Inside February's issue of BookPage

February 2003
In This Issue

FIRST PERSON
February BookPage interviews:

Erik Larson: Unraveling the dual tales of a serial killer and a master builder at the Chicago World's Fair

The Devil in the White City is about Chicago World's Fair serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes. "Interestingly," Larson says, "other people have written about Holmes but, to my surprise, the fair has always been almost parenthetical. And I kept thinking, here's this marvelous magical fair and as counterpoint to that was this dark, dark creature sort of feeding off the fair. I couldn't really tell one story without telling the other." He decided to tell both. It was, frankly, a brilliant decision.

Bob Schieffer: CBS News correspondent recounts a life lived on deadline

From James Meredith's fiery admission to the University of Mississippi in 1962 to the recent take-down of Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott, Bob Schieffer has worked at the wellsprings of America's political history. It's often been history made in a hurry. His new book, This Just In, is a breezy, story-a-page account of what it's like to become famous while covering the famous. It is also a keen appraisal of the changing nature of news and reporting.

Coleman Barks is the translator behind the growing popularity of a 13th century Afghan poet

First time novelist Jennifer Haigh looks at why women tend to marry for all the wrong reasons

Children's authorJaqueline Woodson introduces young readers to the power of poetry

Meet Tim Cockey

FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT: New books for children and adults honoring Black History Month

Behind the Book: New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams spills the kibbles on life with her Yorkshire Terrier, Jazzy

Valentine's Day: Books to share with your Valentine

FICTION

His Mother's Son by Cai Emmons

The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl

I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti

The Hills at Home by Nancy Clark

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdich

Was It Beautiful? by Alison McGhee

Property by Valerie Martin