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How did Shakespeare become the greatest playwright in the world? Harvard Professor Stephen Greenblatt tackles that question in his new biography of the bard. Will In The World has been nominated for a National Book Award. Hear Greenblatt and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Kate Walbert, author of the book Our Kind, discusses the kind of women she grew-up with and how their lives inspired her. The story is one of five finalists for the National Book Award. Hear Walbert and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

There's been widespread condemnation of the apparent slaying of aid worker Margaret Hassan by her Iraqi kidnappers. A video sent to al Jazeera, the Arabic television channel, appears to show Hassan being shot in the head by a hooded militant. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

The U.S. military wants to begin a reconstruction program in Fallujah once the last pockets of insurgent resistance have been overcome. But many Fallujah residents say all they want from the U.S. is the departure of American troops. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Margaret Hassan, the British aid worker abducted by insurgents in Baghdad last month, may have been put to death by her captors. The Al-Jazeera television network said it received a videotape of a woman, presumed to be Hassan, being shot. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

An American Marine is shown on videotape shooting an apparently unarmed and wounded Iraqi man in a mosque in the city of Fallujah. The incident was caught on camera by an American TV journalist. The Marine has been withdrawn from the battlefield while the U.S. military conducts an investigation. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

As U.S. forces seek out the last remaining pockets of resistance in Fallujah, insurgents in Mosul, Baqouba and other Sunni Muslim towns and cities are back on the offensive. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

U.S. military commanders say American and Iraqi forces have occupied the entire city of Fallujah, although pockets of resistance remain in the city following a week of intense fighting. The civilian toll is still being assessed. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

U.S. and Iraqi forces report more progress on the sixth day of their joint offensive in Fallujah. But insurgents have occupied large areas of Iraq's third-largest city, Mosul, the scene of more violence. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.

It takes 33 pages to list all the recordings of cellist Janos Starker. After 72 years of playing the cello and instructing students from around the world, he has written a memoir. NPR's Susan Stamberg talks with Starker about a life spent in music.