wual: : TTBOOK: Classics (2010-01-29)

RADIO

TTBOOK: Classics

TTBOOK: Classics

Greil Marcus has edited a compendium of essays called “A New Literary History of America.” David Thomson makes the case that “Psycho” was a ground-breaking film that forever changed American cinema and America itself. Michael Streissguth relates the story of how country music legend Johnny Cash gave his daughter Roseanne a list of 100 songs he considered essential. Joan Schenkar’s biography of Patricia Highsmith shows that the author poured her disturbing impulses into taut, psychological thrillers. Greil Marcus is the author of "Mystery Train" and "Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century," and he's one of America's most admired pop culture critics. Now he's taken on the entire American canon. With Harvard professor Werner Sollors, he's edited a compendium of essays called "A New Literary History of America." Marcus talks with Steve Paulson about what's in the book and why.

In his book "The Moment of Psycho: How Alfred Hitchcock Taught America to Love Murder," David Thomson makes the case that "Psycho" was a ground-breaking film that forever changed American cinema and America itself. Thomson talks with Anne Strainchamps and we hear clips from the film.

Back in 1973, country music legend Johnny Cash gave his daughter Roseanne a list of 100 songs he considered essential. Now, music critic Michael Streissguth takes us behind the scenes in his book "Always Been There: Roseanne Cash, The List, and the Spirit of Southern Music." Streissguth shares his expertise with Steve Paulson and we hear lots of music.

Biographer Joan Schenkar thinks Patricia Highsmith deserves to be recognized as the author of one of the great American novels. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" became a Hollywood hit. Schenkar tells Anne Strainchamps that Highsmith poured her disturbing impulses into taut, psychological thrillers.

To the Best of Our Knowledge is an audio magazine of ideas - two hours of smart, entertaining radio for people with curious minds.

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