DAN RODRICKS

The Enoch Pratt Free Library made available to us a 1948 interview of H.L. Mencken, the only known recording of the famous journalist who lived his entire life in Baltimore. We'll hear Mencken speak of his early life in Baltimore, his career as a columnist and magazine editor, his view of politicians, the newspaper union, beer and the American language. As interviewed by Baltimore Sun reporter and critic, David Kirkley. (REBROADCAST)

For most of Americans, the assassination of President James A. Garfield was a footnote in history. But Candice Millard, our guest this hour, says it cost the nation a truly extraordinary man - a brilliant scholar and popular war hero whose lingering death after 200 days in office overwhelmed America with grief. Candice Millard is the author of Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President. (REBROADCAST)

Political commentator and host of MSNBC's Hardball, Chris Matthews talks about his new book, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero, and the political scene as we head into the 2012 presidential election year. (REBROADCAST)

A biological look at our battles with temptation, with New York Times science writer John Tierney, co-author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. (REBROADCAST)

In this edition of Midday on Science, a look at science in the movies: the good the bad and the ridiculous. Midday's science contributor John Monahan analyzes movies for their scientific plausibility and shares his list of Hollywood's top ten science mistakes. (REBROADCAST)

In an age of economic uncertainty and as people wait until later in life to start families, more and more parents are stopping at one child. What's more is that some research shows that only children show higher intelligence and achieve more than kids with siblings and that parents of only children are happier.  The controversial, emotional and stressful decision about family size, and the pros and cons of being one and done. Our guest this hour: Susan Newman, social psychologist and author of The Case for the Only Child: Your Essential Guide. (REBROADCAST)

Commentator and journalist Toure, author of Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness, joins Dan for a look at how racial expectations shaped his life and what it means to be black in America today. (REBROADCAST)

Baltimore Sun television critic David Zurawik returns for our final Midday on Media for 2011. Chris Wallace of Fox News recently told viewers that if Ron Paul won in Iowa, that caucus would not count. A look at media coverage (and influence) heading into the early Republican presidential primaries of 2012. Then, a new documentary premieres tonight about the enduring rivalry of the Army/Navy football game, NBC News hires another presidential daughter (and draws criticism for it) and Christiane Amanpour exits the Sunday morning talk show lineup.

Baltimore Sun reporters, Jamie Smith Hopkins and Scott Calvert, join Dan this hour to discuss Maryland's Homestead Property Tax Credit, along with Carl Stokes, chairman of the Baltimore City Council's taxation committee who is among those calling for reforms of the 34-year-old program.

The work of Margaret Sanger, birth control activist and founder of Planned Parenthood, has been a frequent target of conservatives. Lately, some progressives have shied away from her, citing socialist leanings and a purported belief in eugenics as a blight on her accomplishments. Goucher College history professor Jean H. Baker joins Dan in studio to talk about her new book Margaret Sanger: A Life of Passion.