This Weekend’s Program

Bob Edwards Weekend, May 25-26, 2013

HOUR ONE:

Doyle McManus, Washington columnist for the Los Angeles Times, joins Bob to discuss the latest political news.

During World War II, someone had to save the art and antiquities of Europe from Allied bombing and from occupying then retreating Nazi forces.  The painting of The Last Supper and Michelangelo’s sculpture of David were just two priceless works that were almost destroyed.  Bob talks with writer and World War II specialist Robert Edsel about the important work and the people who risked their lives for art.  Edsel’s new book is Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis.

Then, the latest installment of our ongoing series This I Believe.

HOUR TWO:

Buzz Aldrin was the second man to step foot on the moon and the first to punch an Apollo conspiracy theorist in the face after the man demanded Aldrin swear on a Bible that the Moon landings were not faked.  Aldrin dedicated a chapter to the incident in his 2009 autobiography Magnificent Desolation, which takes its title from the first words he uttered while walking on the moon.   Now Aldrin has authored a new book from National Geographic in which he lays out his goals for the space program and how he believes we can get humans to Mars and back safely. It’s titled Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration.

Award-winning travel writer and historian William Dalrymple looks back to an earlier time when a Western power invaded Afghanistan.  Dalrymple’s new book is titled The Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan: 1839-42.