National Public Radio (NPR) Interview: Author Michael Hudson Talks About His Book “The Monster: How a Gang of Predatory Lenders and Wall Street Bankers Fleeced America — and Spawned a Global Crisis.” (Audio)

"The Monster: How a Gang of Predatory Lenders and Wall Street Bankers Fleeced America - and Spawned a Global Crisis" is a book that fills in the back story to the housing crisis and mortgage mess.

As 50 states jointly investigate the mortgage industry amid allegations of improper foreclosure practices, a new book released this week chronicles the rise and fall of the subprime mortgage business. Guest host Jacki Lyden speaks with author Michael Hudson about his book “The Monster: How a Gang of Predatory Lenders and Wall Street Bankers Fleeced America — and Spawned a Global Crisis.” NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax also joins the conversation.

Renovation-Radio.com: Research Into The History Of The Average Western Home (NPR Audio)

Bryson’s research into the history of the average Western home yielded some unexpected finds — as recently as 200 years ago, the rooms of a common house might have been barely recognizable.  Take, for instance, the long history of the hall, which Bryson refers to as “the most demoted room in the house.”

“Hall denotes important spaces in the wider world,” Bryson says. “Hall of Fame, Carnegie Hall, that kind of thing. And yet in our own homes it’s this dinky room, where we just take off our shoes and hang our coats and hats.”