Roundup

Report Released on '70s Greensboro, N.C. Killings [audio 4min]

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission completes a report on the killing of five people in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 3, 1979. The shooting deaths occurred when the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis showed up at an anti-Klan rally organized by members of the Communist Workers Party.

Christopher Hitchens on Thomas Paine [audio 45min]

Matthew Sweet talks to the writer Christopher Hitchens about the significance today of Thomas Paine, author of The Rights of Man and one of the founding fathers of America.

Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India [audio 15min]

"Empire" 75th of 90: On the 6 January 1899 George Nathaniel, 1st Marquess Curzon, arrived in India to be at 39, the youngest ever viceroy. Immediately he made clear that he deplored the sloth and inefficiency of many of his colleagues and officials. He trod on their sensitivities and scattered their moribund bureaucracies. He often disagreed with his officials and it was a political argument with his new commander-in-chief, Kitchener, which ended his time as viceroy. "This Sceptre

CANCELLED: Tulane: Mainland South and or Southeast Asian History

NOTE: BECAUSE OF BUDGET CONSTRAINTS THIS JOB OPENING HAS BEEN RESCINDED. South Asia. The Department of History at Tulane University invites applications for a one-year visiting position in the field of mainland South and/or Southeast Asian history since 1500. Teaching experience is preferred, and candidates should complete all requirements for the Ph.D. by 1 August, 2006. Applicants should submit: a letter of application, c.v. and three letters of reference to:

'A History of the World in 6 Glasses' [audio 72min]

Throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period. A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Standage is Technology Editor for The Economist and author of

'Harlem of the West': Memories of S.F. Jazz [audio 6min]

The Fillmore is the legendary concert venue that put its namesake, the Fillmore District in San Francisco, on the rock 'n' roll map. The club's walls are lined with vintage concert posters and photos taken during performances by 1960s icons such as the Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane. But before that era, the Fillmore was known as the"Harlem of the West" -- a mostly black neighborhood, known for its jazz clubs. Harlem of the West: The San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era,

Retired U.S. Iran Expert Takes Long View of Iran [audio 4min]

Retired U.S. Ambassador John Limbert has his own unique view of America's current diplomatic dance with Iran. Limbert has intimate knowledge of the country, its culture and language. He was posted to Iran in 1979 and spent 14 months as a hostage there. He has not been back since, but remains enthralled by Iran.

Joan of Arc [audio 11min]

Next week marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joan of Arc – burnt at the stake by her English captors at the age of 19. At the same time in France tests are being conducted on human remains to see if they are indeed those of the saint. Jenni Murray talks to Doctor Philippe Charlier, who is carrying out the tests; to Craig Taylor, whose new book on the Maid of Orleans brings together all the important texts documenting her life; and to author Dr Anke Bernau, who's also written on St Joan.

Tibet and Francis Younghusband [audio 15min]

"Empire" 74th of 90: In 1902, viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, told the India Office in London that Tibet had decided on war with India and were relying on Russian and Chinese support. Curzon decided to send an emissary, Major Francis Younghusband, to Lhasa to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and establish a British legation. In London, Broderick, the India Secretary was wary of the scheme. Prime Minister, Balfour was equally sceptical and did not want to do anything that would further weak

Saudi Textbooks Still Teach Hate, Group Says [audio 4min]

The Center for Religious Freedom at Freedom House has studied some of the textbooks currently in use in Saudi public schools, from grades one through 12. Nina Shea, the center's director, says the texts do not comport with what Saudi officials have been saying about their having "eliminated what might be perceived as intolerance" from its old textbooks.

Former VP Candidate Lloyd Bentsen Dies [audio 4min]

Former Texas senator and Democratic vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen has died. Madeleine Brand speaks with NPR political editor Ken Rudin about Bentsen's life and career.

A Brief History of Political Corruption [audio 4min]

Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) is just the latest in a long line of national politicians to be accused of accepting cash bribes. Steve Inskeep talks to Ken Rudin, political editor at NPR, about the history of corruption among elected officials.

Bentsen Remembered as Towering Political Figure [audio 3min]

Former Texas congressman, senator, Treasury secretary and vice-presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen has died at his home in Houston. He was 85. Steve Inskeep talks with Wayne Slater, a reporter who covered Bentsen's career. Slater is Austin bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken - The Carter Family Story [audio 60min]

Dolly Parton leads a host of artists who trace the history of The Carter Family.

Stand by Your Man - The Tammy Wynette Story, 2nd of 2 [audio 30min]

Bob Harris narrates Tammy's incredible journey from the mixed blessings of 'Stand By Your Man' to her troubled final years.

Transportation 1787 to 1868 • Water Towers • The Tomb of the Eagles [audio 28min]

Sue Cook and the team answer listeners' historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all 'make' history. 1)"Making History" receives many letters and emails from listeners about ancestors who were 'transported' to Australia. The programme consulted Dr Ian Duffield (formerly of Edinburgh University and a leading researcher in this field) for more information about why people were transported, what conditions were like and whether people

The British Empire Moves into the 20th Century [audio 15min]

"Empire" 73rd of 90: The Empire expanded until the 1920s with the inclusion of League of Nations mandated territories. But it had reached the height of its political, military and to an extent, its financial powers two decades earlier. From the forty years or so before and up to the First World War, more than 5 percent of the whole of Britain's Gross National Product was in overseas lending. By the start of WWI, that same rate of investment was declining. During that period (1880s to 1

Madeleine Albright on Power, God and World Affairs [audio 45min]

Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State under President Clinton, talks to Philip Dodd about the importance of understanding the power and place of religion in international affairs. Albright's new book, The Mighty and the Almighty - Reflections on Power, God and World Affairs, is published by Macmillan.

Jewish Resurgence in Krakow [audio 9min]

This week Pope Benedict XVI is visiting Poland. He's German-born and has specifically asked to pray at Auschwitz, which is near the city of Krakow. Poland is strongly Roman Catholic, but before the Holocaust it was home to one of the most important Jewish communities in the world. Then years of anti-Semitism under Communist rule saw the community all but disappear. Just recently, though, a new generation of Poles are rediscovering their Jewish roots. And because Jewish identity is inherited thro

Views of Empire: A View from Hong Kong [audio 15min]

In a series examining the colonial experience from the receiving end, former resident of Hong Kong and Oxford historian Dr Steve Tsang flicks through school history books old and new, finding out what the former colony was taught about its part in the Empire. And what now? How is the history of Hong Kong taught by its new rulers?