Booknotes+

George Washington University professor David Shambaugh has written nearly 30 books on the subject of Asia, a great majority of which focus on China. He talked with us about his latest, "China's Leaders," in which he profiles the five leaders of the People's Republic of China since 1949 and provides an analysis of their policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you research the origins of critical race theory, one of the names you'll find is Derrick Bell (1930-2011). Prof. Bell, Harvard Law School's first black tenured professor, appeared on Booknotes in 1992 to talk about his book "Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism." In this excerpt from that program, he talks about the status of blacks in America and his personal experiences with racism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British author Charles Dickens is credited with creating some of the world's best-known fictional characters. To find out more about Charles Dickens, his work, and his two visits to the United States, we spoke to Jenny Hartley, emeritus professor of English at the University of Roehampton in London. She has written three books about Dickens, including "Charles Dickens: A Very Short Introduction," published in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran Canadian journalist Ken Cuthbertson talks about the life and work of American writer John Gunther (1901-1970), author of the popular "Inside" book series that provided an in-depth look at countries around the world. The series included the 1947 bestseller "Inside U.S.A.," in which Gunther provided observations, sometimes highly critical, from his visits to every state in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian and attorney David Stewart talks about the political career of George Washington and his evolution from an egotistical military hero to Founding Father of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The late columnist Robert Novak (1931-2009) was nicknamed "the prince of darkness" by friends and enemies alike in Washington, DC. He appeared on C-SPAN's "Q&A" program in 2007 to discuss his memoir, titled "The Prince of Darkness," in which he tells stories about his 50 years as a reporter, television personality, author, and conservative commentator. He also talked about many of the sources he had during that time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longtime reporter, editor and publisher Peter Osnos has published books by four American presidents, two Russian presidents, George Soros, Natan Sharansky, and a host of other high profile figures. In his new memoir "An Especially Good View" he discusses his publishing history, Russia, reporting on the Vietnam War for the Washington Post, and more. Mr. Osnos was vice president and senior editor at Random House from 1984-1996 and publisher & CEO at PublicAffairs, which he founded, from 1997-2005. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Post's Carol Leonnig reports on the overall record, including serious failures, of the Secret Service from the assassination of John F. Kennedy to today. Ms. Leonnig first reported on the Secret Service in 2012, when agents working in Colombia engaged in a night of booze and prostitutes, a scandal that became known as "Hooker-gate." Ms. Leonnig talks to Brian Lamb about her new book "Zero Fail". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based on the Nixon tapes and the personal memoirs of Nixon administration officials, author and former Washington Post reporter Michael Dobbs tells the story of the Watergate scandal through the eyes of its participants in his new book "King Richard." Mr. Dobbs portrays what happened during the 100 days following President Nixon's second inauguration on January 20, 1973. Here's his conversation with Brian Lamb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I'd rather win a Pulitzer Prize than be President of the United States," said John F. Kennedy in 1953. In 1957 he was awarded the prize for "Profiles in Courage." In "JFK's Ghost," author and retired pastor David Stokes tells the story behind the publishing of "Profiles in Courage" (written mostly by speechwriter Ted Sorensen), Kennedy's all out pursuit of the Pulitzer Prize, and the impact that the book had on his political career. David Stokes talked with Brian Lamb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A longtime Washington, DC, legislator and official known for his humor and friendliness, Dan Glickman (D-KS), author of "Laughing at Myself," was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977-1995, served as US Secretary of Agriculture from 1995–2001 and was chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America from 2004–2010. He talked to Brian Lamb about his long political career, political relationships in Washington, the entertainment industry, and the importance of humor in his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reporter and speechwriter Liz Carpenter (1920-2010), known for her acumen, humor, and Texas drawl, served as executive assistant to Vice President Lyndon Johnson and press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson. During this selection from her appearance on Booknotes in 1994, she talked with Brian Lamb about the importance of storytelling and humor, covering FDR as a young reporter, working in the Johnson White House, her relationship with Bill & Hillary Clinton, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian and bestselling author Douglas Brinkley has written dozens of books spanning topics such as American presidents, politics and culture, World War II, Hurricane Katrina and Hunter S. Thompson. Recently, he sat down with Brian Lamb for six hours to talk about a wide-range of topics, everything from U.S. presidents and Neil Armstrong to Evel Knievel (EE-vuhl kuh-NEE-vuhl) and his trip to Cuba with Christopher Hitchens and Sean Penn. That whole conversation can be heard on C-SPAN's "Talking With…" podcast, available now. During this 25min segment from that interview, Prof. Brinkley talks about his relationships with Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, and other musicians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

University of Maryland professor Christopher Bonner discusses his book "Remaking the Republic," about free black Americans and the limits of legal change during the 19th Century. He also talks to Brian Lamb about his approach to teaching and his appearance on the six-part CNN series "Lincoln: Divided We Stand." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wall Street Journal editorial board member and columnist Holman Jenkins joins Brian Lamb to talk about the media, politics, the COVID pandemic, global warming, and more. Mr. Jenkins' twice-weekly column appears in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin appeared on Booknotes in 1994 to talk to Brian Lamb about her book, "No Ordinary Time," about the White House scene during FDR's presidency, and the intimate circle of friends surrounding Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt during that period. This is a brief selection from that interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Lamb talked with Jason Hershey, founder of David's Tent DC, a 24/7, inter-denominational ministry located on the National Mall, where Christians come together to worship through music and prayer. The 1,600 square foot tent has been a fixture on the Mall since 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randall Robinson, author, human rights activist and founder of the TransAfrica Forum. He talks with Brian Lamb about his work and his decision to leave the United States for St. Kitts in 2001. Randall Robinson is the author of "Defending the Spirit," "Quitting America," and other books. He has appeared on C-SPAN many times, including on our "Q&A" interview program in 2007, from where this selection is taken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian Peter Henriques discusses with Brian Lamb his book, "First and Always," about the strengths and flaws of the George Washington. Mr. Henriques is professor emeritus of history at George Mason University and the author of several other books on George Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian Harlow Unger chats with Brian Lamb about the work and legacy of Thomas Paine. Mr. Paine's political writings inspired American revolutionaries, but his later writings on religion made him a pariah. Harlow Unger's book, "Thomas Paine and the Clarion Call for American Independence," is the latest of 27 he has written, including many on the Founding Fathers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Lamb talks with longtime journalist and author Tom Ricks about his book, "First Principles," which examines the influence of the work of Greek and Roman philosophers on our Founding Fathers. Mr. Ricks' other books include "Fiasco," about the Iraq War, and "Churchill & Orwell." www.c-span.org/person/?thomasricks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist and historian Craig Fehrman talks with Brian Lamb about his selection of the best writing done by U.S. Presidents. His book, "The Best Presidential Writing: From 1789 to the Present," is a follow-up to his first book, "Author-in-Chief," about the books written by our Presidents. www.c-span.org/person/?124859 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina Shutt talks to Brian Lamb about her goals for the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum after she takes over as executive director this summer. She also talks about her background and her time as executive director of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. www.oracle.com/goto/cspan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian Eleanor Herman joins Brian Lamb to talk about her book, "Sex with Presidents," about sex scandals involving U.S. presidents going back to the early years of the Republic. Eleanor Herman is the author of many other books, including "Sex with the Queen" and "Sex with Kings." www.c-span.org/person/?eleanorherman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Booknotes is back with more compelling interviews in a new podcast Booknotes+. Taking the concept from his long running one-hour Booknotes TV program, Brian Lamb is tailoring the discussion for a new platform and new audience. Booknotes+ offers podcast listeners more books and more interviews in a shorter period of time. Whether you watched Booknotes on TV (1989-2004) or are experiencing it now for the first time on its new platform, the goal is the same – give listeners the opportunity to learn something new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices