In December 1938, the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to an American woman for the first time. With this announcement, the 46-year old Pearl Buck vaulted into the international spotlight. East Wind West Wind follows the extraordinary life of a missionary child. Born in West Virginia at the end of the nineteenth century and raised in rural China, who became one of the 20th century’s most popular authors. Best known for her novel “The Good Earth”, Pearl Buck wrote over 100 books during her career. She was also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, civil rights, the real of the Chinese Exclusion Act, mixed race adoption and tolerance for the mentally challenged. The final segment of the documentary sums up her extraordinary legacy.

Guest speaker: Donn Rogosin, Director

As vice president of content development for WLIW/WNET, New York, Donn Rogosin brought many programs to public television including “Classic American Cars of Cuba” and “Mariachi: Spirit of Mexico,” which was hosted by Plácido Domingo. He has also served as president and general manager of PBS stations WSWP in West Virginia and WMHT in Albany New York. He has been a commentator for National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and was a Jefferson Fellow at the East West Center for the University of Hawaii. He holds a Ph.D. in American Civilization from the University of Texas at Austin.