Journalistic responsibility is a major theme of Gay Talese's book, "The Kingdom and the Power: Behind the Scenes at The New York Times, The Institution That Influences the World". Should they print what's true and verifiable or some watered down version of the truth? The New York Times has endured, says Talese because the paper plays it safe, it's never too right or too left.

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.

Frank Mankiewicz discusses the events surrounding the Watergate scandal and his new book, "U.S. vs Richard M. Nixon: The Final Crisis." A major theme of the book is the fact that legal issues were at the heart of the Watergate scandal, but the Nixon administration portrayed it as a public relations issue. Other topics of discussion include investigative journalism and the role of certain individuals in the prosecution of Richard Nixon.

European correspondent and journalist Daniel Singer discusses the independently published magazine “The Nation” and French politics and government. Singer focuses his discussion on the 1995 strikes in France and the political and economic events leading up to and influencing these strikes. Studs plays the French national anthem “La Marseillaise.”

Studs interviews Erik Bye about Norwegian immigration to America and his music. They discuss the reasons why people left Norway in the 19th century and the conditions they suffered when they settled in New York. Bye explains Norwegian history and why the Norwegians moved from the American east coast to the west. Studs notes that Bye is in Chicago to gather information to produce a Norwegian television documentary about early Norwegian immigrants. Bye shares his interpretations of some of his songs and explains Norwegian music.

Studs continues his interview with Erich Luth in Hamburg, Germany. The audio breaks at 25:23 and continues on a Sat at 25:28 till its conclusion at 35:43. Erich Luth conveys stories of humanity by both German prisoners towards Russian prisoners whose treatment was dictated by the Nazi party to not offer any winter clothing or shoes to provide comfort. The German laborers provided a human solidarity that brought them food, clothes, and soap.

Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. While visiting KPFA, a noncommercial radio station in Berkeley, CA, Studs Terkel was being interviewed by Elsa Knight Thompson about how he goes about interviewing his guests.

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.

Elizabeth Drew discussing her book, "Washington Journal: The Events of 1973-1974," about the uncertain times during the Watergate scandal. She describes the Saturday Night Massacre and the military alert that were attempts to cover-up Watergate, along with how people working inside the White House felt during these events.

There is a great deal of history to be found in Edward Scobie's book, "Black Britannia: A History of Blacks in Britain," including description of the anti-Black attitude of some of the English people.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Schanberg was a foreign correspondent and columnist for the New York Times until he resigned in 1985 after the paper reassigned him.