A Gross Education!

A man who had 95 Guinea worms ... and other tales of parasitism. Check out my contribution to the Way Gross Science series. 

Lincoln's Brief Stint in the Illinois Militia

Abraham Lincoln's minor service in his state militia hardly fills a chapter in the history books... but the shock of seeing soldiers die gravely impacted his entire outlook on war.

Nancy Harts story for National Guard Mag

These "Southern Belles" actually held off an entire Union Contingent during the Civil War... not with Georgian  hospitality or those polite but withering glares. The Nancy Harts had taken up firearms training and became very accomplished sharpshooters...

And, well, Hell hath no fury...

Legend of the Seeker story

Legend of the Seeker wasn't sought out by audiences with the same fervor as Game of Thrones. A shame, because Craig Horner proved to be a very eager, and very affable hero!

DOOM Producer

Producer di Bonaventura was a very intense and entertaining interview. I'm sorry DOOM didn't do better at the box office. Bonus, though: I also got a chance to interview DOOM's heroine, Rosamund Pike, as well. She was a riot.

Vernor Vinge for Rainbows End

You may notice Rainbows absent apostrophe... that was intentional, giving the book's title a sly but poignant twist.

Vernor Vinge--something of a hero to me--has been writing science fiction for decades. He's arguably the father--or at least a close uncle--of the cyberpunk genre. Rainbows End explores the next iteration in that neuromantic "jacking in" genre: Augmented Reality. It's very cool!

Anthony Michael Hall Interview

The Dead Zone was alive with very considerate talent: Anthony Michael Hall is one case in point.  

Were it not for Hall's lively dedication to this series... its forecast might have read: an early death! Like David Ogden Stiers, Hall was also a superlative interview. He was the first celebrity to consistently refer to me by my name throughout our conversation, thoughtful indeed for a man so busy.

David Ogden Stiers Interview

Stiers used the terms "Stentorian," "Fricative" and "Pugnacious" throughout the interview... Yes, he's brilliant.

David Ogden Stiers proved to be an amazing interview and amazing person--Why especially? Having thought he got my name wrong during our talk, he actually called me at home to apologize. A Class Act!

911 Medal of Honor Article

Writing this story was a tremendous honor. As a New Yorker, I recall that day--September, 11, 2001--all too vividly, especially the terrible grief over the loss of so many selfless and brave first-responders. To give back in this very modest way felt good.

Geek Hypercuisine Article

I will eat baluts (fertile, fetal duck eggs) and have eaten durian (world's stinkiest fruit), so ice cream a la liquid nitrogen is honestly a no-brainer. My chat with the incomparable Grant Achatz... Chicago's hypercuisine chef-wunderkin whose career was almost sidelined by mouth cancer!... was powerful and memorable!

Dakota Fanning Article

This Dakota Fanning interview was a double whammy! She starred in the films Coralina and Push--which debuted within weeks of each other--so I got both interviews. I found the talented young actress very articulate but somewhat shy... and BUSY!