The World's Largest Refugee Camp Looks Like A Slum/Star Wars Mashup
But for thousands of Somali refugees, the camp in Dadaab, Kenya, is the only home they've ever known.
Author Interviews
Richard Thaler: Why Most Economists Might As Well Be Studying Unicorns
Shankar Vedantam talks to Richard Thaler — father of behavioral economics and author of Misbehaving -- about why we so often fail to act the way we should and how marshmallows can predict the future.
How An 1871 Disaster Helped To End America's Whaling Dynasty
David Greene talks to Peter Nichols, author Oil and Ice, a book about a fleet of 33 whaling ships trapped in Arctic ice. Whalers and their families had to escape in tiny rowboats through miles of ice.
Bones And Grooves: The Weird Secret History Of Soviet X-Ray Music
In Cold War Russia, getting your hands on an American rock record was close to impossible. But a few bootleggers found a way to hide their contraband in the last place anyone would think to look.
When 'One Breath' Tests Life: Author Explores Extreme Freediving
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Adam Skolnick about his new book about the extreme sport of freediving. It's called One Breath, and it focuses on the death in 2013 of freediver Nick Mevoli.
'Manners And Mayhem': A Darker, Snarkier Side To Domesticity
NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Helen Ellis, author of the book American Housewife. The book of short stories begins with the line - "Inspired by Beyonce, I stallion walk to the toaster."
'Geography Of Genius' Explores How Surroundings Influence Ideas
Author Eric Weiner identifies Renaissance Florence, Classical Athens and Silicon Valley as "genius clusters." And he explains how the right amount of friction and competition can help geniuses thrive.
75 Years Of 'Pal Joey'
Penguin Classics has published a 75th Anniversary presentation of the John O'Hara novel, and the libretto and lyrics of the musical. Scott talks to Thomas Mallon, who wrote the book's forward.
Anonymous Football Player Details Fear Of Health Risks In 'NFL Confidential'
In part two of their conversation, NPR's Audie Cornish talks to an anonymous professional football player, whose new book is called NFL Confidential, about the fear of injury from playing football.
Does The Road To Changing The World Go Through City Hall?
Political theorist Benjamin Barber argues that cities and city mayors are the key to bypassing political gridlock and solving many of our global challenges.