Photographer David Scherman talks with Studs Terkel about the stories that photos can tell, famous photographers, and the book “The Best of Life,” which Scherman edited. A recording of the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” by the Weavers is played.

David Rossin from Commonwealth Edison and McKinley Olson, a reporter and author of "Unacceptable Risk", debate the pros and cons of nuclear energy.

Discussing the book "Mornings on Horseback" with author David McCullough.

David Mamet discusses his play Glengarry Glen Ross. Includes two scenes from the play recited by both David Mamet and Studs Terkel.

Studs interviews David Lowe about his book, "Chicago Interiors." Studs begins the interview with John Carpenter’s “Skyscrapers.” Studs leaf’s through the book as they discuss various photos and Lowe describes the history of various structures from the book that includes Chicago history. They discuss the history of architecture in Chicago and highlight various famous architects. Lowe explains how the industrial revolution, foreign countries and the Chicago fire all influenced Chicago architecture.

Discussing the book "Lost Chicago" with the author David Lowe.

David Lewis, Canadian politician, discusses Canada's domestic and foreign affairs, including their relationship with America. He also spends some time talking about Canadian socialism including universal health insurance.

When looking at the set design, David Hockney, doesn’t want the viewer to see a tree but to see “tree-ness”. A true fan of music, but Hockney reveals that he is unable to paint if there’s music playing in the background. Hockney said it’s important to stay for more than opening night of “Turandot”. To see the opera on different nights, from different seats in the audience, allows him to make his current work and/or future work better. Program also includes an excerpt of an interview with British poet Stephen Spender 4:56 to 5:51.

According to David Hockney, all photographs have perspective in them. With pictures, there is no time and there are no close ups, said Hockney. As for a picture on the television, Hockney said a picture of grief stricken poverty can bring on an emotional toll but then because the next picture of image appears, we immediately forget about the poverty image.

History, genocide, human rights and Amnesty International are all topics of this interview with David Hawk. Solutions to the problems in Cambodia are presented by Hawk, too. There is also an excerpt from Studs Terkel's conversation with William Shawcross.

David Hamlin, author and former Executive Director of ACLU, discusses his book "The Nazi/Skokie Conflict: A Civil Liberties Battle." Hamlin talks about Frank Collin, a jewish man turned leader of American Nazi Party leader and the court battle over the right to demonstrate in Skokie, Illinois. He also talks about the retaliation against the ALCU for defending Collin's case in court. At the end of the interview, Hamlin gives some advice on how to deal with people like Frank Collin.

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.

Members of John F. Kennedy's administration are featured in David Halberstam's book, "The Best and the Brightest." Halberstam points out the irony of the title, as some in the administration may not have been the best or the brightest.  As a result of their bad decisions, America got tangled up in the Vietnam War.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Discussing Bobby Kennedy and interviewing David Halberstam.