Business & Economy

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer is a former Vietnam War correspondent. In his new book "The Next Century," he contends that the 20th century is the end of America's economic dominance in the world. He questions the meaning of a victory in the Gulf when there are so many problems at home that we've delayed and ignored.

The first half of a two part interview with political economist Robert Reich. Reich's new book, "The Work of Nations," examines how new global realities have changed economic conditions for Americans. While many blue collar jobs go overseas, wealth in the U.S. has become concentrated in the top fifth of population.

The second of a two-part interview with the writer and political economist. Today, Reich discusses how the U.S. can improve its economic health in light of a shifting global landscape.

Journalist James O'Shea is former chief economic correspondent for The Chicago Tribune. His book, "The Daisy Chain," is a case history of what went wrong with the Savings and Loans in this country. It looks at an S&L in Vernon, Texas owned by Don Dixon who was recently sentenced for defrauding regulators, illegally spending depositors' money, and other misdeeds.

Television critic David Bianculli reflects on the final episode of "Dallas" and the show's 13 year history.

Terry talks with two labor leaders about the proposed affiliation between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the National Writers Union: Phil Wheeler is the district director of the UAW; Jonathan Tasini is President of the National Writers Union.

Attorney and consumer advocate Carl Oppedahl has compiled a Consumer Reports Book, "The Phone Book: How to Get the Telephone Equipment and Service you want and Pay Less." He joins Fresh Air to share his tips for how to choose a phone carrier and optimize call quality.

Millman's latest book, "Warm Hearts & Cold Cash: The Intimate Dynamics of Families and Money," is about how people use money as a tool of power and a symbol for certain emotions in family relationships. Millman is professor and chair of sociology at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Spike Lee's new film, about the politics of interracial dating.

We examine the implications of the economic collapse with Washington Post reporter Jerry Knight.

Poet Philip Levine. Levine's considered one of this country's preeminent poet, but before he turned to poetry he put in years working factory jobs. The images of those early days continue to influence his writings. Levine's latest collection of poems is called "What Work Is." (It's published by Knopf).

Time magazine reporter Jonathan Beaty He was covering the BCCI bank scandal months before it erupted, and gives the background on the scandal.

Writer Ben Hamper. His funny first-person account of working in GM's auto factory is "Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line." Hamper is a third generation auto worker in Flint, Michigan.

Writer Stephen Pizzo. Pizzo's the co-author of "Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans." Last month he testified before Congress, saying that the proposed further deregulation of the banks will lead to a further banking crisis. He'll discuss that testimony today. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Author and labor attorney Thomas Geoghegan (GAY-GUN). He was an observer for the dissident faction in a United Mine Workers election in the 1970s and he defended steelworkers stripped of their pension rights in the 1980s. He's written a new book, "Which Side Are You On?: Trying to be for Labor When it's Flat on its Back," which looks at the decline of the labor unions in the 1980s from the view of someone who came to join the union staff as a young idealistic lawyer hoping to use the law as an instrument for social change. (published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux).

Writer and editor Ben Sonnenberg, Junior. Sonnenberg was born into one of New York City's most prominent families. He went on to be a poet and playwright, and he started the influential literary magazine, "Grand Street." Sonnenberg's new memoir, "Lost Property," talks about those events, and about his being stricken with multiple sclerosis. (The book's published by Summit Books).

Book critic John Leonard reviews a new book about the decline of the labor movement, "Which Side are you on: Trying to be for Labor When its flat on its back," by Thomas Geoghegan.

Journalist Jane Bryant Quinn. Her finance columns appear in "Newsweek," and "Woman's Day." She's written a new guide to personal finance, "Making the Most of Your Money: Smart Ways to Create Wealth and Plan Your Finances in the '90s." (published by Simon & Schuster.)

Jury selection for the Noriega trial starts today. Los Angeles Times reporter Douglas Frantz (FRANZ) has been following the Noriega story and will review events leading up to the trial. Frantz will also tell us about Noriega's BCCI connection.

French economist Jacques Attali (ah-tahl-lee). He'll discuss what lies ahead for the Soviet economy. Attali is a special advisor to French President Francois Mitterrand and the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He's also the author of the book, "Millennium: Winners and Losers in the Coming World Order" (published by Random House).