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Novelist E.L. Doctorow Reimagines the Past.

Writer E.L Doctorow His writing has been praised for bringing to life the traumatic events of American 20th Century history, like the Depression, World War II and Vietnam for the generations too young or too old to feel them. It was Doctorow's 1971 book, "The Book of Daniel," that established his reputation as a major American writer. The book was inspired by the Atom Spy Trials at the height of the McCarthy era. At the time, Doctorow was still working full-time as an editor, working with authors like James Baldwin and Norman Mailer. His latest novel, "Billy Bathgate," is the story of a 15-year-old boy's apprenticeship to the gangster Dutch Schultz. Doctorow also wrote the best-seller "Ragtime." (REBROADCAST. ORIGINAL DATE 3/14/89).

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Other segments from the episode on January 29, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 29, 1990: Interview with E. L. Doctorow; Review of Mel Lewis's albums "The Definitive Thad Jones, Vol. 1" and "The Lost Art"; Interview with Le Anne Schreiber;…
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11:05

Le Anne Schreiber Discusses her Mother's Illness and Death.

Writer Le Anne Schreiber. A successful journalist at the New York Times, and their first woman sports editor, Schreiber left her career at the Times to go live in rural upstate New York. Then she found out her mother had cancer and was given only a few months to live. Schreiber kept a journal during the period of her mother's illness until she died. This journal served as the basis for Schreiber's memoir about her mother's death, "Midstream: The Story of a Mother's Death and a Daughter's Renewal."

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03:20

The Inside Story on Manuel Noriega.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Noriega Connection." It's the next offering from public television's documentary series, "Frontline."

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27:40

Novelist E.L. Doctorow Reimagines the Past

The author's books follow the lives of fictional characters in real historical situations. Several of them have been made into films. Doctorow's newest novel, Billy Bathgate, takes place in the criminal underworld of early-twentieth-century New York City.

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03:43

"Billy Bathgate" is Brilliant

E.L. Doctorow's newest novel, like his past work, incorporates real history into fictional narratives. This time, he focuses on the criminal underworld of New York in the early twentieth century. Book critic John Leonard says the book is superb.

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