Bob Hope Turns 100!; Orange County News; The CIA, the Afghan Mujahideen, and Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson; W.C. Fields
Bob Hope Turns 100!
To celebrate Bob Hope's 100th birthday, Larry Mantle speaks with Martha Bolton, former staff writer for Bob Hope, and Gene Perret, former Bob Hope head writer from 1969 until Bob Hope retired. They are the co-authors of Talk About Hope: Two Bob Hope Writers Trade Stores (Jester Press). Also joining Larry is former L.A. Times film critic and arts editor Charles Champlin.
Orange County News
Chris Reed, op-ed column editor for the Orange County Register joins Larry to discuss the latest Orange County news.
The CIA, the Afghan Mujahideen, and Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson
What do they all have in common? Larry Mantle talks with veteran producer for CBS's 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II George Crile about his new book Charlie Wilson's War (Atlantic Monthly Press). In it, he discusses the story of how the CIA armed the Afghan Mujahideen in what became the Agency's largest and most successful campaign in history. The book also profiles the men who conceived the plan, at the core, Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, and an out-of-favor CIA operative named Gust Avrakotos.
W.C. Fields
W.C. Fields was one of the greatest pantomimists and comedians in the world. Larry Mantle talks with biographer James Curtis about his new book, W.C. Fields: A Biography (Knopf). It chronicles the life of William Claude Dunkenfield, from his childhood, to his passion and the intellect that fueled his incredible talent.