Henry Steele Commager discusses America, American history, and American relations. He also discusses television, historical figures, and wars. (Recorded at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston, Ill.).

As the guest editor of “Critical Inquiry,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr. covered the importance of Black writers and their contributions. Because there is no color blindness is the western world, explained Gates, pointing out that one is a Black writer or a Black doctor is important to society. Gates also covers the issue of race not being solely about Black and white people but rather it has to do with multi-ethnic and multi-cultural people.

Helene Kazantzakis talks about “The Great Passion” which was written by her husband, Nikos Kazantzakis. She also talks about the book that she is writing about her husband’s life. Studs Terkel reads aloud from “The Great Passion” and Helene reads aloud some of letters featured in the biography titled “Nikos Kazantzakis.”

Helene Kazantzakis talks about “The Great Passion” which was written by her husband, Nikos Kazantzakis. She also talks about the book that she is writing about her husband’s life. Studs Terkel reads aloud from “The Great Passion” and Helene reads aloud some of letters featured in the biography titled “Nikos Kazantzakis.” This interview opens with a song written by Nikos Kazantzakis called “The Dance” and closes with the song “Myrtia.”

Mr Barnard discusses being a writer and biographer. He strongly discusses the theory, What is literature? and states, "If the work(writing) enriches the person reading and causes deep thought it is literature." He is working, at the time of broadcast, on the papers, notes manuscripts of Upton Sinclair preparing to . He was also writer in residence at Roosevelt University at the time of broadcast.

Discussing the book "The 900 days" about the siege of Leningrad during World War II.

Discussing the book "M.I.A., or, Mythmaking in America" (published by L. Hill Books) with the author Professor H. Bruce Franklin.

Guests discuss the politics of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Discussions include background on Cyrus, the relationship between Greek and Turkish cypriots, and the American role in the conflict.

Discussing the book "Lincoln" with the author Gore Vidal.

Author Gordon Thomas discusses his book “The Day the Bubble Burst: A Social History of the Wall Street Crash of 1929” and other stories from the Stock Market Crash of 1929 with Studs Terkel. Both Thomas and Terkel read excerpts from Thomas’ book and an audio clip is played of Sidney Weinberg, a man who experienced the Stock Market Crash firsthand.

Austrian-born American historian, woman's history author and feminist Gerda Lerner focuses on the origins of misogyny in society in her latest book

Author George Thayer speaks with Studs Terkel about Thayer’s book “The War Business: The International Trade in Armaments,” the business of weapons manufacturing, the arms trade, and what part the United States plays in international arms dealing. Terkel plays an audio clip of his interview with Gerald P. Nye, a Senator from South Dakota, and both Terkel and Thayer read excerpts from Thayer’s book.

Discussing the book, "The Kennedy Imprisonment: A Meditation on Power," and interviewing the author Garry Wills.

Garry Wills, writer and historian, discusses his book "John Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity." He explores the popularity of John Wayne that took him from an actor and made him into an American symbol. He explores how the symbol of John Wayne is used by white male politicians to influence their decisions and how that affected the Vietnam War. Wills gives a biography of John Wayne, including the many influential people in his life such as his working partner, John Ford.

Discussing the book, "Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence," and interviewing the author Garry Wills.