All About Books | NET Radio

Charles Stephen scrutinizes Maaza Mengiste's "Beneath the Lion's Gaze," a picture of the revolution and aftermath that struck famine-ridden Ethiopia in 1974, told through the eyes of a fictional doctor and his family. Stephen also uncovers "Half Moon: Henry Hudson and the Voyage that Redrew the Map of the New World" by Douglas Hunter, a history of the 1609 voyage Hudson undertook to find a northwest passage to the Orient.

Guest reviewer Clay Naff discusses "Open" by Andre Agassi, a frank autobiography by the famed tennis pro.

Guest reviewer Pat Stephen presents "The Women" by T.C. Boyle, a novel about the women in the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Charles Stephen wanders through "Land of Marvels" by Barry Unsworth, which digs into the conflicts surrounding a British archaeologist while at work in 1914 Mesopotamaia.

Charles Stephen interviews Kate Braestrup, author of "Marriage and Other Acts of Charity," a memoir of love and loss by a chaplain in the Maine Warden Service.

Charles Stephen explores "Vesuvius: A Biography" by Alwyn Scarth, a detail-peppered account of the history and geology surrounding the famous Pompeii-leveling volcano. Also reviewed is "A Most Wanted Man" by John le Carré, about a fugitive terrorist with wealthy Red Army connections.

Charles Stephen unwraps Australian author David Malouf's "Ransom," a retelling of a story from "The Illiad," in which King Priam of Troy tries to recover the body of his son Hector from the vengeful Achilles. Stephen also tracks down "Runner," the newest thriller in Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield series.

Charles Stephen looks back at the authors who died in 2009, including: John Updike, Frank McCourt, and John Mortimer.

Guest reviewer Susan Stephen warms up with "The Girl Who Played With Fire," the second installment of the Swedish mystery trilogy by Stieg Larssen. Charles Stephen immerses himself in "When You Were a Tadpole and I Was a Fish: And Other Speculations About This and That," a collection of reviews and essays by the famous debunker Martin Gardner.

Charles Stephen reviews three works of fiction: "The Lost Art of Gratitude" by Alexander McCall Smith, another mystery novel featuring Scottish philosopher-sleuth Isabel Dalhousie; "Deaf Sentence" by David Lodge, a sensitive and humorous story of a professor dealing simultaneously with the loss of his hearing and his father's diminishing health; and old favorite "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Charles Stephen reflects on "Posthumous Keats: A Personal Biography" by Stanley Plumly, a portrait of the poet's last years, painted by the actions and lives of those around him. Stephen also engages with Iain McCalman's "Darwin's Armada: Four Voyages and the Battle for the Theory of Evolution," a detailing of Darwin's journey on the Beagle and the three younger biologists who each later set out on expeditions of their own.

Charles Stephen shares his own and Otis Young's list of favorite books from the last year. Otis passed away last week; he will be greatly missed by all. The favorites list can be downloaded at http://netnebraska.org/radio/aab_best_of_2009.pdf.

Otis Young, co-host of "All About Books," has passed away. NET Manager Nancy Finken talks with Charles Stephen, who has co-hosted the program with Otis for more than 20 years. A tribute program will be broadcast next week.

Charles Stephen interviews John Janovy, UNL Professor of Biological Sciences about his lastest book, "Pieces of the Plains."

Charles Stephen investigates "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," the first thrilling installment in a planned triology by new novelist Stieg Larsson. Otis Young unwraps "Firsts: Origins of Everyday Things That Changed the World" by Wilson Casey, a trivia compilation detailing over 500 "firsts" big and small.

Otis Young sits down with "Exiles in the Garden" by Ward Just, a carefully woven novel sketching the life of a U.S. Senator's son, edged on one side by D.C.'s political players and on the other side by exiles seeking refuge in the United States. Charles Stephen checks out "Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History" by Margaret MacMillan, a collection of essays on the advantages and intellectual traps that occur when putting past events in context.