The Classic Stories of the 20th Century

A multi-part series from Radio Netherlands of great literary works of the previous century explained in the context of the events that inspired them. These programs are produced and presented by Marijke Van der Meer.

Brave New World

In his novel ’Brave New World’, written in 1932, British author Aldous Huxley imagined where science and social control might take us. American author, Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends in Washington DC, puts Huxley’s vision in context.


The Grapes of Wrath

by American author John Steinbeck. This famous literary account of the American depression is put in context by American historian and political scientistan Howard Zinn.

show #08103 — “Musicians, Migrants and All That Jazz”

Musicians have always been the heart and soul of New Orleans and like everyone else in the flood damaged city, they’re struggling to survive. Two years after the disaster, only half of the residents have returned, and large swaths of the region remain as uninhabitable as the day the levees broke. And yet the bands play on.

On this edition of Making Contact, correspondent Reese Erlich talks with musicians to learn how the historic New Orleans music scene endures and how new influences are bringing hope to the struggling city.

Featuring:

Trumpeter Terence Blanchard, world famous jazz artist and composer; Wilhelmina Blanchard, mom; Spike Lee, independent filmmaker, writer, producer, director; Keith Frasier, Rebirth Brass Band; Wynton Marsalis, trumpeter and composer; Shannon Powell, New Orleans jazz drummer; Marissa Rodriguez, hosts Mexican music show in New Orleans; Wilfredo Guzman, a Honduran immigrant who works as a roofer; Francisco Flores, owns store in New Orleans; Joe Cabral and Rod Hodges, “The Iguanas” founding members; Javier Gutierrez, founder of the New Orleans salsa band “Vivaz.” Check our Links Section for More Contacts.

Making Contact — Cracks in the Edifice

Every spring in New York City, the Left Forum conference brings together intellectuals and activists to address urgent issues and build a stronger political Left movement in the United States.

This year, organizers and thinkers looked at the ongoing war in Iraq… the impending economic recession… and the devastating results of free trade policies worldwide.

Participants at Left Forum identified these issues as more than just failings of the current administration. But instead, as cracks in what they call “the edifice” of U.S. Empire.

Featuring:
Adam Hochschild, author and lecturer at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism; Naomi Klein, author, journalist and syndicated-columnist.