Discussing the book, "9226 Kercheval: The Storefront That Did Not Burn," and interviewing its author, Nancy Milio. Topics include community health services in Detroit, Michigan, and the response of African American residents.

Five mothers from Chicago discuss the hardships of living in poverty and how little welfare actually helps with Studs Terkel.

What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

James Comer and Alvin Poissaint discuss their book " Black Child Care: How to Bring Up A Healthy Black Child In American - A Guide to Emotional and Psychological Development". They discuss raising a Black child in America in the 1970's, amid racism. Clip played of Odetta "All the Pretty Little Horses"(Studs Terkel Archive WAV ID 1853133-3-1)

Psychiatrist Dr. Garrett O'Connor discusses his article "Reflections in the rubble: some thoughts in the aftermath of civil disorder." Topics of conversation include his experiences working in community clinics with blue collar workers and African Americans; the ways that poverty, racism, and classism are maintained by the American economy; the Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ellen Afterman and Clinton Sanders (authors of "Drugs and Your Life") and Spellman Young discuss drug use through the lenses of race, sex, and socioeconomic status.

Comedian and activist Dick Gregory joins Studs Terkel to discuss his new book “Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin' With Mother Nature.” Gregory talks about his experiences fasting for both political and health reasons, and he comments on hunger in America, the power of the navy bean, and changing trends in eating. The two discuss the peace movement and Watergate, and Gregory shares his experience as a black man in the military. Gregory believes that how you treat yourself and your body reflects how you treat others.

Discussing the book "The legacy of Malthus" with the author Allen Chase.