Discussing the book, "Eighty Years at Hull House," and interviewing the co-author, Mary Lynn McCree Bryan. Mary Lynn McCree Bryan discusses the Hull House and its founders in Chicago, Illinois. Includes two clips of Florence Scala speaking: one about nature and about a tree that was taken down at Hull House and one about Jane Addams. Includes a clip of Jessie Binford discussing Jane Addams.

In Mary Lynn Kotz's book, "Rauschenberg, Art and Life," Kotz recounts the works and story of 20th century art pioneer Robert Rauschenberg. They survey his career beginning in Port Arthur, TX, discussing his Depression-era upbringing which caused him to reuse and salvage virtually any object and transform it into art, his studies in Paris, made possible by the G.I.

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.

Canadian poet and novelist Margaret Atwood discusses her poetry and her first novel, “Surfacing,” focusing on the novel’s symbolism and the themes of nature, religion and memory. She compares life, attitudes, and politics in Canada with those of the United States.

Lillian Smith explores the responses she received from her books that address racial prejudice and discrimination, especially in the south.

Discussing "Distortions of Negro History" and interviewing Lerone Bennett, Jr., John Hope Franklin and Hoyt Fuller.

Lawrence Weschler discusses his book “Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder” and the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Weschler discusses the director of this museum, David Hildebrand Wilson, and the surreal and often humorous exhibits on display in the museum. Studs plays "Suite Anglaise No. 2 in A Minor: II. Bourrée 1 et 2" - Jean-Frédéric Neuburger.

Discussing the book "The Opening of the American mind: Canons, Culture, and History" (published by Beacon Press) with the author, historian Lawrence Levine.

Author Laurence Shoup discusses his book, "The Carter Presidency and Beyond: Power and Politics in the 1980s," and explains how President Carter came to be elected. He describes the Trilateral Commission and other groups created by corporations and the richest American families to lobby. the government. He also discusses the Carter presidency and his double-dealing with major issues such as unions and regulating big businesses.

Discussing the novel "Paco's Story" (published by Farrar, Strauss & Giroux) with the author Larry Heinemann.

In her book, "After Sorrow: An American Among the Vietnamese," Lady Burton tells stories and reflects on what it was like to live among the village people in South Vietnam. Borton found the people to be smart. Among some of her stories, she learned how women carried messages and weapons through enemy territories.

Jules Feiffer and Studs read several of Feiffer's previous cartoons as they discuss his history as a cartoonist and his retrospective on display at the Walton Street Gallery in Chicago. Feiffer discusses his attempt to move away from political cartoons and instead shift focus to social commentary. Feiffer also discusses his play "Elliot Loves", a love story that captures the complications of love and the “gap” between the sexes.

Jules Feiffer discusses his book “Jules Feiffer’s America: From Eisenhower to Reagan”, a retrospective that chronicles his years as a social and political cartoonist. Studs and Feiffer read through several of Feiffer’s cartoons featured in this book, working their way through the book in “eras” which are categorized based on the U.S. President of that particular time frame. Studs plays “Sh-Boom” - The Crew Cuts (1954), “Big Bad John” - Jimmy Dean (1961). “Yellow Submarine” - The Beatles (1966), and “Happy Days Are Here Again” - Casa Loma Orchestra.