explores The Spectacular Failure Of 'The Dana Carvey Show'
In 1996, The Dana Carvey Show debuted -- then folded after producing only eight episodes. Critic David Bianculli says Hulu's Too Funny To Fail about the flop is entertaining from beginning to end.
Understanding Mike Pence And His Relationship To Trump: 'His Public Role Is Fawning'
Though President Trump ran as an outsider, New Yorker writer Jane Mayer describes his vice president as "the connective tissue" between Trump and the billionaire donors in the Republican party.