KEN BURNS -- SOCIALIST

If you're as sick of the right wing making baseless accusations about how just about everyone who believes in government is a socialist, check out this recent piece I wrote about Ken Burns's recent documentary, "America's National Parks."

http://www.dissentmagazine.org/online.php?id=299

a fun interview

Here's a link to a fun interview about "What the Heck..." Enjoy.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/611/kevinmattson.mp3

IRVING KRISTOL, R.I.P.?

Here's a recent piece I wrote about Irving Kristol's legacy:

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=kristol_and_the_teabaggers

failure? yes.

A more recent interview on the book:

http://failuremag.com/index.php/feature/article/jimmy_carters_malaise_speech/

SUMMER'S END...

Just back from floating the Missouri and Smith Rivers, plus backpacking and fishing the Stillwater River (all in Montana), with a quick detour through Teddy Roosevelt National Park, plus ... "Lewis and Clarking" it throughout the area of Montana ("Montany," to quote Larry McMurtry).

While gone, CSPAN finally posted the book talk I did back in late June at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C. Fun to watch, because Jerry Rafshoon, Carter's publicity man, makes a cameo appearance at the end to ask questions. Here it is:

http://www.booktv.org/Program/10639/What+the+Heck+Are+You+Up+To+Mr+President+Jimmy+Carter+Americas+Malaise+and+the+Speech+that+Should+Have+Changed+the+Country.aspx

There were numerous reviews of the book that came out during the summer. The best compilation of these (though not all) is posted at the publisher's website page on the book. Here that is:

http://www.bloomsburyusa.com/books/catalog/what_the_heck_are_you_up_to_mr_president_hc_213

There were also pieces that appeared in Politico.com, Roll Call, and The Week. Hunt them down if you so desire.

"Summer's kiss is over baby..."

C-Span Book TV

A book talk I gave at Busboys and Poets (Washington, D.C.) will be on C-Span Book TV, July 25th at 9pm and July 26th at 10am. Carter's publicist, Jerry Rafshoon, happens to be there and asks good questions...

You can also google me and "On the Media" and get my last weekend interview there. You can also download Bob Edwards's interview as well.

Just out of a week long backpack trip in Montana and now onto a river trip.

MORE ON "WHAT THE HECK..."

This week please keep your eyes out for a review in the LA Times (July 5).

I'll also be interviewed on our local WOUB news show on July 8.

If you get satellite radio, you can hear me on Bob Edwards's show which will be on July 9.

And then I'll appear on Michael Medved's talk radio show on July 10 (the interview takes place at 4pm EST).

I'll be on NPR's Weekend Edition at the end of the week.

Finally, if you missed the Colbert Report, you can see the show at his website or on Hulu.