Shelf Life

It's the book that made free trade famous: "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith. But who's got time to read its 900-plus pages? Humorist P.J. O'Rourke did and wrote his own book about it. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Neatness might not be so virtuous — or profitable — after all. David Freedman talks about his new book on the topic, "A Perfect Mess," with host Kai Ryssdal.

Historian Tom Wheeler talks with host Kai Ryssdal about how President Lincoln adapted to the telegraph to speed communications, and quickly came to understand the medium's limitations.

Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Larry Kahaner, author of a book about the AK-47. Kahaner explains the past and present significance of this deadly weapon — and why the Pentagon doesn't use it.

Acclaimed novelist Thomas Pynchon won't be doing any publicity for his first book in nine years, but marketing "Against the Day" should be no problem. Lisa Napoli explains.

Andrew Carnegie spent half a lifetime amassing great wealth, and the other half trying to give it away. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with author David Nasaw about his biography of the famed businessman and philanthropist.