In the 1960s, FDA inspector Frances Kelsey was assigned her first drug to review: thalidomide. Her thorough investigation led her to discover that the drug had caused pregnant women to bear babies with birth defects around the world – including in the U.S., where the drug had been distributed in clinical trials. Jennifer Vanderbes' new book, Wonder Drug, looks back on that chapter of American history. In today's episode, she tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe how big and unregulated the pharmaceutical industry was at that time, and how patients suffered the consequences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less.
Folgen von NPR's Book of the Day
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Folge vom 05.07.2023'Wonder Drug' traces the dark history of thalidomide and the birth defects it caused
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Folge vom 04.07.2023Adrienne Brodeur's novel 'Little Monsters' uncovers family secrets in Cape CodLittle Monsters is the story of two adult siblings, Ken and Abby Gardner, who were raised by their widowed father in Cape Cod. As their dad's 70th birthday approaches, all three members of the small family are on the precipice of great success in their respective fields – but also on the precipice of coming forward with some pretty dark secrets from their past. In today's episode, author Adrienne Brodeur tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about how this book takes inspiration from her own family, and what it means to unlearn and relearn the truths about your loved ones later in life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Folge vom 03.07.2023Fae Myenne Ng's memoir examines the Chinese Exclusion Act's impact on familiesOrphan Bachelors, the title of Fae Myenne Ng's new memoir, is a reference to the many "grandpas" she had while growing up in San Francisco's Chinatown. These men had been forced to stay single and childless by the Chinese Exclusion Act. In her book, Ng traces the long-lasting legacy of that legislation, which even touched her own parents. She tells Here & Now's Deepa Fernandes about the deep loneliness that stopped procreation for four generations, and the way Ng and other children became the bachelors' stand-in descendants nonetheless.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Folge vom 30.06.2023Two novels explore the complexities of parent-child relationshipsToday's episode is all about parents, their adult children, and the frustration and forgiveness that can come to a head in those relationships. First, author Jenny Xie speaks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about her new novel, Holding Pattern, in which protagonist Kathleen Cheng moves back in with her mom after dropping out of grad school and going through a breakup. Then, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Nathan Go about Forgiving Imelda Marcos, which follows a Filipino chauffeur's call to his estranged journalist son with the scoop of a lifetime about the secret political meeting he witnessed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy