The essential Ta-Nehisi Coates
The bestselling author and essayist, who has become a lightning rod for his writing about race in America, says he wants readers to be haunted by his words
Books
Ta-Nehisi Coates on race
Ta-Nahesi Coates, a mild-mannered, even shy writer for The Atlantic, has become a celebrity intellectual as his books about race have become bestsellers. The recipient of a National Book Award and a so-called MacArthur "genius grant," Coates talks to correspondent Martha Teichner about his latest book, "We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy"; about white supremacism; and about writing of today's conflicted America without offering the comfort of happy endings.
A return trip aboard "Murder on the Orient Express"
Kenneth Branagh talks about his new star-filled adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery
Ta-Nehisi Coates on the writing process
In this web exclusive, author Ta-Nehisi Coates ("We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy") talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about his calling, how the music of Marvin Gaye influences the language of his writing, and how he chooses the words to characterize President Donald Trump's rise to power.
Ta-Nehisi Coates on Barack Obama
In this web exclusive, author Ta-Nehisi Coates ("Between the World and Me") talks of being summoned to the White House to meet with President Barack Obama, and of his mixed feelings over the first African-American president of a nation still suffering the pains of racism.
Ta-Nehisi Coates wants readers to be "haunted" by his work
In interview to be broadcast on "Sunday Morning," the award-winning author says he doesn't expect audiences to find his writing about race "optimistic and uplifting"
Book excerpt: Art Garfunkel's "What Is It All but Luminous"
In his new memoir the singer writes of his early fascination with radio, rock 'n' roll, and a fellow classmate named Paul Simon
John Grisham on "The Rooster Bar"
John Grisham is known as the master of legal thrillers with 30 consecutive No. 1 New York Times fiction bestsellers. He's sold more than 300 million copies of his books worldwide. Grisham joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss his 25th legal thriller, "The Rooster Bar," which explores the world of for-profit law schools, and what makes a good story.
Young adult author Jason Reynolds on coming late to reading
He was 17 when he read his first novel cover-to-cover; now he's the New York Times bestselling author of 8 novels, including "Long Way Down"
Tom Hanks: Actor, typist
The Oscar-winning star is also a typewriter enthusiast, a hobby that inspired his book of short stories, "Uncommon Type"
Ron Chernow on his latest biography, "Grant"
The award-winning author behind the book "Hamilton" is back with a new book about the Civil War general and 18th president
"Forged In Crisis" author on what makes a great leader
Historian Nancy Koehn examines the lives, successes and failures of five historical leaders in her new book
What makes a great leader?
History offers many definitions of what it takes to be a great leader. A new book from Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn called "Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times" examines the lives, successes and failures of five historical leaders including explorer Ernest Shackleton, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Koehn joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the hallmarks of a great leader and the importance of the adversity they experienced along the way.
Ta-Nehisi Coates reckons with Trump's election in new book
"We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy" analyzes the Barack Obama presidency and the rise of Donald Trump
2017 National Book Award finalists revealed
Among the 20 finalists of this prestigious award, 15 are women this year
2017 National Book Award finalists
Find the full list of winners on CBSThisMorning.com.
Ta-Nehisi Coates on Obama & Trump
Barack Obama officially became America's first black president in January 2009 at his inauguration. Afterward, the Atlantic's Ta-Nehisi Coates rose to prominence, earning a reputation as one of America's best writers on race. He won awards for his essays, "Fear of a Black President" and "The Case for Reparations." His book, "Between the World and Me," won the National Book Award for nonfiction. Coates joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss his new book, "We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy."
The newest story from Mark Twain
Literary scholars and husband-and-wife children's book illustrators turn fragments of a long-lost Samuel Clemens story into a book, "The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine"
A Mark Twain tale is reborn
Thanks to the work of literary scholars and a husband-and-wife team of children's book illustrators, fragments of an unfinished Samuel Clemens story have been transformed into a new Mark Twain book, "The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine." Martha Teichner reports on the latest work by the humorist, published just 107 years after his death.
In my opinion: Justice Antonin Scalia speaks
A new book collects speeches by the late Supreme Court Justice, whose originalist views were both polarizing and colored with humor
To "Da Vinci Code" author Dan Brown, success is no riddle
The bestselling novelist (whose latest thriller, "Origin," touches on the very existence of God) says the world is evolving beyond religion
The evolution of Dan Brown
The author of the popular "Da Vinci Code" has been vilified by the Catholic Church. Though he claims not to be anti-religion, Dan Brown will surely face more controversy with his latest novel featuring Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, "Origin," in which God Himself is on the edge of extinction. Correspondent Tony Dokoupil visits Brown at home in New Hampshire, where his experiences at the prestigious prep school, Phillips Exeter Academy, shaped his life views.
Excerpt: Dan Brown's "Origin"
Read the prologue and opening chapter of the latest thriller featuring Robert Langdon, the symbologist of "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons"
Harlan Coben tries to "break your heart" in new thriller
Famous for his domestic thrillers, the best-selling author has written 30 novels and sold more than 70 million books worldwide
Harlan Coben on "Don't Let Go"
Bestselling author Harlan Coben has sold more than 70 million books worldwide. Famous for his domestic thrillers, Coben's last 10 consecutive novels all debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. His 30th and newest novel is "Don't Let Go," the story of a New Jersey detective who's haunted by the past. Coben joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss his career and new book.
Entertainment
France defends granting George Clooney and his family French citizenship
George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, were granted French citizenship because "they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France's international influence and cultural outreach," the French government said.
Notable works entering the public domain in 2026
Here are the significant books, films and characters joining the list of works in the public domain on Jan. 1, 2026.
Noah Wyle on authenticity of "The Pitt"
The hit series "The Pitt" has earned praise for its realistic look at the pressures facing health care workers. Chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook spoke to the star of the show, Noah Wyle, for "CBS Sunday Morning." Wyle talked about how the cast prepared for their roles beyond learning their lines before shooting the series even began.
Here's who's performing on New Year's Eve to ring in 2026
Here's what to know about the lineup of performances scheduled for New Year's Eve, as crowds gather in Times Square to ring in 2026.
Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor known for his roles in "The Wire" and "Veep," dies at 71
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
George Clooney, his wife and their twins granted French citizenship
France's government says that George Clooney, his wife Amal and their eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander have been awarded French citizenship.
Beyoncé is now a billionaire, according to Forbes
The Grammy-winning artist Beyoncé became the fifth musician to achieve the wealth milestone, Forbes said Monday.
Actor accusing Tyler Perry exchanged texts with him years after alleged assault
Actor Mario Rodriguez alleged in the lawsuit filed last week in California that Tyler Perry sexually assaulted him during encounters between 2014 and 2019.
French split over Brigitte Bardot tribute due to her far right views
French politicians were divided on Monday over how to pay tribute to the late Brigitte Bardot who, despite her screen legend, courted controversy in later life with her far-right views.
MetroCard art: Swiping beauty from the mundane
On December 31, New York City will officially retire the transit system's MetroCard, that ubiquitous piece of plastic used to gain entrance onto subways and buses. But there is beauty in using MetroCards as the raw materials for art, as Thomas McKean has found in his collages and miniature sculptures depicting portraits of city life. Serena Altschul reports.
2025: The year's top books
"Sunday Morning" checks out the bestselling fiction and non-fiction of the past year.
2025: The year's top movies
"Sunday Morning" checks out the highest-grossing films of the past year.
2025: The year's top music
"Sunday Morning" checks out Spotify's top streaming hits of the past year.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' picks from 2025
The Washington Post book reviewer offers "Sunday Morning" viewers his picks for fiction and non-fiction titles to add to their New Year's reading lists.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' books of the year for 2025
The Washington Post book reviewer offers "Sunday Morning" viewers his picks for fiction and non-fiction titles to add to their New Year's reading lists.