Books

Washington University sociologist Jake Rosenfeld's new book, “You’re Paid What You’re Worth And Other Myths of the Modern Economy," explores the complicated questions of who makes what and why. He discussed it on "St. Louis on the Air."

Carolyn Cox discussed her book, “The Snatch Racket: The Kidnapping Epidemic That Terrorized 1930s America" and St. Louis' role as the "Kidnap Capital of America" on "St. Louis on the Air."

Born in Boonville, Missouri, C.T. Vivian made his way from western Illinois to Nashville, where he became a civil rights leader and confidant of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Author Steve Fiffer discussed Vivian's memoir, which he co-authored, on "St. Louis on the Air."

Carey Gillam’s new book, “The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption and One Man’s Search for Justice,” takes readers behind the scenes as DeWayne "Lee" Johnson’s lawyers plot against the agriculture giant — a case that resulted in a $289 million jury verdict. She discussed it on "St. Louis on the Air."

Journalist Masuma Ahuja discusses her book "Girlhood: Teens Around the World in Their Own Voices" on "St. Louis on the Air." The book includes excerpts from 30 girls' diaries, including a teenager in the suburbs of St. Louis.

Sylvester Brown Jr. has released a story collection, "White Castles With Jesus & Uncle Ray At The Used Tire Shop." He discussed it and his long career in St. Louis journalism, including his tenure at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, on St. Louis on the Air.

Author Tom Vanderbilt talks with host Sarah Fenske about his new book "Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning," which highlights his yearlong experience tackling five new skills: chess, singing, surfing, drawing and juggling.

The GIs who mounted the only successful armed rebellion on U.S. soil since the American Revolution are the focus of Chris DeRose’s new book, “The Fighting Bunch.” He discussed the book on "St. Louis on the Air."

Librarians Jennifer Alexander of St. Louis County Library and Jen Ohzourk of St. Louis Public Library share their favorite new books of the past year.

Ann Lemons Pollack's new book, “Iconic Restaurants of St. Louis,” tells the story of 41 places that stood the test of time, from long-shuttered standbys like Delmonico Diner and Rizzo’s Top of the Tower to more recent closures (Schneithorst’s, Goody Goody Diner) and places still going strong after more than a century (the Piccadilly at Manhattan).