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Inspiration isn't always a bolt from the blue. Over the next six months, Morning Edition will explore the ways artists inspire each other. NPR's Elizabeth Blair opens the "Intersections" series by examining famous artists -- such as Van Gogh -- who have publicly acknowledged a debt to others.

In the second of a three-part series on the politics of post-Saddam Iraq, NPR's Ivan Watson reports on Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims, long oppressed by the former regime but now feeling the power of their numbers.

The height of the holiday shopping season arrives in the United States, with just four days until Hanukkah, 10 days until Christmas and 11 to Kwanzaa. Books -- whether classic or modern, non-fiction or fantastic -- remain a popular gift choice for many shoppers. Reviewer Alan Cheuse has a list of recommendations.

In the 1970s, Rev. Charlie Jackson strapped on an electric guitar and inspired the congregation in his hometown of Amite, La. He also recorded a series of blues tinged gospel 45s that became collector's items. Meredith Ochs reviews a new release, God's Got It, that compiles the 45s on a CD.

Before Peter Jackson emerged as the successful director of the Lord of the Rings movies, most of his early films were low-budget efforts that offered a mixed bag of characters and scenarios. Hear NPR's Neda Ulaby and Washington, D.C., video-store clerks Scott Mueller and Adam Robinson.

A new DVD called Lennon Legend contains familiar and never-before-seen footage of John Lennon, set to 20 of his songs. From the Manhattan apartment she shared with her late husband, Yoko Ono speaks with NPR's Scott Simon.

Marshall Chapman's father, a South Carolina cotton mill owner, was expecting her to grow into a delicate debutante. Instead, his daughter became a hard-living musician whose songs have been covered by Jimmy Buffett, Joe Cocker, Tanya Tucker and many others. Chapman's new memoir and accompanying CD are called Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller. Hear her extended interview with NPR's Bob Edwards' and songs from the CD.

NPR's ambassador to children's literature, Daniel Pinkwater, brings in the latest book by one of his favorite author/illustrator, D.B. Johnson. Henry Climbs a Mountain is the third in a series of books featuring a bear based on naturalist Henry David Thoreau. Pinkwater says it might be the best picture book he's ever read.

The Iraqi National Orchestra performs with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Tuesday. The visit is financed by the U.S. Department of State, and President George Bush is expected to attend. NPR's Lynn Neary reports.

Most Cajuns, whose ancestors settled in southern Louisiana in the 17th century, spoke French up until World War II. But as Cajun culture is celebrated in music, film and food, only a fraction of the local population calls French its first language. NPR's Renee Montagne speaks with historian Shane Bernard about the Americanization of the Cajuns.