As South Africa gets ready for life after Nelson Mandela, many South Africans are still debating a thorny question — should the villains of apartheid be punished? Also in this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, stories from Vietnam. And the lighter side of history — making fun of "our dumb century" with the editor of "The Onion."

Journalist David Goodman is the author of "Fault Lines: Journeys into the New South Africa," in which he profiles victims of apartheid and their torturers. Goodman tells Steve Paulson about the torture and attempted assassination of a Black pastor and what's happened to one of the secret policeman involved.

Eighteen members of Joseph Skibell family were murdered when the Nazis executed the Jews in their village. Skibell's new novel "A Blessing on the Moon" recreates that world, with all its tragedy and humor. Skibell talks with Judith Strasser about the dilemmas of making Art out of the Holocaust. Also, Scott Dikkers is editor of The Onion, a satirical newspaper, and of its spin-off book, "Our Dumb Century." He tells Jim Fleming that he and his staff have collected headlines and stories the way they should have been written.

In his book "Argument without End," former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara describes his recent meetings with military historians and officials of the North Vietnamese army. McNamara tells Steve Paulson that the Vietnam War could and should have ended sooner. Also, Jim Fleming talks with Duong Van Mai Elliot who describes her family's history before and during the Vietnam war. Her book is "The Sacred Willow."

Distribution dates:

• week of 05/30/99 - hour 1