This week, Bing West discusses the war in Afghanistan in his new book, "The Wrong War"; music critic David Hajdu talks about the life and career of singer Ethel Waters; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Walter Isaacson discusses a new biography of Socrates called "The Hemlock Cup" by Bettany Hughes; Pamela Paul talks about her new role as Children's Books Editor of the NY Times Book Review; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Susan Dominus takes a close look at Amy Chua's "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother"; Alexandra Jacobs discusses Allison Pearson's new novel, "I Think I Love You"; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Karen Russell discusses her first novel, "Swamplandia!"; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Lee Siegel talks about the dark side of the internet; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news.

This week, Paul Berman discusses the career of Irving Kristol, the "godfather of neoconservatism"; The Times's Bruce Weber talks about some persistent, but mistaken, sports myths; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Harvard philosopher Sean Dorrance Kelly, co-author of "All Things Shining", examines the classics of Western literature; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; James Ryerson talks about novelists who are trained philosophers; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Sam Tanenhaus talks with authors Jennifer Egan and Siddhartha Mukherjee in front of a live audience at Barnes and Noble; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news.

This week, The Times's David Carr talks about media prophet Marshall McLuhan; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Anand Giridharadas explores modern India in his new book, "India Calling"; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, Sam Anderson, Adam Kirsch and Katie Roiphe discuss the art and importance of literary criticism; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

This week, novelist and critic Dale Peck describes the career of Austrian playwright and novelist, Thomas Berhard; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; The Times's Neil Genzlinger discusses a new book called "Humorists: From Hogarth to Noel Coward" by Paul Johnson; and Jennifer Schuessler has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.