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The story's a classic: An outnumbered band of Athenians pushes back the mighty Persian army. But the battle of Marathon, 2,500 years ago in ancient Greece, left a legacy that extends far beyond the name of a famous race. Historian Richard Billows explores the legendary battle in his new book, Marathon: How One Battle Changed Western Civilization.

This fruit commonly used as vegetable is perhaps less loved in the U.S. than in India and the Mideast, where food writer Monica Bhide grew up. But after years of presenting different renditions to American friends and family, she's found ways to woo the eggplant skeptics — including these spice-laden recipes and tips.

Though the main characters are devout Puritans, Bellini manages to pack plenty of worldly action into this love story set during the English Civil War. Hear Elvira go mad when her betrothed leaves camp with another woman.

Scrap the canned beans and bag the dried ones -- it's time for fresh beans, still nestled in their protective shells. With the help of a few chatty friends or relatives, in no time you'll have plenty of beans freed from their casings and ready for all kinds of hearty, vibrant dishes.

Canning — the source of jams, pickles and relishes that seems tied to the last century — is on the upswing. There is a debate whether the trend stems from the tight economy or the local food movement, but its fans say the results are delicious.

Readers know Roald Dahl through his books, specifically his children's stories. But Donald Sturrock's Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl delves much deeper into the life of the famed author.

Kate Zernike's Boiling Mad chronicles the rise of the Tea Party movement, which she says was driven by young, tech-savvy libertarians who have built the movement up from its grass roots.

Every western nation seems to have its own TV celebrity dance show these days. Britain has gone one step further. Millions of its inhabitants this weekend are eagerly following the fortunes of a highly unlikely ballroom star, Ann Widdecombe, a 63-year-old former Tory minister known for her outspoken, moralizing views. She's won huge popularity despite being an appallingly bad dancer.

Jay-Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time. On Fresh Air, he discusses growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by drugs and violence, and the stories behind many of his famous songs.

As Philip Reeves reported on Weekend Edition Sunday, British politician Ann Widdecombe is making quite a splash on the UK's celebrity dance show, Strictly Come Dancing.