Arts & Life

• Gourmands Through The Ages: 'A History Of Food In 100 Recipes'

  From ancient Egyptian bakers to Gordon Ramsey, every era has its foodies. And without them, the history of food would be pretty darn boring, says William Sitwell. His new book chronicles how these epicures shaped our palates, and the recipes they left behind.

• James Gandolfini Dies; 'Sopranos' Actor Was 51

  Actor James Gandolfini, 51, has reportedly died. Variety magazine reports that he suffered a "sudden stroke." The cause of death is not yet known with certainty, but HBO says the actor may have suffered a heart attack.

• From Classic Toys To New Twists, Kids Go Back To Blocks

  NPR's Neda Ulaby investigates a trend in toys that sounds awfully familiar: Manufacturers are finding new ways to get kids interested in playing with blocks, both real and virtual.

• The Martini: This American Cocktail May Have An International Twist

  The martini has been called "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet." But is this cocktail perfectly American? Maybe not entirely. In honor of National Martini Day, we decided to dig into the drink's muddled past.