it's author richard rhodes. :

richard rhodes, realistically speaking is there a prospect foo no nuclear weapons on theons o planet?soi thinkn they really lost the utility since the cold war. they cost us $50 billion a year. it is official u.s. policy that we move towards zero. it's just a matter of working out some of the security relationships that are standing in the way. >> with regard to working out those relationships, will we be able to come to agreements with countries like north korea and iran who seem to be on the path to making their own nuclear weapons? >> they do. partly because that's the only way they can -- they feel they can defend themselves against the major nuclear powers like the united states. but each of them has -- has security needs. if we can kind a way to satisfy those, north korea would like to be an ally. they have been saying that now for more than 40 years. in fact, they'd like us to build them some nuclear power plants to replace the electricity that we destroyed. >> in the book you talk about iraq's secret program. how did the story of this bomb program grow? and even if they didn't

. >> richard rhodes, winner of the pulitzer price in "the twilight of the bombs: recent challenges, new dangers, and prospects for the world without nuclear weapons." is there a prosfect for no nuclear weapons? >> i think so. they lost the utility since the cold war. president obama has announced it is official u.s. policy to move towards zero. it's a matter of working out some of the security relationships standing in the way. >> with regard towering -- to working out the relationship, they seem to be on the path to making their own. >> they do. because that's the only way they feel they can defend themselves against the major nuclear powers like the united states. each of them has security needs. if we can find a way to satisfy those, north korea would like very much to be an ally of the united states. they've been saying that now for more than 40 years. in fact, they'd like us to build the nuclear power plants to replace the electricity that we destroyed with bombing during the korean war. >> you talk about the secret program under saddam hussein. how did the story of the bomb progra

it's author, richard rhodes. : ms. maier recounts the year-long debate that the place throughout the country following the constitutional convention as the newly released document was poured over by the citizenry. pauline maier discusses her book at the national archives in washington d.c.. the program is just over one hour. [applause] >> very pleased to be here.pl thank you very much for having me. appropriate within an hp rc connection.enh i also had an opportunity for ai quick tour of the new display of our precious national document. some of you may know that at the beginning of "americanow that e scripture," i described ipture i described the previous display. and i have to say this is so much more appropriate, that these documents of the american people are now brought to a level where they are accessible to the american people. and i cheer you on. i am delighted to be here to speak about ratification the book. i've gone around quite a bit in the previous year's talking about ratification, a work in progress. and

its author, richard rhodes. ♪ >> coming up next, booktv presents "after words," an hourlong program wheree invite guest hosts to interview authors. this week u.s. presidential biographer nigel hamilton discusses his new book "american caesars," about the the u.s. presidents since -- 12 u.s. presidents since world war ii. the award-winning author of the two-school yule biography, bill clinton, examines eachman's path to the white house and his particular strengths and weaknesses. he also takes a close look at the more challenging issues of each administration and the fashion in which the president tackled them. he speaks with fellow historian and author richard norton smith. >> host: nigel hamilton, author of "american caesars." you have spent a lifetime thinking about and practicing the art of biography. this book is, among other things, maybe a group biography of the last 12 american presidents. what do you think a biographer owes his summit? subject? >> guest: i think the first thing he owes is truth. also i think he owes -- or she -- a degree of curiosity. i think it's fatal for the bi