Books

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.

If you're a graduating medical student, today is a day of destiny for you. On Match Day, med students find out where they will learn how to be doctors. Bill Radke talks to Brian Eule, who wrote a book about the secretive matching process.

Sociologist Janet Poppendieck spent some time trying to make sense of how school meals are prepared and served. She talks with Kai Ryssdal about her new book on school nutrition programs.

The Yugo may be one of the worst cars in history, but it can teach us a lot about the auto industry. Author Jason Vuic talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the 80s car caused a frenzy of excitement, and then horror.

Author Lionel Shriver talks with Kai Ryssdal about her book, "So Much for That," in which the protagonist's plans for early retirement change when his wife gets cancer. She talks with Kai Ryssdal about the American way of health care, and putting a dollar value on human life.

Columnist Edward Jay Epstein talks with Kai Ryssdal about the economics of making movies and how films are financed.

Journalist Jeff Biggers talks with Kai Ryssdal about his book, "Reckoning at Eagle Creek," the myth of clean coal, and why it's the new tobacco.