Visiting Professor of History at the University of Chicago Denis Mack Smith discusses the book “Italy: Modern History.” Smith primarily focuses this discussion on the political history of Italy.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.

Daniel Yergin, author and economic historian, discusses his book, "Shattered Peace: The Origins of the Cold War and the National Security State." He explains the key players in the Cold War and his thoughts on the Yalta and Riga Axioms. Yergin also explores the end of World War II and other events that led to the tensions between US and the Soviet Union.

Connor Cruise O'Brien, Irish politician, writer, historian and academic scholar, discusses politics and the book "Writers and Politics: Essays and Criticisms".

The Big Three leaders - Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Harry Truman - are among the main topics of Charles L. Mee's book, "Meeting at Potsdam." It was the ending stages of World War II and as Mee explains, the meeting at Postdam was really a peace conference. The beginning of this recording includes an excerpt of a speech by Churchill.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs interview with Basil Davidson, Africanologist, about his book, "Lost Cities of Africa." The interview takes place in Barnes, London. They touch on African culture, history, and civilization.

Through Jean Donovan's diary entries and her book, "Salvador Witness: The Life and Calling of Jean Donovan," Ana Carrigan offers a camera len's view of what Joan Donavan experienced while working as a missionary in El Salvador. Jean Donovan felt a strong need to work with the poor. Carrigan's book also covers Donovan's murder and cover up by the US State Department.

Alfred McCoy discusses the history of heroin trafficking within the context of American foreign policy.

Alfred McCoy discusses the history of heroin trafficking within the context of American foreign policy.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and historian discusses her book, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, and its historical background.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations