Arts

Books
Arts

The Agonizing Collision Of Love And Slavery In 'Thomas Jefferson'

7:00am April 06, 2016

by Jean Zimmerman

The real, historical Thomas Jefferson never wrote anything about Sally Hemings, his slave and companion for decades. But she comes to life in a complex new novel from author Stephen O'Connor.

Books
Arts

Encore: Author Explores The Murder Of Kitty Genovese

11:03pm April 05, 2016

Winston Moseley, the man who brutally murdered Catherine "Kitty" Genovese in March 1964, has died in prison at age 81. This story originally aired on March 3, 2014, on All Things Considered.

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The women of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory helped launch the first American satellites, lunar missions and planetary explorations. Those "human computers," as they were called, are seen here in 1953.

Meet The 'Rocket Girls,' The Women Who Charted The Course To Space

5:56pm April 05, 2016

by NPR Staff

Before there were digital computers, there were "human computers," women who used pencils and paper to do the math that helped carry the U.S. into space. Nathalia Holt tells their story in a new book.

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Arts

22 Years After Famous Firing, Kathleen Battle Returns To Metropolitan Opera

5:05pm April 05, 2016

The opera singer Kathleen Battle is set to return to the Metropolitan Opera — 22 years after she was famously dismissed for "unprofessional actions."

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Students chat, nap and take notes in this 14th century lecture by Henricus de Alemania, painted by Laurentius de Voltolina.

Wax Tablets, Chicken Rustling And The Medieval Roots Of The Modern University

4:45pm April 05, 2016

by Byrd Pinkerton

Universities have changed significantly since the Middle Ages. James Axtell describes just how far higher education has come in his new book, Wisdom's Workshop.

Books
Arts

This Novel Doesn't Find Meaning In Cancer, It Gives Its Malevolence Full Due

4:23pm April 05, 2016

by Maureen Corrigan

Charles Bock could have chosen to write this story as an autobiography. Alice & Oliver is based on a real-life nightmare in which his wife — then a young mother — was diagnosed with leukemia.

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Admiral Ackbar pauses before delivering his immortal line: "It's a trap!" Voice actor Erik Bauersfeld, who uttered those words, has died.

Arts

'Star Wars' Voice Actor Who, As Admiral Ackbar, Warned 'It's A Trap!' Dies At 93

3:55pm April 05, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Erik Bauersfeld's amphibious rebel commander was far from the biggest role that the Star Wars movies had to offer. But three words transformed a bit part into a fan favorite: "It's a trap!"

Arts

Laid-Off Tech Journalist Joins A Start-Up, Finds It's Part Frat, Part Cult

2:14pm April 05, 2016

Dan Lyons was in his 50s when he lost his job reporting on the tech industry. He took a job at a start-up, where he was the old guy. His new book is Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble.

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Nate Swain poses for a photo by his artwork.

Unraveled: The Mystery Of The Secret Street Artist In Boston

10:37am April 05, 2016

by Tovia Smith

Someone has been using Lego blocks to repair the corner of a crumbling brick building in Boston. Reporter Tovia Smith set out to investigate who this person is and what else he has been up to.

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Books
Arts

It's Love That's Important In 'The Truth About Death'

7:00am April 05, 2016

by Heller McAlpin

Robert Hellenga's new collection contains nine searching, mature stories about grand passions, fleeting romantic adventures, and facing the end of life with few illusions.