Ring Lardner Jr. discusses the writings of his father Ring Lardner, and his new book "The Lardners: My Family Remembered", discussing his family life, Mother, Father, and siblings.

Nora Sayre discusses her book "Running time: Films of the Cold War" and how Russian-American relations affected Hollywood and celebrity blacklists.

In this continued discussion of “La Dolce Vita,” Nelson Algren and Mario Devecchi discuss the film’s critical reception, the contrast it draws between humor and bitterness, and the religious and moral nature of the film. Includes part of the 36th issue of the Fiction Review, featuring host Bob Lefley, a review of the program’s first series of interviews with numerous authors, and a biography of writer Howard Nemerov.

Discussing the movie "Return of the Secaucus seven" with Maggie Renzi and John Sayles.

While in his home in Berlin, Jurek Becker covers various topics. He first talks about being arrested back in 1978 in New Orleans. Becker also talks about his lack of memories from being in the concentration camp. When he was 3, 4, or 5, Becker said that when he was there, there was nothing, and therefore, there's nothing to remember.

Studs Terkel discusses the upcoming new film "Of Mice and Men", based on the novel written by John Steinbeck with the starring actors, John Malkovich (Lennie) and Gary Sinise (George). The program begins with the opening excerpt from the play "Of Mice and Men" featuring Terkel (George) and Win Stracke (Lennie) from 1952, which then leads into Malkovich and Sinise's interpretation of the rest of the scene. Folk singer Utah Phillips song "On the Goodnight Loving Trail" is presented as a comparison to themes expressed in "Of Mice and Men".

James Mills, a novelist and journalist, talks to Studs about his book "Report to the Commissioner". Mr. Mills and Studs discuss the story and Mr. Mills goes in depth into the process of police detectives working a case. Studs plays an excerpt of a Chicago policeman talking about working on the tactical squad on the police force. The policeman tells of how they go into a neighborhood as civilians to stop crime.

Studs interviews novelist and fighter for civil rights for all James Baldwin and discusses the book "Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son." They discuss Mr. Baldwin's political beliefs and his work towards change in the civil rights movement.

Discussing the film "Passage to India," with actor Victor Banerjee.

Interviewing William Gibson.

H. E. F. (Shag) Donahue and Nelson Algren discuss Donahue's book, "Conversations with Nelson Algren," a biographical exploration of Algren's life as a writer. They discuss the creative lives, successes and failures of other authors in relation to Algren's work, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger, Richard Wright, and others. Includes the author reading excerpts from "Conversations with Nelson Algren."

Erica Jong discusses the paperback release of "Fear of Flying," reading excerpts as well as several of her poems from her previous collections, "Half-Lives," and "Fruits and Vegetables."

E.Y. (Yip) Harburg and Studs Terkel read from the book "At This Point in Rhyme". E.Y. Harburg also discusses his thoughts on humanity, how to properly write a song, and the importance of light verse and humor as a basis for everything he creates. Excerpts of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" by the Weavers, and a Broadway recording of "How Are Things in Glocca Morra" are played in the original airing but have been removed from this version for copyright reasons.

Discussing the book "Hollywood" and interviewing the author Garson Kanin.