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Fifty years ago this fall, a federal court judge in California ruled that Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” was not obscene. We’re going to examine the celebrated poem tonight. The work became a rallying cry for the Beat Generation of the 1950’s and 60’s, and more than a million copies of it are in print today. We'll examine Ginsberg’s life and the origins of one of the most controversial poems of the 20th century.

In her novel FireWife, author Tinling Choong writes about an Asian American photographer's quest to gain a better understanding of women throughout the world. We'll talk with Tinling about her story and the many themes it explores, including the perception of Asian American women and how they fit into (and in between) Western and Eastern cultures.

We'll also hear producer George Bodarky's story about how Hollywood's depiction of Asian Americans is leading some women to conform to society's norms through plastic surgery.

***This interview originally aired on February 16, 2007***

Tonight on the Front Porch, we're exploring the roots of war. Humans are believed to be the only animals that band together to kill their own. One theory says it's our ability to lie to ourselves that allows us to harm each other the way we do. Join us as we explore human nature, war, and the psychology behind its origins.

Our guest is David Livingstone Smith. He's a professor of philosophy and director of the Institute for Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New England. His new book is called The Most Dangerous Animal: Human Nature and the Origins of War.

Tonight on the Front Porch, we're getting inside the athletic brain. Even though sports are obviously considered physical activities first and formost, they all have mental and emotional aspects that play a large role, too. Runners, in particular, are a passionate lot. We'll find out where the line is between hobby and addiction when it comes to running. And we'll hear from some boxers who can explain what goes on in their heads when they enter the ring.

Our guests are:

Michael Sachs, sports psychologist and professor in the department of Kinesiology at Temple University

Keith Shields, runner and multi-marathoner. Keith is also executive producer of NHPR's The Exchange

Producer Cally Carswell will take us inside the Portland Boxing Club, where we'll meet some boxers who will explain the mental side of their sport. Her piece comes to us through the Public Radio Exchange.

You can read more about Lisa Kuronya, one of the boxers in tonight's show, here, here, and here.

September's a big month for new cd releases, so NPR's Bob Boilen will review a broad selection of songs and pieces that didn't get lots of air play this year. We'll hear tunes from LCD Soundsystem, Amy Winehouse, Patty Griffin, Roky Erickson and other artists that somehow fell betwen the cracks.
Tonight's program is part of NPR's All Songs Considered series.