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Howlin' Wolf electrified the blues of the Mississippi Delta and laid a foundation for rock 'n' roll in the early 1950s. His lyrics, delivered in a gruff, haunting voice, evoked his hard-life experiences.

Sammy's Hill, the debut novel of Kristin Gore — daughter of former Vice President Al Gore — has hit bookstore shelves. It's been described as part chick lit and part political commentary. Hear Kristin Gore and NPR's Susan Stamberg.

Cease-fire negotiations have successfully stemmed violence in the city of Fallujah, where Marines have encircled the town. Attacks have continued elsewhere in Iraq, and several foreign citizens remain hostages. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves and NPR's Cheryl Corley.

Have you ever tried to learn another language? If so, you know how tough it can be. Now imagine trying to learn another language everyone already expects you to know.

Composer Gregorio Allegri's "Miserere" is a piece of choral music so powerful that a 17th-century pope decreed it could be played only during the week leading to Easter — and then only in the Sistine Chapel.

Citigroup and Merrill Lynch recently announced that their CEOs were stepping down but neither had an immediate replacement in sight. Succession is not an event but a process that takes place over a number of years, experts say, because of the scale and scope of major corporations.

Julius Rosenwald built Sears & Roebuck into a corporate power, then turned to philanthropy. His Rosenwald Schools educated African-American children throughout the rural South. Grandson, Peter Ascoli has written a biography.

Writer Alice McDermott won the National Book Award in 1998 for her novel, Charming Billy. McDermott has just brought out a new novel called After This, and our book critic says that it's a stunner.

Charles Frazier, the author of the blockbuster book Cold Mountain, earned an astronomical $8.25 million advance on his second novel. Thirteen Moons hits bookstores on Oct. 3, during a crowded fall season.

Comedian Harry Shearer has a new book called Not Enough Indians, a novel about Native Americans and gambling. He also has a role in the new film For Your Consideration, directed by Christopher Guest. Shearer is a voice actor on The Simpsons, playing the roles of Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner and many more characters. Shearer is also the host of the weekly public radio series Le Show.