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Twenty years ago Wednesday, Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman to go into space. But a new book, The Mercury 13, reveals a secret female astronaut program decades earlier, eventually scrapped by NASA's "boy's club." NPR's Melissa Block talks with author Martha Ackmann.

The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival got under way this past Wednesday evening. Pulitzer Prize winning poet Maxine Kumin inaugurated this summer's festival. We hear the poet read her poem "The Rendezvous" from the book "Looking For Luck." NPR's Weekend Edition will feature more poetry from the Sunken Garden every other week through August. (2:00)

From his hit television sitcoms to 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' cartoons, children have played a major role in Bill Cosby's career. In his latest project, Cosby has written 'Friends of a Feather', a book he hopes will appeal as much to adults as to their kids.

The science-fiction action film The Matrix and the animated Monsters Inc. may belong to different genres, but they have a striking similarity: both tell the story of an alternate universe fueled by the efforts of humans who are unaware that they are doing the fueling. NPR's Bob Mondello offers his thoughts on the subject.

Jane Turner Rylands' first book, Venetian Stories, is a fictional journey into the heart of Venice. It's a series of stories about the people who live in the Italian city, drawn from the 30 years the author spent there. Hear Rylands and NPR's Lynn Neary.

The film The Matrix Reloaded has excited philosophers, clerics and theologians who find rich in spiritual meaning in the film trilogy's underlying themes. NPR's Rick Karr speaks with authors and experts about the religion of The Matrix trilogy and the the significance of being "The One."

Mexican cinema has experienced a renaissance in recent years with Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Crime of Padre Amaro. Herod's Law is the latest Mexican film to reach the United States. The film, released in 2000, was the first to attack Mexico's then-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) by name. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Leon Uris, a master of historical fiction, died Saturday of heart failure at his home on Shelter Island, N.Y. Uris was best known for his novel Exodus, which told the story of Jews trying to establish modern Israel. NPR's Michele Norris speaks with Jill Uris about her ex-husband's life and work.

Leon Kagarise indulged his passion for country music by dragging his bulky tape recorder to outdoor music festivals in rural Maryland in the 1950s and 60s. His collection now includes thousands of live recordings from the golden years of country and bluegrass music. Hear Johnny Cash and other performers, and see photos from the concerts.

Bob Hope, master of the one-liner and world-famous comedian, dies of pneumonia at 100. A star in vaudeville, radio, television and film, Hope helped define the monologue. NPR's Lynn Neary asks visitors at the Library of Congress' Bob Hope exhibit for their thoughts on Hope's passing. And NPR's Michele Norris talks with longtime Hope writer Larry Gelbart.