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Author Ben Macintyre's book tells the true story of Josiah Harlan, a Pennsylvania Quaker who 150 years ago became the first American to visit Afghanistan.

Actor Tony Randall, best known for his role as the fusspot Felix Unger in the 1970s TV sitcom The Odd Couple, died Monday night of complications from a long illness. He was 84. Randall began working in radio in the 1940s but spent most of his career in film and the theater. NPR's Steve Inskeep has a remembrance.

Ancient Rome and Greece seem to be the hot topics for major motion pictures once again. Troy, with Brad Pitt as Achilles, opens in theaters next weekend. Alexander, directed by Oliver Stone, opens this summer. Pat Dowell reports on why filmmakers find the ancient venues so appealing.

Americans are some of the fattest people in the world -- and McDonald's often serves as the fast-food scapegoat for the country's super-sized bodies. One filmmaker decided to eat nothing but McDonald's for 30 days -- and film it all. The result is Super Size Me. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Morgan Spurlock, the star, director and producer of the film.

Jim Fusilli reviews Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava's latest CD Easy Living, which he says blends elements of traditional American jazz with a unique Italian touch.

After more than 40 years, one of the most beloved and acclaimed children's stories is coming to the small screen. Madeleine L'Engle's Newbery Award-winning book A Wrinkle in Time is part science fiction, part coming-of-age novel. And it's been made into a TV movie which airs on ABC Monday night. NPR's Susan Stone reports.

Researcher Dan Starer provides bestselling authors with all manner of background information for their novels. Starer has dug up historical and scientific tidbits to give the ring of truth to more than 100 bestsellers. He speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

NPR's Michele Keleman talks to author Cormac O'Brien, whose book Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents details some great and some not-so-great background stories of America's presidents.

The warships passed through the Turkish straits into the Black Sea on Tuesday on their way to waters near Ukraine. Russia insists the movement is part of a planned naval exercise.

NPR's coverage of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2003 Oscar awards: Film music critic Andy Trudeau talks about the Oscar-nominated film scores, and dissects how music can make a good film great.