Shelf Life

Author Roger Lowenstein talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book "The End of Wall Street," the roots of the financial crisis, and where we go from here.

Usually when people think ruins the mind teems with images of decaying ancient cities all over the world. But the U.S. has plenty of its own ruins to discover. Bill Radke talks to Nick Yablon, American Studies professor at the University of Iowa.

Author Bill McKibben talks with Kai Ryssdal about his book, "Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet," why he chose that title, and what we have to do cope with how we've changed our planet.

Google is making the push to digitize millions of books. Will these types of moves render librarians obsolete? Bill Radke talks to Marilyn Johnson, author of "This Book Is Overdue," about why librarians are vital now.

Producer, manager, sometimes actor and philanthropist Jerry Weintraub talks with Kai Ryssdal about his biography "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead," how he revolutionized the concert business, and wound up working with Elvis Presley.

When we talk about the international trafficking of exotic species, we don't usually think of wildlife being smuggled out of this country. Bill Radke talks to author Craig Welch about the poaching industry in the U.S.

The tomato is a ubiquitous culinary ingredient. Author Arthur Allen talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book "Ripe," and how tomatoes get from the garden to your kitchen table.

Author Ted Conover talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "The Routes of Man," and how roads are changing the world.

Reporter Charles Bowden, author of "Murder City," talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the Mexican border town of Juarez became caught up in drug violence, and what responsibility the U.S. has to help.

Frank Koller talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book "Spark," and manufacturer Lincoln Electric's unique program that promises workers won't get laid off for economic reasons if they meet the company's performance standards.