The Bob Edwards Show, June 18-22, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012: Derek Jacobi is one of Britain’s most celebrated and respected actors. He first left his mark on the stage after being invited by Laurence Olivier to become a founding member of the Royal National Theater. Jacobi has played most of Shakespeare’s major roles, but it was his performance as a stammering Roman emperor in the epic BBC series I, Claudius that brought him international attention. Acorn Media has just released a 35th anniversary edition of I, Claudius on DVD. And last year the company released Discovering Hamlet, a 1990 documentary about Jacobi’s directorial debut with Kenneth Branaugh as Hamlet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012: In 1876, an amateur birder named Genevieve Jones resolved to illustrate a book of nests and eggs inspired by the work of naturalist John James Audubon. Tragically, Jones died before she completed her project, and her family finished the book in her memory. The completed version – with only 90 published – became one of the most prized naturalist books of the 19th century. Now, America’s Other Audubon, a full reprinting of Jones’ remarkable work, is available. Bob talks with scholar Joy Kiser about her work on this project. Then, income disparities in the United States are now more vast than at any point since the Great Depression. The average CEO makes over $11 million dollars a year while the median household income for African Americans is just over $32,000 a year. Peter Edelman explains why it’s so hard to end poverty in America in his new book, So Rich, So Poor.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012: Paul Theroux spent four years after college in Malawi as a Peace Corps volunteer. Now, the prolific author of nearly 30 fiction novels and 15 travel books returns there in the tale of a retiree who returns to the Malawi village where he spent his own best years … only to find himself trapped by the people he came to help. Then, Salon.com book critic and writer Laura Miller share what’s on her reading list this summer.
Thursday, June 21, 2012: Bob talks with Grammy-winning musician Rodney Crowell and best-selling author Mary Karr about their new musical collaboration. The two artists grew up a few years and a few dozen miles apart in east Texas, but when Crowell and Karr met in person a decade ago, they learned that their childhoods were very similar. Their CD is called Kin which explains how they feel about each other and signals that these songs are about “their people.” Bob also talks with Crowell about his memoir – Chinaberry Sidewalks – which is now available in paperback.
Friday, June 22, 2012: Doyle McManus, Washington columnist for the Los Angeles Times, joins Bob to discuss the latest political news. Next, Bob visits with the North Carolina ensemble Carolina Chocolate Drops. The band followed-up their 2010 Grammy-winning album Genuine Negro Jig with their latest CD titled Leaving Eden. The group debuts original compositions along with traditional songs from America’s past. Then, in this week’s installment of our ongoing series This I Believe, we hear the essay of Jeffrey Hollender. Like many of us, Hollender lived his life on autopilot. Instead of enjoying the present, he was always considering the past or the future. Then, Hollender’s brother died. That emotional shock persuaded Hollender to begin living his life more fully by living in the here-and-now.