Howard Gardner, one of America’s greatest cognitive psychologists and thinkers has made his reputation primarily on MI theory, or the theory of multiple intelligences at least that is what most people want to talk to him about.  Gardner, however, while still interested in MI theory prefers to talk about his new work, namely his latest book called “Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Reframed: Educating for the virtues of the 21st century.”  Fortunately for listeners anything Gardner talks about is fascinating. . .so tune in and hear us banter about the new virtues: truth, beauty, and goodness, or the virtues as Gardner defines them. You won’t be disappointed and maybe you will be improved.

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A prime number is a lonely thing. It can only be divided by itself or by one; it never truly fits with another.  In “The Solitude of Prime Numbers,” Paolo Giordano a 29 year old particle physicist turned novelist creates one of the more charming stories of two damaged protagonists that I have read in some time.  His prose is original and stylish, captivating, not to mention moving and powerful.  Giordano’s novel won the Strega award and has sold in excess of a million copies in Italy.  Join me as I talk to this modest yet talented young author about his novel and his life.

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Carol Clark is a hoot in addition to being an entertaining novelist and actress.  Her new book “Mobbed,” another in her Regan Reilly mystery series is fast-paced and amusing which is what differentiates her from her mother Mary Higgins Clark.  Mary is all suspense while Regan is more like Carol herself, clever but also funny.  Join Regan, er Carol and me as we cackle and carry on about life and her novel “Mobbed.”  Imus loves her, so will you.

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Frank Wilczeck won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2004 for work he had done on asymptotic freedom with the strong force. He was also one of the discoverers of electrochromodynamics, and anyons. The prize was awarded for work Wilczeck had done when he was 21 years old at Princeton. I spent some time with Frank talking about all the things on my mind about cosmology and origins, and Frank patiently answered me with thoughtful and articulate responses. He is bright and one of the few physicists who also has the talent to translate arcane mathematical equations and physics into language an intelligent lay person can understand. Please join us for this show. . . I think you will enjoy it.

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Walter Mosely is one of the most versatile and admired writers in America today. He is the author or more than thirty-four critically acclaimed books ranging from his well known Easy Rawlins mystery series, to philosophical tomes, think books, and his new Leonid McGill mystery series. Along the way he has picked up PEN’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an O. Henry Award, a Grammy, and been translated into twenty-one languages. While we are old friends on this day Walter talks to me about his new McGill book “When The Thrill Is gone.”

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We are deep in the heart of Oxford’s Bodleian Library with a rare manuscript and then suddenly there descend hordes of daemons, witches, and vampires in a scholarly stew whipped up by Deborah Harkness in her novel “A Discovery of Witches.” This concoction is good enough to run Harkness far up the best-seller list and keep her there for a long time. Join me while I talk to Deborah about magic, romance, history and suspense and get to know this talented author. Whooooo!

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Super-lawyer Alan Dershowitz visits The Frumkes Show after having just returned from defending the Pope overseas and tells me he thinks he got a good result in this high-profile case. In any event as you know Alan is always brilliant, always, passionate, and always funny. He’s what I would call in Englicht an uber-mensch. During the interview we talk about his new best-selling thriller “The Trials of Zion,” just out from Grand Central Publishing as well as the real Middle-East. Few people know more about the Middle East and are able to crystallize the situation like Alan. . . don’t miss this one folks.

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Lee Earle Ellroy, or James Ellroy as you know him is one of our most unusual and acclaimed writers. Best known for The L.A. Quartet, The Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential etc. Ellroy’s novels have been translated into film at a rapid clip. His style has evolved from from the classic noir of his early novels to what is generally referred to as postmodern historiographic metafiction. But it is on The Frumkes Show that he discusses with me his second memoir The Hilliker Curse. Trust me you are in for a ride. I don’t want to ruin it here in my introduction, but his memoir may be even more unusual than his novels. Sex, women, more sex, drugs, redemption. . . .Listen to the show you’ll understand.

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Monique Truong author of the much acclaimed The Book of Salt, visits me to discuss her latest effort Bitter In The Mouth. Truong is an asian transplant who studied at Yale and Columbia and has been winning plaudits from the literary mandarins who decide such things. Tune in and see what you think.

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All is Forgotten, Nothing Is Lost is the title of Sam’s latest novel which is so beautifully written that it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that Sam or Lan is still currently Professor of English at the University of Iowa and Director of the prestigious Iowa Writer’s Workshop there. Her life is full of early Harvard and Yale. And Chang lives up to her academic promise. . . she can really write. The story is set in a Writer’s Colony and includes the young prodigies, the revered master, the love interests etc. Great read, great book.

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