Author Calvin Trillin discusses the world of professional writing and his novel, Floater. Both Trillin and Studs read excerpts from the book.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

"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.

With his book, "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam", Neil Sheehan wanted to tell what happened in Vietnam and why it happened through telling the story of Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann. Sheehan said Vann had a keen sense of reality. Vann knew if they didn't change the Saigon government into something decent that would appeal to its own people, they'd never succeed at anything other than getting American soldiers killed for nothing. Although readers will find painful experiences in the book, Sheehan explained that his book is not an anti-war book.

The journalist and editor joins to Studs to talk about his latest collection of essays, The Nature of the Beast.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations   

Reflections on Judith Wax's life are part of her book, "Starting in the Middle." Ms. Wax talks about being the perfect wife and mother, when she always secretly wanted to be a writer. Being an ignored female guest at dinner parties was always interesting, too, as male guests would often ask her, "What does your husband do?"

"Table Money," is Jimmy Breslin's novel about Owney and Dolores Morrison and their relationships with one another, with God, with the union job in Queens and with the local tavern.

James Mills, a novelist and journalist, talks to Studs about his book "Report to the Commissioner". Mr. Mills and Studs discuss the story and Mr. Mills goes in depth into the process of police detectives working a case. Studs plays an excerpt of a Chicago policeman talking about working on the tactical squad on the police force. The policeman tells of how they go into a neighborhood as civilians to stop crime.

The New York Times correspondent in Moscow discusses and reads from his novel, The Gates of Hell. The book closely mirrors the life of Russian novelist and Soviet dissident Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The writer and public intellectual discusses his recent publications, Myron: A Novel, and, Burr, an historical novel about Founding Father, Aaron Burr.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "WLT, A Radio Romance," (published by Viking) with the author and radio host Garrison Keillor. Program also includes excerpts of a 1985 interview.

Studs interview with Garrison Keillor who discusses his books, "Happy To Be Here" and "True Story Of A Young Person" and his New Yorker story, "My North Dakota Railroad Days." The interviews starts with "The Ballad of Casey Jones" and ends with the hymn, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Studs and Keillor read from the "Sam Spade" novel. They also discuss Keillor home of Minneapolis and how his childhood led him to his career.

Discussing the women's movement, feminism, and the books, "At Large," with its author, journalist Ellen Goodman, and "The Second Stage" with its author, feminist Betty Friedan.