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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
  • E=MC2

    Forms and Functions

    Christopher Andrew tells us about his history of the KGB’s secret operations in the Third World during the Cold War. Next, David Bodanis celebrates the 100th anniversary of E=MC2 by explaining what the famous equation means. Then, Mario Livio explores the mathematical concept of symmetry in his latest book: The Equation That Couldn’t Be Solved. Finally, Kurt Vonnegut shares his first book since 1999, A Man Without a Country.

The World Was Going Our Way

In 1999 Christopher Andrew pulled together the notes of the KGB’s most senior archivist to uncover the history of the KGB’s secret operations in the US and Europe. Now, for the second volume of that history, he looks at the KGB’s interests and influences in the developing world, and reexamines how the Cold War played out in the Third World. The new book is The World Was Going Our Way.

Music:
The Usual Suspects Soundtrack #13, 3, 4

E=MC2

E=MC2 is one of the world's most famous equations. And while most people have heard of it, few really understand what it means. David Bodanis decided to decode the science and history of the equation for non-scientists in E=MC2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation.

Events:
"Einstein's Big Idea," a NOVA segment based on E=MC2, will premiere on: Tuesday, October 11th at 8pm on PBS
More info.

Music:
Naqoyqatsi Soundtrack #2, 3

The Equation that Couldn't be Solved

Mario Livio explores the mathematical quest to define symmetry. In The Equation that Couldn't be Solved, he explains how symmetry straddles the line between science and art, and how it impacts the form of everything from music to trees.

Music:
Night On Earth Soundtrack #13, 6

Kurt Vonnegut

A Man Without a Country

Kurt Vonnegut tells us about A Man Without a Country, his first book since 1999. The book is a compilation of short essays and speeches, and some of the articles he’s written for the alternative magazine In These Times.

» Read an excerpt from A Man Without a Country in the Reading Room
» More on In These Times

Music:
Cobb #16, 17

The Franken Factor

Al Franken will be declared the winner of the Minnesota Senate race recount, even though Norm Coleman is expected to challenge the results in court. Al Franken has been a guest on the Lopate Show several times, most recently in 2005. Hear him talk about his journey from performing to politics.

Caroline Kennedy on the Lopate Show

The Leonard Lopate Show

Caroline Kennedy’s bid for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat could make her the latest member of the Kennedy family to take on a major role in national politics. She’s been a guest on the Lopate Show twice – once to talk about Americans’ right to privacy, and more recently to discuss examples of political courage.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.

Guest Picks

The Leonard Lopate Show

Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?