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Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Conversations on books and ideas, Fridays at 11 a.m.

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Books Coverage: The Thread | Follow: Kerri on Twitter | About: Kerri Miller

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Professor Kelly Lytle Hernández explores the linked histories of the U.S. and Mexico

Professor Kelly Lytle Hernández explores the linked histories of the U.S. and Mexico

The history of the United States is inextricably linked with the history of Mexico — even if most Americans don’t know it. On this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas, historian Kelly Lytle Hernández explains how the Mexican Revolution was incited by a band of rebels who set up base in the United States, and how that struggle shaped the borderlands today.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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From the archives: How immigration shapes America

From the archives: How immigration shapes America

We’re teeing up this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation with historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez by throwing it back to 2017. That’s when Kerri Miller hosted a national call-in show called “Indivisible,” and in this episode from the archives, experts Eboo Patel and Tamar Jacoby tackle the question: Is America still a land of immigrants?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Funeral director Caleb Wilde on 'All the Ways Our Dead Still Speak'

Funeral director Caleb Wilde on 'All the Ways Our Dead Still Speak'

Is the promise of heaven a coping mechanism that allows us to avoid the inevitable truth of our own mortality? In his new book, funeral director, theology student and author Caleb Wilde shares his thoughtful, unexpected and ultimately hopeful reflections about death, the afterlife and staying connected with those we’ve lost.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Historian Carol Anderson on the assault to undermine voting rights

Historian Carol Anderson on the assault to undermine voting rights

The Voting Rights Act turns 57 this week. But its power to outlaw discriminatory voting practices has been slowly chipped away. On a special Big Books and Bold Ideas, MPR News host Kerri Miller talks with historian and scholar Carol Anderson about what’s next for voting rights.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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From the archives: Sunita Puri on living — and dying — well

From the archives: Sunita Puri on living — and dying — well

This Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas will feature a conversation between host Kerri Miller and author Caleb Wilde, a sixth-generation funeral director who’s written a new book, “All the Ways Our Dead Still Speak.” It hearkens back to a 2019 discussion Miller had with Dr. Sunita Puri, about her poetic and practical book, "That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour." Modern medicine can help us live longer. But can it help us die well?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Quan Barry on her new novel, 'When I'm Gone, Look For Me in the East'

Quan Barry on her new novel, 'When I'm Gone, Look For Me in the East'

Poet and novelist Quan Barry says travel both inspired and grounded her new book, which follows twin brothers through Mongolia on a quest to find a reincarnated spiritual leader.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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From the archives: Quan Barry on her debut novel, 'She Weeps Each Time You're Born'

From the archives: Quan Barry on her debut novel, 'She Weeps Each Time You're Born'

Poet and novelist Quan Barry returns to MPR News this Friday for Big Books and Bold Ideas. This time, she’ll talk about her new novel, “When I’m Gone Look for Me in the East,” which follows two brothers on a quest in the wilds of Mongolia. To whet you appetite, enjoy this 2015 conversation between Barry and host Kerri Miller when they discuss her novel set in Vietnam, “She Weeps Each Time You’re Born.”
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Novelist Ann Hood recounts her days as a flight attendant in 'Fly Girl'

Novelist Ann Hood recounts her days as a flight attendant in 'Fly Girl'

Ann Hood was a recent college grad in 1978 who couldn’t imagine a better way to see the world - and gather experiences for future writing - than being a flight attendant. Her new memoir, “Fly Girl,” chronicles her days flying the friendly and not-so-friendly skies.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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From the archives: When traveling, seek experiences, not sites

From the archives: When traveling, seek experiences, not sites

On this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas, novelist Ann Hood talks about her new memoir, “Fly Girl.” When she first landed a job as a flight attendant, she thought she’d landed the most glamorous job ever. But she soon learned there was a dark side to getting paid to see the world. Since travel is the theme this week, enjoy this mood setter — a 2015 conversation with two travel writers who say we should prioritize adventure over location when deciding where to go.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Author Frederick Joseph examines modern masculinity in 'Patriarchy Blues'

Author Frederick Joseph examines modern masculinity in 'Patriarchy Blues'

What does it mean to be a man today? In his new book, the award-winning author of “The Black Friend” examines how masculinity and patriarchy join together to make a toxic culture and offers a compelling vision for how to move beyond.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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