What is America’s literary IQ? Who should measure it, with what standards, and to what end? Mitchel Levitas discusses his role as editor of the New York Times Book Review, the selection of books covered by the Review, and the audience the Review addresses.
In the second segment [24:00], Henry Petroski reads from his book Beyond Engineering about books, dust jackets, and publishing.
At the time of this interview, Levitas was editor of the New York Times Book Review.
Petroski, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1987-88), was professor of civil engineering at Duke University.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
