Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.

Richard McLanathan discusses his book "The American Tradition in the Arts" and takes Studs on a sprawling journey through artistic breakthroughs in architecture, painting, literature, and more while touching on dozens of artists and their works.

Studs Terkel interviews James Cameron about his experiences as a journalist that includes thoughts about Cameron's book, "Point of Departure." They talk about his relationships with Winston Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook, Charlie Templeton, and Bertrand Russell. Cameron discusses his education, poverty, and the depression during his youth. They talk about Cameron's career with the "News Chronicle" and his home of Dundee, Scotland. This is part 3 of a total of 4 parts. The interview takes place at Lewis and Clark Community College.

Discussing the British Depression with Frank Crawshaw at the Empress Theater, members of the West Ham old people's home, and Tommy Titmus of Clerkenwall Green while Studs was in England.

Interviewing Barbara Cartland at her castle and a Welsh physician in Tavistock Square while Studs was in England.

Discussing British depression with Barbara Cartland at her castle (part 2) while Studs was in England.

Ed Paulsen discusses the Great Depression its impact.

Mary Lynn Kotz discusses her book "Rauschenberg, Art and Life" with Studs as they recount the works and story of 20th century art pioneer Robert Rauschenberg. They survey his career beginning in Port Arthur, TX, discussing his Depression-era upbringing which caused him to reuse and salvage virtually any object and transform it into art, his studies in Paris, made possible by the G.I.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

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.

Evolution and the future of the human race are among topics in Carl Sagan's and Ann Druyan's book, "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are." Included is an excerpt of the astronomer Harlow Shapley speaking at the beginning. Carl Sagan also reads an excerpt from the book at the end.