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.

When asked, Jen Kruuse said he wrote his book, “A War for an Afternoon,” as a result of life being madness. As a morale booster, to make the men of the SS army feel invincible, they were ordered to exterminate the town of Oradour-sur-Glane, France. The women and children of the town were rounded up, placed in the town’s church and the church was burned. All the men of the town were shot dead. The entire incident, explained Kruuse, was madness, pure madness.

Jadwiga Lopez and Andrew Patner discuss Poland and tell stories about their latest visits before and during the Poland Crisis of 1980-1981. Topics discussed include the economic hardships, food shortages, the Solidarity Union, politics, and the arts. Parts of polish music is played at the start and end.

Interviewing Irish author Ulick O'Connor and discussing Brendan, his biography of poet and playwright Brendan Behan.*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 New York Times correspondent in Moscow discusses and reads from his novel, The Gates of Hell. The book closely mirrors the life of Russian novelist and Soviet dissident Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Interviewing Swedish writer and political activist Sara Lidman while Studs was in Sweden.

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

Interviewing Barbara Cartland at her castle and a Welsh physician in Tavistock Square while Studs was in England.

Discussing British depression with Barbara Cartland at her castle (part 2) while Studs was in England.

Discussing the book, "Wanted: The Search for Nazis in America," and interviewing its author Howard Blum.

Hilda Bernstein tells Studs about her and her husband's activism in South Africa, apartheid, and the Sharpville demonstration. Includes an excerpt from the program with Chief Albert John Luthuli (Wav ID 1895817-6-1).