In Robert Bendiner's book, "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties," Bendiner covered Herbert Hoover's ineptness and Franklin Roosevelt's heroism. Bendiner also remembers vividly the moment when Huey Long did a jig on the Senate floor. Long further explained that the New Deal had to happen because it was what all the people, of both parties needed.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Although he was not a historian, Robert Bendiner said he believed he could provide accounts of events through a journalist's eyes with his book "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties". It was a depressing time, recalls Bendiner, a time he hopes no one has to experience again. Businesses needed people to buy goods but there wasn't enough money for people to buy food let alone goods and materials. Bendiner recalls Riverside Drive was once affluent and picturesque. The view then turned to one full of Hooverville shacks.

Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. 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.

Union official Ed Sadlowski, along with Joe Gutierrez, discusses the changing culture and values of union workers, their families, and management with Studs Terkel.

Ed Paulsen discusses the Great Depression its impact.

The program starts with a short clip of Studs Terkel interviewing Peggy Terry talking about The Great Depression and American propaganda during Vietnam War. After that clip. Dotson Rader starts to talk about his book "I ain't marchin' anymore"

Donald Sassoon, professor and writer, discusses his book “One Hundred Years of Socialism: The West European Left in the Twentieth Century.” Sassoon explores the history of socialism in Europe since 1889 and socialism's relationship with capitalism. He explains how the 1930 depression and World War II affected the growth of socialism in Europe and America. He also explains the creation and government of the Soviet Union

Film director King Vidor discusses his films, their themes, and where film was heading at the time of his interview with Studs Terkel. Columbia College’s Bob Edmonds joins them and further discusses Vidor’s work.

Caroline Bird discusses her book, 'Born Female: The High Cost of Keeping Women Down', published in 1968. Studs plays interviews from dissenters of the Women's Liberation Day and Caroline Bird responds. The discussion continues on issues of sexism and the future of the women in the workforce.

The history professor shares some of the voices that are collected in his book, Down and Out in the Great Depression: Letters from the Forgotten Man. Included in the program are clips from interviews with working mother Jane Yoder, Chicagoan Clifford Burke, Appalachian resident Peggy Terry, and Virginia Durr of Montgomery, Alabama.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations