Ask you this question. You worked for cnn for some 30 years. You have a variety of shows, you are not an orthodox republican, obviously not a liberal democrat. Could you go back into the environment today or what was the formula that allows you to exist for three decades . You have a particular relationship with him . Enlighten us a little bit. It was helpful i joined cnn in 1980 at the beginning, one of the founders of cnn, one of the fortunate ones who was there, i was president of creation, as they say. It was a spectacular place to work because it was something on thought of before ted turner. The global cable news cast and he put it into action and institutionalized it. It was truly remarkable. It changed over time and refounded it in 1980 and by 1984, ted was on the forms, the wealthiest list and have been basically on the verge of bankruptcy three years earlier than when he founded it. His positioned changed and subject hours. We were growing and over time, is, teds commitment t
Hello, my name is kai bird, im the executive director of the leon leavy centers for biography at cuny, university of new york. We are sponsored by Sheldon Whitehouse and the abto promote the arts and crafts and biography among other things. We been a sponsor of the National Book festival for some years. We are here on a session with the 20th anniversary actually of the National Book festival, the theme this year is american ingenuity. We are going to be talking tonight with two notable publican intellectuals, Harold Holzer is one of the countries leading lincoln scholar, currently the director of the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at hunter college. Ted widmer is himself the author of eight books, professor witmer is now on my faculty abwe will be discussing his latest book lincoln on the verge thirteen days to washington. These are two very different books. Im going to hold up each of them. This is literally a mini biography, not so many, its a substantial book, focuses on 13
Washington post columnist, thriller writer who writes about the cia and such. This month, Pulitzer Prize winning author, Colson Whitehead as our guest. His most recent book is the under ground railroad. Mr. Whitehead, whats the appropriate response new book is appraised by oprah, president obama, you won the National Book award, what is the appropriate response . If only it took the pain aw away. [laughter] has taken off in a way thats unexpected and startling and wonderful. Just try to enjoy it despite my best efforts. Why does it put you in a better mood . Ive been writing for 20 something years doing fiction 20 some years, sometimes we write a book and people dig it and understand it sometimes write a book and no one cares and its sort of disappears so i have the pride the job i did with the book. Either you dig the groups of two prospectors or you dont and so you are either along for the ride description or not. Definitely when i was writing was my second attempt at a novel. My fir
Welcome to book tv in depth this is especially or fiction on indepth and last month was David Ignatius who writes about the cia. This month we have Colson Whitehead is our guest his most recent book is the underground railroad. What is the appropriate response mr. Whitehead when your books are praised by the president obama and ohio oprah and the National Book award . It takes the pain away. [laughter] this book has taken off in a way that is unexpected and wonderfu wonderful. So i think my lucky stars i sleep a little better, a better mood generally, and try to enjoy it despite my best efforts. Why does it put you in a better mood . I have been writing 20 something years doing fiction 20 years. And no one particularly cares. So i have the pride of thinking i did a good job with the book and the bonus of other people to see that as well. Host your first book was about elevator repair people. How do you sell a book like that quick. Exactly. So when i send it to my agent with the concept
Of while building a war mexicos president meets donald trump at the white house. Thank you for joining us we begin the program with some breaking news the Prime Minister of ivory coast amadou gone coulibaly has died at the age of 61 the president says the nation is in mourning bally was taken to hospital after he fainted during a Cabinet Meeting he had to return to ivory coast last week after a prolonged stay in france for a heart exam lets speak to nicholas talk to now who is in senegal a force as some of us 1st of all what else do we know of around what happened. Well the death was Just Announced moments ago but it happened around midday today he was just before he went into the company bidding he went on twitter to say that hes back into the country and hes back in action and on twitter hes working for the decades to come and for the future generation really setting the tone that he will be the next president ial candidate for the upcoming election in the vendor in iraq. Coast just