David Beckmann, former president of the anti-hunger organization Bread for the World, explains why global progress in the fight against poverty is faltering and how compassionate Americans can still help turn the tide. Plus, author Timothy Egan explains the legacy of one of the most famous Irish American immigrants of the 19th century.

• David Beckmann, author of "Poverty Abolitionists" (Bloomsbury Academic)
• Tim Egan, author of "The Immortal Irishman" (Mariner) and "A Fever in the Heartland" (Penguin Random House)

• David Beckmann is the former head of the non-profit organization Bread for the World, and has recently written "Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, Activism and Hope for Difficult Times."
• You can view Rick's one-hour public TV special "Hunger and Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala" here.
• "The Immortal Irishman" by Timothy Egan details the life story of Irish immigrant Thomas Francis Meagher. The Great Falls Tribune lists sites to visit in Montana related to Thomas Meagher.
• Tim's latest book is "A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America and the Woman Who Stopped Them."
• Epic Ireland, in Dublin, is an interactive exhibit on the contributions of the Irish around the world.It's located across from the Jeanie Johnston replica famine ship.