View More Bill Moyers... Bill Moyers: A World of Ideas--Writers
Bill Moyers is an American journalist and public commentator. He served as White House Press Secretary in the Johnson administration from 1965 to 1967. Moyers has had an extensive involvement with public television, producing documentaries and news journal programs.
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Poetry comes alive in this exhilarating series. Filmed on location at the prestigious Geraldine R. Doge Poetry Festival, it showcases major contemporary poets – Robert Bly, Lucille Clifton, Gary Snyder, and others – in one-on-one conversations with Moyers and public performances of their work, several accompanied by the Paul Winter Consort. Featured poets include a former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winners. "Soul-stirring"—Variety. Seen on public television. 8 episodes, 7 ½ hrs, 3 DVDs, SHD, viewer's guide.From Athena.
Disc 1
Episode 1:Chinua Achebe
As the author of poetry, children’s books, essays, and novels—including the bestselling Things Fall Apart—Achebe discusses the challenges of forging cultural identity in postcolonial Africa.
Episode 2:Isaac Asimov (Part 1)
Winner of numerous writing awards—including multiple Hugos and Nebulas—Asimov shares his thoughts on the morality of science and the tensions between religion and reason.
Episode 3:Isaac Asimov (Part 2)
Continuing the discussion, Asimov explains the need to rethink education and raise awareness of global environmental threats.
Episode 4:E.L. Doctorow
Winner of the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award, among other honors, Doctorow discusses the current state of the novel and the role of the artist in society.
Episode 5:M.F.K. Fisher
The celebrated essayist and memoirist speaks frankly about growing old, the aesthetics of eating, and living well.
Episode 6:Carlos Fuentes
A novelist, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter, Fuentes discusses the political and cultural challenges facing his native Mexico and intra-American relations.
Disc 2
Episode 7:Nadine Gordimer
The internationally acclaimed novelist tells of growing up under apartheid, her early influences, and the political turmoil in her native South Africa.
Episode 8:Jeannette Haien
A concert pianist, music teacher, and novelist, Haien shares her thoughts on the structure of music and fiction and the importance of “emotional memory” in her work.
Episode 9:Joseph Heller
The novelist who added the term “catch-22” to the American lexicon discusses the absurdity of politics and the seriousness of comedy.
Episode 10:Toni Morrison (Part 1)
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize (for Beloved) and the Nobel Prize for Literature, Morrison tells of putting her characters “on a cliff” to reveal what they’re made of.
Episode 11:Toni Morrison (Part 2)
The award-winning novelist continues her discussion about the liberating power of love—in fiction, in real life, and in motherhood.
Disc 3
Episode 12:Bharati Mukherjee
Born in India, this award-winning novelist and writer calls America “a stage for transformation”—not only for herself, but also for her fellow immigrants.
Episode 13:Derek Walcott
The Caribbean-born writer speaks of poets’ obsession with language and truth telling and the “divine discontent” at the heart of all art.
Episode 14:August Wilson
As a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Wilson discusses how the linguistic environment shapes African Americans and how his characters find nobility in struggle.
Episode 15:Tom Wolfe (Part 1)
Novelist, essayist, and cultural critic, Wolfe shares his thoughts on Wall Street greed, “media ricochet,” and the power of neighborhood politics.
Episode 16:Tom Wolfe (Part 2)
In a continuation of the discussion, Wolfe offers more observations on contemporary culture and the specious conflict between intellectuals and “the masters.”
Disc 4
BONUS INTERVIEWS
From NOW with Bill Moyers
Barbara Kingsolver (The Poisonwood Bible)
Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things)
Laura Restrepo (Delirium)
Doris Lessing (The Golden Notebook)
Alice Walker (The Color Purple)
Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits)
From Bill Moyers Journal
Maxine Hong Kingston (The Woman Warrior)
Louise Erdrich (The Plague of Doves)
Episode 1:Chinua Achebe
As the author of poetry, children’s books, essays, and novels—including the bestselling Things Fall Apart—Achebe discusses the challenges of forging cultural identity in postcolonial Africa.
Episode 2:Isaac Asimov (Part 1)
Winner of numerous writing awards—including multiple Hugos and Nebulas—Asimov shares his thoughts on the morality of science and the tensions between religion and reason.
Episode 3:Isaac Asimov (Part 2)
Continuing the discussion, Asimov explains the need to rethink education and raise awareness of global environmental threats.
Episode 4:E.L. Doctorow
Winner of the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award, among other honors, Doctorow discusses the current state of the novel and the role of the artist in society.
Episode 5:M.F.K. Fisher
The celebrated essayist and memoirist speaks frankly about growing old, the aesthetics of eating, and living well.
Episode 6:Carlos Fuentes
A novelist, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter, Fuentes discusses the political and cultural challenges facing his native Mexico and intra-American relations.
Disc 2
Episode 7:Nadine Gordimer
The internationally acclaimed novelist tells of growing up under apartheid, her early influences, and the political turmoil in her native South Africa.
Episode 8:Jeannette Haien
A concert pianist, music teacher, and novelist, Haien shares her thoughts on the structure of music and fiction and the importance of “emotional memory” in her work.
Episode 9:Joseph Heller
The novelist who added the term “catch-22” to the American lexicon discusses the absurdity of politics and the seriousness of comedy.
Episode 10:Toni Morrison (Part 1)
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize (for Beloved) and the Nobel Prize for Literature, Morrison tells of putting her characters “on a cliff” to reveal what they’re made of.
Episode 11:Toni Morrison (Part 2)
The award-winning novelist continues her discussion about the liberating power of love—in fiction, in real life, and in motherhood.
Disc 3
Episode 12:Bharati Mukherjee
Born in India, this award-winning novelist and writer calls America “a stage for transformation”—not only for herself, but also for her fellow immigrants.
Episode 13:Derek Walcott
The Caribbean-born writer speaks of poets’ obsession with language and truth telling and the “divine discontent” at the heart of all art.
Episode 14:August Wilson
As a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Wilson discusses how the linguistic environment shapes African Americans and how his characters find nobility in struggle.
Episode 15:Tom Wolfe (Part 1)
Novelist, essayist, and cultural critic, Wolfe shares his thoughts on Wall Street greed, “media ricochet,” and the power of neighborhood politics.
Episode 16:Tom Wolfe (Part 2)
In a continuation of the discussion, Wolfe offers more observations on contemporary culture and the specious conflict between intellectuals and “the masters.”
Disc 4
BONUS INTERVIEWS
From NOW with Bill Moyers
Barbara Kingsolver (The Poisonwood Bible)
Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things)
Laura Restrepo (Delirium)
Doris Lessing (The Golden Notebook)
Alice Walker (The Color Purple)
Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits)
From Bill Moyers Journal
Maxine Hong Kingston (The Woman Warrior)
Louise Erdrich (The Plague of Doves)
- Bonus interviews from NOW with Bill Moyers and Bill Moyers Journal. Featuring Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Walker, Isabel Allende, Arundhati Roy, and others.
- 16-page viewer’s guide with introduction by Bill Moyers, participant biographies, and an article on Americans’ reading habits
- Author book lists
- Biographies of Bill Moyers
- Bonus interview subjects
Packaging:Boxed set
Run Time:432 minutes, plus 205 minutes of bonus programming
Format:Full screen
Number of discs:4
Language:English
Subtitles:No
Color or B&W:Color
CC:No
SDH:Yes
Region Code:1
Aspect Ratio:4:3
Rating:NR
Other:Due to the age of these programs and the improved resolution that DVD provides, you may notice occasional flaws in the image and audio on this DVD presentation that were beyond the studio’s ability to correct from the original materials.
Run Time:432 minutes, plus 205 minutes of bonus programming
Format:Full screen
Number of discs:4
Language:English
Subtitles:No
Color or B&W:Color
CC:No
SDH:Yes
Region Code:1
Aspect Ratio:4:3
Rating:NR
Other:Due to the age of these programs and the improved resolution that DVD provides, you may notice occasional flaws in the image and audio on this DVD presentation that were beyond the studio’s ability to correct from the original materials.
"Exploring, illuminating, defining"—The New York Times
In a broadcasting career spanning nearly 40 years, journalist Bill Moyers distinguished himself at Newsday, NBC, CBS, and PBS. His many honors include lifetime achievement Emmy® and Peabody awards.
