Ken Burns' 'The Roosevelts' Explores An American Family's Demons
In a new PBS documentary series, Burns turns his lens to Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and how each triumphed over adversity.
Arts
How 'Gatsby' Went From A Moldering Flop To A Great American Novel
In So We Read On, Maureen Corrigan looks at the story behind The Great Gatsby, from F. Scott Fitzgerald's life to the era in which it's set. She says it's her favorite novel, but it wasn't always.
James Ellroy's 'Perfidia' Is A Brutal, Beautiful Police Procedural
Perfidia is a sprawling novel that takes place in 1940s LA. There are Pearl Harbor, internment camps, schemes within schemes. Ellroy weaves an epic tale that evokes an ugly time and an awful place.
In A Brilliantly Disorienting Film, A Teenager Is 'Starred Up' To An Adult Prison
The British drama depicts remarkable characters, including an angry teenager who meets two father figures behind bars. It's a prison film that's shattering beyond physical violence.
Comedians Take A Dark Turn In 'Skeleton Twins'
The Skeleton Twins is a new movie starring comedian Bill Hader as the estranged twin of Kristen Wiig. Hader talks with NPR's Scott Simon about his serious movie.
Stars Line Up To Reimagine Laura Nyro
The late Laura Nyro penned hits, including "And When I Die" and "Save the Country." NPR's Scott Simon speaks with composer Billy Childs about his new album of tributes, Reimagining Laura Nyro.
The Considered Bite: Low-Carb Diets And Our Relationship With Food
According to a new study, cutting back on carbs can lead to weight loss. Dana Goodyear and Jason Sheehan explore how to eat enjoyably, by recommending Tartine Bread and The Gastronomical Me.