CSPAN Videos

NOVEMBER 22, 2004, Michael Korda spoke with authors Christopher Hitchens and Francine Prose about biographical writing at the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. All three authors were writing books for the HarperCollins Eminent Lives Series. Michael Korda’s biography Ulysses S. Grant: The Unlikely Hero, was published in September 2004. Christopher Hitchens was releasing a book about Thomas Jefferson in June 2005, and Francine Prose’s biography of Caravaggio was scheduled for release in October. Throughout the discussion, the panelists answered questions from members of the audience.

OCTOBER 27, 2004, Professor Edmundson talks about his book Why Read?, published by Bloomsbury USA. The book is on the relationship between a liberal arts education and literature. The author writes that literature needs to be the fundamental element of the liberal arts education because of the benefits books offer their readers. Mr. Edmundson also claims that current educational trends have either misused or neglected to recognize the vital role reading plays in a well-rounded liberal arts education. He talked about the value of fiction and non-fiction literature. This was the last program in the fifteen-year Booknotes series, and Mr. Edmundson commented on several authors' ideas and writing styles as clips of their remarks on previous programs were shown.

JUNE 1, 2004, Christopher Hitchens talked about current events and news of the day, focusing on the situation in Iraq and U.S. actions there. He also addressed the international arms trade and the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, and responded to viewer telephone calls, faxes, and electronic mail.

APRIL 25, 2004, A panel titled “U.S. and Iraq One Year Later: Right to Get In? Wrong to Get Out?” was held in Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. The panelists each in turn stated differing views about the war in Iraq in an opening statement and a rebuttal statement. Then Mr. Wasserman, the moderator, asked a question of each panelist before they made closing statements. Afterwards, outside the hall, Mr. Mann was interviewed about the debate. He responded to telephone calls from viewers. Robert Scheer is the author of The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq, published by Seven Stories Press. Mark Danner is the author of The Massacre at El Mozote: A Parable of the Cold War, published by Vintage. Michael Ignatieff is the author of The Lesser Evil: Political Ethics in an Age of Terror, published by Princeton University Press. Christopher Hitchens is the author of A Long Short War: The Postponed Liberation of Iraq, published by Plume. James Mann is the author of [Rise of the Vulcans:

JUNE 2, 2003, The Iraq War Reader: History, Documents, Opinions, published by Touchstone, is a compilation of essays, articles, and opinions on the history and future of Iraq and the Middle East. The two editors, Micah Sifry and Christopher Cerf, took part in a panel discussion about their book alongside book contributors Jonathan Schell, Chris Pensing, and Christopher Hitchens. Egyptian human rights activits Saad Eddin Ibrahim also took part in the discussion. After an initial presentation and exchange the panelists answered questions from members of the audience.

JUNE 28, 2001, Mr. Hitchens talked about his book, The Trial of Henry Kissinger, published by Verso Books. In the book, Mr. Hitchens asserts that former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger should face charges for his role in political crimes that took place in Bangladesh, Greece, Chile, and East Timor. The author argues that Kissinger’s involvement in these international issues warrants an international war crimes trial. After his prepared remarks, Mr. Hitchens answered questions from members of the audience.

MARCH 29, 2001, Christopher Hitchens talked about the relationship between literature and politicians. He talked about writers who have entered the arena of political debate, ranging from Oscar Wilde’s radicalism to Gore Vidal’s cosmopolitanism. Following his remarks, he answered questions from the audience. Christopher Hitchens is the author of Unacknowledged Legislation: Writers in the Public Sphere, published by Verso.

FEBRUARY 22, 2001, Participants talked about an article written by Mr. Hitchens and published in Harper’s. The article characterized decisions by Secretary Kissinger and others during the Vietnam War as war crimes. It also called for international accountability for illegal actions taken during the war. Following their remarks they answered questions from the audience.

APRIL 7, 1997, The participants debated the resolution that called for the abolishment of the death penalty in the United States. Mr. Ed Koch, Former New York City Mayor, moderated the debate and presented questions to the participants. Issues such as cost of maintaining prisoners as opposed to the cost of execution and the legal appeal process were discussed. Following the set questions posed by Mr. Koch, the participants answered questions from the audience

DECEMBER 8, 1995, Current news events and political issues were examined, through reviews of the morning newspapers; interviews with journalists, newsmakers, legislators; and viewer telephone calls, faxes, and electronic mail. Interviews included Nancy Roman, Washington Times and Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, and Richard Brookhiser, National Review, who spoke during the Newspaper Roundtable.