Discussing the book "Report From Iron Mountain: On the Possibility and Desirability of Peace" (published by The Free Press) with the author of the book's introduction, editor of "The Nation," Victor Navasky.

Terkel delves into the life of Frank Norman, a London ex-con who turned his life around and became a novelist and playwright by writing on his experiences. He wrote "Bang to Rights" shortly after his prison release which brought him great fame. He followed that with "The Monkey Pulled it's Hair" that had a U.S. release under the name "Don't Darling Me Darling". Norman opened up to Terkel discussing his illegitimacy, his illiteracy till age 14, his institutionalization in an orphanage which he turned into the novel "Banana Boy".

Norman Mailer discusses his writing, literary criticism, and American life. Other topics of conversation include Mailer’s thoughts on “affirmative” literary works, apathy and a lack of passion in modern life, beat writers and their reception in the United States, and many of his contemporary writers.

Nelson Algren discusses his short story, "How the Devil Came Down Division Street," the art of writing, and writers of the Beat Generation.

Neil Postman, an author, educator, media theorist and cultural critic discusses his book; "The School Book: For People Who Want to Know What All the Hollering Is About,". Mr Postman and Studs talk about his definition of what school is for and it's worth, and they converse about several sections of the book. Mr. Postman reads an excerpt from his book to begin the interview.

Interviewing three independent booksellers| Richard Bray, Paul Yamazaki, and David Unowsky.

Norman Podhoertz discusses his book "Making It" his memoir about American intellectual life and academia. Discussing the parallels in the relationships between politics, money and education.

Norman Podhoertz discusses his book "Making It" his memoir about American intellectual life and academia. Discussing the parallels in the relationships between politics, money, and education.

Interviewing booksellers Hendaseyd Buchanan and Miss Dillon while Studs was in England. They discuss life in London, England and Scotland, their bookshops, and book selling.

Hendaseyd Buchanan, a bookseller, discusses his bookshop, customers, and interests.

Dorothy Parker’s thoughts as a critic and writer on the state of American literature.

Charlemae Hill Rollins and Studs Terkel read from "The Christmas Gif" and discuss it's importance in African American literature. The book is an anthology of Christmas poems, songs, and stories, written by and about Negroes, and compiled by librarian Charlemae Hill Rollins. The book was first published in 1963.

Architect and wartime prisoner, Hermann Field, discusses his book "Angry Harvest," coauthored with Stanislaw Mierzenski, and also discusses architecture.