Studs Terkel presents a program in honor of the birthday of abolitionist and African American leader Frederick Douglass, including excepts from Terkel's 1964 interview with African-American scholar, author and social historian Lerone Bennett. Terkel reads at length from Douglass' autobiography, "My Bondage and My Freedom," focusing on Douglass' interactions with slave owners Hugh and Sophia Auld.

Discussing the songs and music of the Vietnam War with author Larry Heinemann, musician Chuck Rosenburg, and folk singer Saul Brody.

Studs Terkel and Irwin Silber, a writer and Civil War historian, talk about music from the Civil War and Silber’s book “Songs of the Civil War.” This is the final part of the interview with Silber. A brief interview with Malayan artist Abdullah Ariff follows the Silber interview. Ariff discuss Malayan culture and the artwork he has on display in the United States.

Discussing the book "The New Grove Dictionary of American Music". They talk about American music and musicians of all kinds and from different periods. Includes Charles Ive's song "At the River" sung by Cleo Laine in the middle of the program.

Interviewing author and scholar of Black music Dr. Samuel Floyd, Jr.