Otto Friedrich discusses his "Time" magazine piece, his writing, and American history. Songs "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Free America" by Joseph Warren, a German song, an 18th century Boston Tea Party song, and an 18th-century British soldier song have been removed for copyright restrictions.

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.

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

Daniel Ellsberg, political activist and former military analyst, discuses his release of the Pentagon Papers and his thoughts on how the Vietnam War played out. He also discusses what he believes the next war could look like and how America, and the world, would be affected by nuclear war.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault's book, "In My Place," offers Hunter-Gault's experiences with history, namely her being one of only 2 Black students that were allowed to go to the University of Georgia. She talks about liberation and freedom and she recalls what it would have been like for her ancestors to struggle .

Washington Post journalists discuss their book "All the President's Men" about breaking the Watergate scandal.

Ronald Steel goes in-depth about his biography of journalist Walter Lippman.

Discussing the book "Layed back in Washington" and interviewing Art Buchwald.