Journalist Nicholas Von Hoffman shares his critical thoughts about universities and colleges. Students are told what to read for class and students are taught how to pass exams, says Von Hoffman. Testing and exams don't work, contends Von Hoffman. Students must be allowed to read more about a subject on their own as opposed to what's solely offered by the curriculum's books.

Nicholas Van Hoffman discusses the characters of his novel, "Two Three Many More" about campus protests against the Vietnam War. Political viewpoints, regulations, and character analysis are discussed. Von Hoffman opens the interview with a reading from the opening of the book that mentions peace, solidarity, and disunity. Terkel and Von Hoffman read excerpts together from the book.

Nicholas Von Hoffman talks about his book "Left at the Post: Passions, Prejudices, and Laments of One of America's Most Generously Biased Writers". Additional topics include biased journalism, objectivism in news reporting, and politics.

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.

Studs Terkel speaks with journalists Neil and Susan Sheehan about their respective books “A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam” and “Is There No Place on Earth for Me?” Further discussion is had about journalism and Neil and Susan’s collaborations together. Audio clips of when Neil Sheehan and Susan Sheehan were previously on Terkel’s program are played.

Studs Terkel talks with journalists Neil and Susan Sheehan about objective and responsible journalism, as well as what can influence a news story. A sound bite of photographer Jerome Zerbe is played where Zerbe discusses taking photos of the upper class during the Great Depression. Another sound bite is played of a man named Joe Begley discussing how laws created during the Great Depression should have met the needs of the people better.

Discussing the book "Boston Boy," with author Nat Hentoff.

Discussing the book "Free Speech For Me--But Not For Thee: How the American Left and Right Relentlessly Censor Each Other," (published by HarperCollins) with the author Nat Hentoff.

Discussing the book "Observations from a Treadmill" and interviewing the author My (pseudonym).

Murray Kempton discusses race relation in the United State of America and the Black Panther Trial in New York. Murray also discusses his book, originally published as, "The Briar Patch: The People of New York versus Lumumba Shakur, et al." This book was reprinted as "The Briar Patch: The Trial of the Panther 21" in 1997.

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   

Million Mayer, journalist, reads his article, "Ill Met by Moonlight" and discusses his thoughts on technology and automation replacing jobs and human interactions.he also talks about youth, non-violence protesting for change, and education.