NPR's Book of the Day - Authors of two new novels draw inspiration from history in wildly different ways

Today on the show, we hear from authors who were inspired by history in wildly different ways. First, when Emma Donoghue encountered a famous photo of the 1895 Montparnasse derailment, she says she couldn't believe no one had written a novel about it. Donoghue's The Paris Express imagines what life was like for passengers on the old-fashioned steam locomotive. In today's episode, she talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep about the extensive historical research she conducted in order to write the book. Then, Bob the Drag Queen has called Harriet Tubman "the first Black superhero." In Bob's debut novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, Tubman returns to continue her work as an abolitionist through hip-hop. In today's episode, Bob speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about the idea of freedom, Tubman's military service, and a recent appearance on The Traitors.

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What Could Go Right? - The Progress Report: The World Bank Goes Nuclear

In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Emma highlights positive news stories, including potential changes in the World Bank's nuclear energy policy, innovative cancer treatments, decreasing breast cancer mortality rates, and bipartisan efforts to combat ticket price gouging.


What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.


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CBS News Roundup - 04/03/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition

Stock markets plunge in response to President Trump's tariffs announcement. Cleanup after a line of severe storms plows through the mid-South and Ohio Valley. Dangerous weather continues. Acting Inspector General of the Defense Department to open investigation into use of Signal app. CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World News Roundup.

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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Coffee, Cars, Clothes Prices May All Go Up Due To Trump Tariffs

President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on all imports worldwide on April 2. At the same time, Gov. JB Pritzker wrapped up a trade mission trip to Mexico City to strengthen trade relationships between Illinois and Mexico. Reset takes a closer look at the local impact of U.S. tariffs, and what Illinois is doing about it. Cécile Shea with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs weighs in. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Lost Debate - Tariffs, Uncertainty, and Economic Fallout

President Trump just announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners, sending markets tumbling and economists into a frenzy. Ravi breaks down what the news means for the economy, the political implications, and what to make of the eerie silence from former GOP free traders.


Then, Ravi is joined by Sam Ashworth to talk about his debut novel The Death and Life of August Sweeney, a gripping story that blends fame, fine dining, and forensics. They unpack the misunderstood world of autopsies, question the myths fed to us by pop culture, and examine the medical field’s quiet move away from the practice. Sam also shares stories from his time in Michelin-starred kitchens and how that intense world helped shape the novel.


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Learn more about Ravi's novel and upcoming events: GARBAGE TOWN

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Consider This from NPR - Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?

Whatever you think of President Trump's tariffs, there's one point you have to concede: his interest in them is not a passing whim.

He noted that on Wednesday, in the Rose Garden, when he was announcing the latest, massive round of tariffs. "I've been talking about this for 40 years," he said.

The use of tariffs are a core belief for Donald Trump. Trade deficits are bad, other countries take advantage of the U.S. and tariffs are the way to fix this.

Since the Rose Garden announcement, markets have plunged, other countries have promised to retaliate, and members of his own party have spoken out against the tariffs.

Trump's tariff plan is designed to eliminate U.S. trade deficits. Are trade deficits actually bad?

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Consider This from NPR - Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?

Whatever you think of President Trump's tariffs, there's one point you have to concede: his interest in them is not a passing whim.

He noted that on Wednesday, in the Rose Garden, when he was announcing the latest, massive round of tariffs. "I've been talking about this for 40 years," he said.

The use of tariffs are a core belief for Donald Trump. Trade deficits are bad, other countries take advantage of the U.S. and tariffs are the way to fix this.

Since the Rose Garden announcement, markets have plunged, other countries have promised to retaliate, and members of his own party have spoken out against the tariffs.

Trump's tariff plan is designed to eliminate U.S. trade deficits. Are trade deficits actually bad?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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NPR Privacy Policy

Consider This from NPR - Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?

Whatever you think of President Trump's tariffs, there's one point you have to concede: his interest in them is not a passing whim.

He noted that on Wednesday, in the Rose Garden, when he was announcing the latest, massive round of tariffs. "I've been talking about this for 40 years," he said.

The use of tariffs are a core belief for Donald Trump. Trade deficits are bad, other countries take advantage of the U.S. and tariffs are the way to fix this.

Since the Rose Garden announcement, markets have plunged, other countries have promised to retaliate, and members of his own party have spoken out against the tariffs.

Trump's tariff plan is designed to eliminate U.S. trade deficits. Are trade deficits actually bad?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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The Gist - Not Even Mad: Sarah Isgur and Sarada Peri

In this “Not Even Mad” episode, Sarah Isgur of The Dispatch and former Obama speech writer Sarada Peri dig into “massive cuts under DOGE, Cory Booker’s latest stemwinder, recent election results, and somehow, Chester A. Arthur crashes the party.


Produced by Corey Wara

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