Fresh Air, Aleksander Hemon and Wayne Barrett

By: Terry Gross

Narrated by: Terry Gross

Writers Aleksander Hemon and Wayne Barrett on this edition of Fresh Air. Hemon was born in Sarajevo in 1964. While in his early 20s, he came to the United States as a tourist. On the day he was supposed to return to Sarajevo, his home city came under siege. He was forced to stay in the U.S. He then began working on his English and now writes in English, even though it is not his first language. His first book is a collection of stories called The Question of Bruno. Barrett is the author of the book, Rudy!: An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, the mayor of New York City who recently dropped out of the highly visible New York Senate race after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Mayor is a controversial figure; some think of him as a savior who has cleaned up Manhattan's streets, while others see him as a turn around artist and brute. Barrett's book traces Giuliani's life and career - from college student, to U.S. attorney, to mayor of New York City and possible Senate candidate. Barrett is a senior editor at the Village Voice. He has been covering politics and Giuliani for over 20 years. (Broadcast Date: July 12, 2000)Want more Fresh Air?

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