Books

'Supreme Inequality' Argues That America's Top Court Has Become Right-Wing

1:50pm February 24, 2020

by Terry Gross

In a new book, lawyer/journalist Adam Cohen makes the case that the Supreme Court has been "a right-wing court for 50 years," siding with corporations and the wealthy — and against the poor.

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Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America, by Adam Cohen

'Supreme Inequality' Makes A Case That The Top U.S. Court Has Widened The Wealth Gap

12:16pm February 24, 2020

by Martha Anne Toll

Lawyer and journalist Adam Cohen explores five decades of Supreme Court opinions and comes to a rueful conclusion: These decisions have greatly exacerbated the space between rich and poor.

Jessica Simpson Talks Of Alcohol Abuse, Finding Herself Again In Memoir 'Open Book'

7:35am February 23, 2020

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

"There's never been a moment in my life that I've been more honest with myself," the pop singer tells NPR. "I finally feel free of everything that I was holding secret and holding to myself."

2 Of Paris Climate Negotiators Lay Out 2 Scenarios In Their New Book

7:27am February 23, 2020

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with climate scientists Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac about their new book, "The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis."

Books
Arts

In 'Foul Is Fair,' Lady Macbeth Goes To Prep School

7:00am February 23, 2020

by Alethea Kontis

Hannah Capin's new young adult novel is a modern-day retelling of Macbeth — centered on Lady Macbeth, now a high-schooler taking bloody revenge on the prep school boys who assaulted her at a party.

Who Should Decide What Books Are Allowed In Prison?

8:04pm February 22, 2020

by Lee Gaines

The Color Purple, The Hate U Give and American Sign Language textbooks have all been censored in U.S. prisons. A recent report describes the restrictions as "arbitrary" and "opaque."

Former Watergate Lawyer Reflects On Her Role In The Case

7:31am February 22, 2020

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with former Watergate assistant special prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks about her new book, "The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President."

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Rahm Emanuel Says Mayors Are Democracy's Real Engines Of Change

7:31am February 22, 2020

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks to the former Chicago mayor and Obama official about his new book, "The Nation City: Why Mayors Are Now Running The World."

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Books

The Complicated Pursuit Of Perfect

7:31am February 22, 2020

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks with author Elizabeth Tallent about her new memoir, "Scratched," which recounts her lifelong struggle with perfectionism.

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A growing field of science shows that friendship is vital to our health.

Survival Of The Friendliest: How Our Close Friendships Help Us Thrive

7:01am February 22, 2020

by Elena Renken

In her new book, Lydia Denworth makes the case for the vital necessity of friendship, tracing its effects on your genes, on your brain and even on animals like sheep and fish.