Jack Conroy remembers having a literary interest at the age of eight. He reflects on life back in the 1930s, when writers were writing against the system. In later years, he says, writers didn't seem to know what to rebel against.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Political commentator Jack Anderson talks about his career, from his beginnings as a war correspondent in WWII, to his time under his mentor Drew Pearson.

Studs interviews Jabbo Smith and presents some of his musical performances. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording. Smith shares the story of his childhood in the Jenkins Orphanage and how he came to learn music there. He discusses the songs he wrote and people he played with throughout his career and how he came out of retirement in Holland on the trombone.

The tape begins with Studs speaking with Christopher Sykes, a friend and producer, Studs is getting information how to behave and what to expect. Studs meets Ms. Compton-Burnett at a flat in Cornwell Gardens, London, England and they discuss her life and work as a novelist and writer. Ms Compton Burnett discusses London and class structure. End of tape 1

Ivy Compton-Burnett continues the discussion of class structure in England. Ms. Compton-Burnett states that she has never been a actor but she had always been an observer, to which Studs agrees that her writing reflect her statement accurately. He ends the interview by telling Ms. Compton-Burnett that she is a true original and that he greatly admires her individuality. Interview ends at 13:00. (part 2) Studs then begins an interview with Peter Hall at Aldwych theater office London, England. Mr.

Ivan Moravec discusses his career, classical pianists, and composers. He also discusses his colleagues or contemporary pianists.

Iván Boldizsár discusses Hungarian folk music, lyrical translations, and the difference in writing and educating peasants versus city dwellers in Hungary.

There are 23 stories in Isabel Allende's book, "The Stories of Eva Luna". "Revenge," "Tosca," and "The Judge's Wife" are among the stories discussed. Recalling her upbringing, Allende believed all her stories came from a place of community.

Yiddish author Isaac Bashevis Singer discusses his collection of short stories, "Short Friday," as well as his writing style and spiritual influences.

Isaac Bashevis Singer explains whenever he writes, he writes about life. He said that his book, "Shosha", is kind of a memoir or an autobiography. IB Singer admits that he never marries his Shosha. A theme of the novel, if there is a God, how come there's so much sadness and disappointment around in life?

Friar Tuck, as he was also known, was very active in socialist causes in Chicago. In the sweatshops, working fourteen or fifteen hours was the norm. Carolyn Ashbaugh's book "Lucy Parsons" goes over Parsons' movement for the 8-hour work day.

Studs Terkel and Irwin Silber, a writer and Civil War historian, talk about music from the Civil War and Silber’s book “Songs of the Civil War.” This is the final part of the interview with Silber. A brief interview with Malayan artist Abdullah Ariff follows the Silber interview. Ariff discuss Malayan culture and the artwork he has on display in the United States.

Studs Terkel and Irwin Silber, a writer and Civil War historian, talk about music from the Civil War and Silber’s book “Songs of the Civil War.” This is the first part of the interview with Silber.