A Five Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

MAGICAL THINKING

Program 09-01-11-A

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When she was a child, Laura Miller wanted desperately to visit Narnia -- C.S. Lewis' fantastic fictional universe in which animals talk and magic is an everyday occurrence. But when Miller re-read the "Chronicles of Narnia" series as an adult, she felt betrayed and tricked.In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Laura Miller talks about returning to the Narnia stories to discover the wonder and mysteries they hold for adults. Also, we'll explore the truth behind today's pop mysticisms.

SEGMENT 1:

Robert Price writes about the popularity of books like Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" in his book, "Top Secret: The Truth Behind Today's Pop Mysticism." He tells Anne Strainchamps that people would be better off if they stuck to mainstream religion rather than what he considers the "dumbed down" versions.

SEGMENT 2:

Mark Barrowcliffe wasted his youth playing Dungeons and Dragons. Now he's turned his obsession into a book, "The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons and Growing Up Strange." Barrowcliffe tells Jim Fleming how D & D is played and recalls some of his most memorable games. And, Holly Black is a fantasy writer best known for "The Spiderwick Chronicles." Her latest book is "The Good Neighbors: Book One: Kin." Black tells Anne Strainchamps what she thinks children get out of reading about magic or alternative realities.

SEGMENT 3:

Kenneth Branagh reads a selection from "The Magician's Nephew," one of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. And Laura Miller talks with Steve Paulson about her long relationship with the Narnia books. She read them as a child and loved them. Later she was put off by the Christian symbolism, but now feels the book are terrific for believers and non-believers alike. Miller's book about her experience with Narnia is called "The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia."

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 09-01-11-A.

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Books & CDs:

Laura Miller, The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia (Little, Brown and Company)
Robert M. Price (Foreword by Julia Sweeney), Top Secret: The Truth Behind Today's Pop Mysticisms (Prometheus Books)

Websites:

• -- Robert M. Price
  http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/
  
• -- Mark Barrowcliffe/"The Elfish Gene"
  http://www.elfishgene.com/
  
• -- Holly Black
  http://www.blackholly.com/
  
• -- Laura Miller
  http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316017633.htm
  http://www.salon.com/books/excerpt/2008/12/06/laura_miller/

Clips:

• -- from "The Secret: Original Edition" DVD
  (Prime Time Productions)
  
• -- Kenneth Branagh's reading of "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis
  from the audio-book CD version of "The Magician's Nephew"
  (HarperChildren's Audio)

Music:

• -- "Life and Death"/Music Composed by Michael Giacchino
  from the CD, "Lost: Original Television Soundtrack" (Varese Sarabande)
  http://www.varesesarabande.com/details.asp?pid=302%2D066%2D721%2D2
  http://www.varesesarabande.com/
  
• -- "In The Garage"/Weezer
  from the album, "Weezer (Blue Album)" (David Geffen Company)
  http://www.weezer.com/
  
• -- "Crocodile Locke"/Music Composed by Michael Giacchino
  from the CD, "Lost: Original Television Soundtrack" (Varese Sarabande)
  http://www.varesesarabande.com/details.asp?pid=302%2D066%2D721%2D2
  http://www.varesesarabande.com/
  
• -- "Last Dance"/Sarah McLachlan
  from the CD, "Surfacing" (Nettwerk)
  http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/

Distribution dates: week of 01/11/2008 - hour 1 click HERE for timings and cues

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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