The Sound of Young America: Rin Tin Tin with Susan Orlean

Episode 68

17th October 2011

Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the dog and the character Rin Tin Tin, plus much more. Her new book is Rin Tin Tin: The Life and The Legend.

Episode notes

Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the iconic screen star, Rin Tin Tin.

Rin Tin Tin went from being an abandoned puppy in a bombed-out dog kennel to being one of the best-recognized and best-loved dogs in recent history. His owner Lee Duncan devoted his life to showing the world the fantastic stunts his dog could do, including jumping 12-foot fences and climbing trees. Rin Tin Tin became “The Wonder Dog” and a star of the silver (and later, television) screen.

Susan’s new book, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, is not merely a biography of the dogs that took on the mantle of Rin Tin Tin, but an exploration of what our relationships with dogs have to come mean in the past hundred years.

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  • Susan Orlean

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Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

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