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Architectural historian Robert Twombly discusses the biography “Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work.” Referred to by Studs as the architect that most symbolizes Chicago architecture, Louis Sullivan, this program outlines Sullivan’s life as a prominent architect who was one of the first to incorporate nature, or "the organic", into architecture, and who ended his life in poverty. This program includes a clip from 1956 of Frank Lloyd Wright speaking to his contemporaries, indignant, asking what took them so long to recognize Louis Sullivan and his genius in the architectural field?
In the book, "By the Bomb's Early Light: American Thought and Culture at the Dawn of the Atomic Age," Paul Boyer covers people's feelings and attitudes after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima. Boyer admits he, himself, when he was a young boy, he sent away for a free atomic ring that was being advertised. The program includes an excerpt of David Lilienthal talking.
In his book, "Make-Believe Presidents: Illusions of Power from McKinley to Carter," Nicholas von Hoffman points out which president(s) had power and which president(s) did not have any power.
Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.
Laura Fermi discusses Benito Mussolini and her book "Mussolini."
Terkel interviews Jonathan Wordsworth about his great-great uncle William Wordsworth.
Jonathan Spence, author and Yale University history professor, talks about his book "God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan." He discusses Hong Xiuquan who believed himself to be the son of God. Spence begins his interview explores how Christianity came to China and how Hong came into contact with its teachings. He explains Hong's belief that the Qing dynasty was an enemy government that needed to be overthrown which led to the Taiping Rebellion.
John Kenneth Galbraith, economist and diplomat, discusses his book, "The Age of Uncertainty," which was being made into a PBS documentary. Galbraith talks about some of the most well-known economists and explains their writings. He explains how many of their ideas have long lasting effects on capitalism the US has today.
Events not recorded in history books is what prompted John D. Weaver to write "The Brownsville Raid: The Story of America's Black Dreyfus Affair". Weaver had heard the story of Black Army soldiers causing a raucous, when they were actually set up. Without even being granted a trial, President Theodore Roosevelt, dismissed those soldiers from the United States Army, Weaver explained.
Author and historian Jeff Kisseloff discusses his book “The Box: An Oral History of Television, 1920-1961” and the major changes seen in the television industry. This program includes an excerpt of an interview with Charlie Andrews in which he discusses how the television industry is moving away from spontaneity. Studs plays "The Cuckoo" - Kukla, Fran and Ollie and "Wanderin'" - Win Stracke (1957).
Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and introduces some Civil War music. He talks about black soldiers, photography, and reconstruction. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. 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.