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 Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language.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.

Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and talks about some Civil War music. He also discusses the reasoning behind the Civil War and some of the key figures during that time and how many songs came to be written about the battles and leaders.

Durham created and broadcast radio plays in Chicago from 1948-1950, and his work was chronicled in "Richard Durham's Destination Freedom: Scripts From Radio's Black Legacy, 1948-50."

In his book, Make-Believe Presidents: Illusions of Power from McKinley to Carter, the American journalist Nicholas von Hoffman examines which presidents had power and which did not.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The British biographer joins Studs to discuss her latest book, Royal Charles, about King Charles II of England.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The author and oral historian joins Studs to discuss her book, Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins: How Our Family Stories Shape Us.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Interviewing author and historian Sydney Lewis.

Discussing "Afro-American cross-currents" and interviewing St. Clair Drake, George Shepperson and Professor Lorenzo Turner.

The historian and scholar describes how the suicide attempt which lead to his blindness gave him a new appreciation for life. Studs also plays a clip of a blind Chicago housing project resident.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Discussing the book "Lost Cities of Africa" with author Basil Davidson while Studs was in London.

Discussing the book "Lincoln" with the author Gore Vidal.