Discussing the book "Unto this hour" a novel about the American Civil war with the author Tom Wicker.

Soviet intellectuals Tamara Mamedova, Nicolai Pogodin, and Anatol Safronov talk with Studs Terkel about their work with the Institute for Soviet-American Relations (U.S.) and Soviet arts and culture.

Ronnie Duggar’s book, “Politician: The Life and Times of Lyndon Johnson,” shows Johnson’s rise to power. Duggar explained that from a young age, Johnson knew to court power. While at the Teachers College in Texas, Johnson told his cousin, “It starts at the president’s office,” where Johnson was the president’s right arm man. Once in the Senate, Johnson chose to be on the Armed Services Committee because he knew Senator Richard Russell ran the Senate. Johnson courted powerful men and in exchange, these men would advance his career.

Past radio transcripts of former President Ronald Reagan were being hidden or suppressed. Ronnie Dugger worked tirelessly at getting the transcripts so that people would learn the truth about Reagan. In Dugger’s book, “On Reagan: The Man & His Presidency,” Dugger points out that President Reagan was against the ERA. He didn’t believe in anti-trust, and he opposed every civil rights act every placed in front of him. Dugger said Reagan’s genius was that he’d get elected without people knowing of his records.

"Where the Steel Winds Blow" is Robert Cromie's anthology of 210 war poems. With his book, Cromie wanted to point out the impact of war. There are also war-related songs throughout the program.

In Robert Bendiner's book, "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties," Bendiner covered Herbert Hoover's ineptness and Franklin Roosevelt's heroism. Bendiner also remembers vividly the moment when Huey Long did a jig on the Senate floor. Long further explained that the New Deal had to happen because it was what all the people, of both parties needed.

Although he was not a historian, Robert Bendiner said he believed he could provide accounts of events through a journalist's eyes with his book "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties". It was a depressing time, recalls Bendiner, a time he hopes no one has to experience again. Businesses needed people to buy goods but there wasn't enough money for people to buy food let alone goods and materials. Bendiner recalls Riverside Drive was once affluent and picturesque. The view then turned to one full of Hooverville shacks.

Peter Lyon discusses the book "Success Story: The Life and Times of S. S. McClure." Includes recitation of "Immortality" by William Jennings Bryan.

Lois Wille caused an uproar with the story she wrote for the Chicago Daily News, "Inside a Slum High School." According to Wille's investigation, a lack of money, over crowding of students, lights that don't work in the school and no books were among some of the problems that Wille found at Crane High School. Students also had a pessimistic view, explained Wille, as she found students didn't believe the teachers and counselors cared what theyd do after they got out of high school but they just wanted them to get out and leave Crane.

Terkel interviews activist and children's author Dagmar Wilson. She discusses how she goes from a children's author to an activist for anti-nuclear testing.