Discussing book of poetry "Words of War," with teacher Allen D. Glenn and students Rhonda Freeman and Anthony Espinosa.

The English novelist began his writing career after having established a medical practice in Kent. Here, he discusses his time in the Royal Army Medical Corps as well as his careers in medicine, literature, and academia.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

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

Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate of Illinois, talks about her poetry, her books, and some of her influences.

Poets Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, and Peter Orlovsky, speak with Studs Terkel about their influences and what made them into the poets they are. Terkel reads a preface, written by William Carlos Williams, to Ginsberg’s poem “Howl.”

Author George Keithley describes his process for researching and composing the long narrative poem, The Donner Party.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Terkel interview author Geoffrey Wolff about his latest book. Entitled "Black Sun," it is a biography of Harry Crosby.

Frederick Ritter, professor at Illinois Institute of Technology, discusses the life and work of playwright Bertolt Brecht, the genre of epic theater, and more.

Fela Sowande discusses his career, music, and compares African culture and music to Western culture and music. Includes two songs that are sung by tenor Max Worthley. Includes a clip of a Nigerian Youth song. Includes performance by a Nigerian skiffle band. Sowande was inspired by [Anthony Gregascoigne], an English poet he met in England.

Fela Sowande discusses his career, different types of Nigerian and African music, the Yoruba people, and religion. Includes clips of an African Yoruba pagan hymn "Oyigiyigi," a Christian version of that hymn, and an organ version of that hymn. Includes Sowande's song "Roll de Ol' Chariot." Quotes a poem by [Anthony Gregascoigne], an English poet he met in England.

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."

Stuckey talks about her childhood in Memphis, writing "in the dialect", and reads "Rigamarole", "Daylight Savings Time", "Defense", "Old Man" and "Old King Cotton."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Eddie Balchowsky tells stories about being an Observation Scout during the Spanish Civil War and marching with a British battalion. He plays and sings several songs of the time.(unknown titles)

Dr. Richard Selzer, a surgeon, reads essays from his book, "Mortal Lesson: Notes on the Art of Surgery." Dr. Selzer recalls moments of his profession that stuck with him including the removal of a diabetic women's leg and the removal of a botfly larvae. He also takes a poetic look at the liver and the skin, including a story about Henry Moss. Dr. Selzer finishes his interview with a story about his first time witnessing an abortion. A comedy skit by Mike Nichols and Elaine May is also played.

It is not enough to just treat a disease, explained Dr. Meir Yoeli. Dr. Yoeli said there needs to be a bridge for both science and for the truth of the heart. Also a poet, Dr. Yoeli reads a poem in English and then in Hebrew.