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Finding Oz

Wednesday, we're telling the story behind one of America's most enduring tales. Our guest is the journalist Evan Schwartz, author of a book about L. Frank Baum. Before publishing "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in 1900, Baum failed at acting, selling castor oil and running a toy shop. But along the way, he was collecting ideas that would find their way into his parable of the American Dream. Schwartz joins Doug to talk about the personal turmoil and spiritual transformation that led Baum to Oz.

Books and Music from today's RadioWest:

Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.