Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. 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. Taylor Branch discusses his book "Parting the Waters," touching on topics including the impact of Martin Luther King Jr., the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the March on Washington. Includes excerpts from interviews with Martin Luther King Jr., Mahalia Jackson, E. D. Nixon, Rosa Parks, and Myles Horton.

Discussing the book "The Maginot Line Syndrome: America's Hopeless Foreign Policy" (published by Ballinger) with the author, labor activists, and historian Sidney Lens.

According to Roger G. Kennedy's book, "American Churches," places of worship can also be organic expressions of the community. In the church, whether it be a temple or a cathedral, the architecture of the building itself should be inviting so that people will want to participate inside.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "All the World's a Fair: Visions of Empire at American International Expositions, 1876-1916" (published by University of Chicago Press) with the author, historian Robert Rydell.

According to Richard Barnet's book, "The Rockets' Red Glare: When America Goes to War: The Presidents and the People," most people kept to themselves and didn't talk to one another about anything. Barnet talks about how the government would use propaganda to get people interested and thus backing the government with going to war.

Discussing the book "BAD, or, The Dumbing of America" (published by Summit Books) with author Paul Fussell.

Discussing the book "Doing Battle: The Making of a Skeptic" (published by Little Brown) with author Paul Fussell.

In the book, "By the Bomb's Early Light: American Thought and Culture at the Dawn of the Atomic Age," Paul Boyer covers people's feelings and attitudes after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima. Boyer admits he, himself, when he was a young boy, he sent away for a free atomic ring that was being advertised. The program includes an excerpt of David Lilienthal talking.

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

Sophie and Hans Scholl and their underground, anti-violent, anti-Nazi group is the subject matter of the book, "Shattering the German Night: The Story of the White Rose." Co-author of the book, Jud Newborn, talks about the brother and sister duo were leaders of this movement that college students followed. In time, Nazi authorities found both Sophie and Hans and they were both executed.

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.

Discussing the Regal Theater with actor and theater historian John Keyes.

Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and introduces some Civil War music. He talks about black soldiers, photography, and reconstruction. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. 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.

Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and talks about some Civil War music. He also discusses the reasoning behind the Civil War and some of the key figures during that time and how many songs came to be written about the battles and leaders.