The clever writer and editor, fond of wordplay and literary forms, shares with Studs some insight into his satirical biography, The Life and Works of Mr. Anonymous.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Selections from the poetry anthology, The Portable Walter, are discussed.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

In an interview with Studs Terkel, Buddhist monk, peace activist, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh. The conversation focuses on the devastating effects of the Vietnam War; they discuss the loss of culture and poetry in Vietnam, the anti-war protestors in America and Vietnam, and the sadness and resignation of the Vietnamese. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about America’s role in the war, and his experiences campaigning for peace in the United States and speaking with U.S. anti-war veterans.

Cast members include Anita Dangler, Victor Spinetti, Michael Forrest, Helena Carroll, Beulah Garrick, and Aubrey Morris

Discussing the books "Moon Crossing Bridge: Poetry" (published by Graywolf Press) and "Portable Kisses" (published by Capra Press) with poet Tess Gallagher. Program includes an excerpt of a 1986 interview with Gallagher and Raymond Carver.

Studs Terkel discusses life in the Vietnam era with children from Father Charles Pond's St. Timothy Episcopal Church Parish in Chicago. Rose is the featured speaker at 16 years of age she is no longer in school but is very well spoken. Acknowledging that people with mental illnesses are not always able to make sound decisions which are needed for individuals to make group decisions. She sees one of the problems in the world being that people are losing their individuality to a group mentality.

Tennessee Williams said he'll stop writing when he can no longer produce good work. He spoke of being puzzled as to why so little of his work gets produced in New York. Williams also talked about taking offense when the first sequences of the TV show "Dallas" aired. He explained that the owner of the great estate in "Dallas" was a copy of his Big Daddy character, who was a wealthy plantation owner.

The poet and journalist talks about abandoning his family's butter business to pursue a writing life in Paris where he became friendly with other writers, like Henry Miller and Ford Maddox Ford.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The British historian and writer relates Shakespeare to modern day sensibilities, reads sonnets, and discusses Elizabethan cultural norms.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs discusses writing and acting with John Schultz, Paul Pekin, and six of their students: Alex Wayne, Linda Gilbert, Will Jackson, Dan Michalski, Bill Johnson, and Fred Game. The main topic of conversation is the "Story Workshop" method of teaching writing, which Schultz had recently developed and were leading at CAM (Christian Action Ministries) Academy in Chicago. The group discuss their history as teachers and writers, and they demonstrate some of the techniques they employ in their methodology. Some of the students also express the successes they have had in developing their writ

Studs Terkel discusses poetry with writer and poet Ed English. Topics include race, history, religion, English's biography, and his creative process. Ed reads from his work throughout the interview.

Studs discusses poetry and mass media with American writer Norman Corwin, who was visiting Chicago to receive an honorary award from Columbia College. Works discussed include Corwin's radio address, "On A Note of Triumph," which the author delivered on May 8, 1945 to mark the end of World War II in Europe, and "Ballad for Americans", a cantata produced by Corwin on CBS radio in 1939. Topics include Corwin's personal and professional history, the process of writing "for the ear", World War II, the dawn of the nuclear age, and the television's role in eclipsing radio in popularity.

The English poet and novelist joins Studs before a Poetry Magazine lecture event at Chicago's St. James Cathedral. A clip of an earlier interview with the poet and playwright Louis MacNeice is included.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Judy Collins converses with Studs about her early life and her career as a singer of folk music. The following songs are played throughout the interview: "Lark in the Morning;" "The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry;" "Pretty Saro;" "Song of the Wandering Aengus," Yeats, W.B. read by Cyril Cusak; "Golden Apples of the Sun," Yeats, W.B./Edmonson, Travis; "The Bold Fenian Men," Kearney, Paedar; "The Ballad of the Carpenter," MacColl, Ewan; and "The dove." Traditional/MacColl, Ewan.