Writer and English professor Lucinda Roy (VT) grew up in a mixed race family, has lived on three continents, and has worked as a professional portrait painter. Roy, whose newest novel is The Hotel Alleluia, talks about how Americans, Africans and Europeans view interracial relationships and reflects on the compromises we all must make as we adapt to new environments. Also featured: Although we’ve yet to witness the demise of the paperback, electronic books are quickly growing in use and acceptance. But, some are suggesting, rather than digitizing the best sellers, the real usefulness of e-books may lie in their use for college texts. Librarian David Seaman (UVa) and religious studies professor Ben Ray (UVa) discuss the future of the electronic textbook.

Second Week (March 10 - 16) Family Ties

The old saying "Sex sells," seems never more true than today. Everywhere we turn, we're confronted with images of sex. Psychologist Sandy Lopater (CNU) examines Americans' seemingly conflicted attitude toward sex. Lopater is co-author with noted sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer of the textbook Human Sexuality: A Psychosocial Perspective. Also featured: Communications professor Tom Socha (ODU) examines how 21st century families talk about race and respond to the fast-paced digital age.

Third Week (March 17 - 23) Happy Birthday, Mr. President: Fresh Looks at James and Dolley Madison

Archeologists at James Madison’s plantation Montpelier have spent the past few years trying to locate the remains of the house where our fourth President was born 250 years ago this month. Clarence Geier (JMU) and Matt Reeves, Montpelier’s staff archeologist, discuss what finding Mount Pleasant could reveal about the formative years of the man considered the "Father of the Constitution" and life on the Virginia frontier. Also featured: Madison’s wife, Dolley, was the first Presidential wife to live in the White House and as such she had great influence on the role of First Lady. Political scientist Anthony Eksterowicz (JMU) Mrs. Madison and other prominent 20th century first ladies. Historian Holly Cowan Shulman (UVA) looks at Dolley’s place in pop culture.

Fourth Week (March 24 - 30) The War That Wasn't: Hitler's Mistakes

Most of us credit the defeat of Adolf Hitler to the Allies massive forces and well-crafted tactics. But how much was Adolf Hitler his own worst enemy? What if the German dictator had listened to military advisors who urged him to focus his men and weapons on taking ground in the Middle East? Military historians Bevin Alexander (Longwood), author of How Hitler Could Have Won World War II, and Spencer Tucker (VMI) discuss the counter-factuals of World War II. Also featured: The Nazis reign in Germany saw the banning of music by Jewish composers, works containing explicit sexuality and jazz. It also saw the deportation of many Jewish musicians to Theresienstadt, a concentration camp used to deny the existence of the Final Solution. We recall this period of Entartete Musik (banned music).

Fifth Week (March 31 - April 6) New Thinking on Parkinson's Disease

Doctors are hoping heart pacemaker-like technology could prove the remedy for sufferers of Parkinson's disease who have found no treatment for their uncontrollable tremors. Neurosurgeon Kathryn Holloway (MCV/VCU) discusses the science behind the tremor control device doctors recently began implanting in the brains of Parkinson's sufferers. Also featured: Neurologist Davis Parker (UVa) explains how DNA research on the causes of such diseases as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's may force us to alter the genetic laws of inheritance laid out by Austrian monk Gregor Mendel more than 150 years ago.