Mr. Rosen discusses why he has written a memoir so early in his life and speaks about his other writings. Mr. Rosen reads excerpts from his book.

Discussing the book "Sweetbitter: A Novel" (published by Penguin Books) with the author Reginald Gibbons.

Terkel comments and two children read from I saw a Man

Musical performance by Ned Rorem

Writer Paul Theroux discusses his book “Picture Palace” and the meaning of a photograph with Studs Terkel. Both Theroux and Terkel read excerpts from Theroux’s book, and an audio clip of a photographer discussing what photography means to them is played.

When talking about his book, "Chi-Town," Norbert Blei said all the communities in Chicago offer everyone the groups' separate ethnic cultures. Blei also talks about riding the Douglass Park El and the old man sitting on a bench, who he encounters at Grant Park. Lastly, Blei talks about writers who have influenced him.

Nelson Algren discusses his short story, "How the Devil Came Down Division Street," the art of writing, and writers of the Beat Generation.

With his book, "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam", Neil Sheehan wanted to tell what happened in Vietnam and why it happened through telling the story of Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann. Sheehan said Vann had a keen sense of reality. Vann knew if they didn't change the Saigon government into something decent that would appeal to its own people, they'd never succeed at anything other than getting American soldiers killed for nothing. Although readers will find painful experiences in the book, Sheehan explained that his book is not an anti-war book.

The graphic designer turned poet shares some insight into her creative process, especially in the collections, Cry of the Peacocks, The Moonlit Upper Deckerina, and Ordinances.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

The journalist and editor joins to Studs to talk about his latest collection of essays, The Nature of the Beast.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations   

Michael J. Arlen discusses his book Thirty Seconds, published in 1980. He goes on to discuss the advertising agencies and the work that goes into a television commercial. Rebroadcast.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Poet and editor Michael Anania discusses his poetry collection, “The Color of Dust” and reads selected works from the collection. Anania discusses Midwest history and geography and his own Nebraska roots as influences on the work and its themes of love, war, and social issues. Episode includes relevant music and theatrical recordings, including “Immortality” read by William Jennings Bryan, “Rake and Rambling Boy,” Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love,” “Dust Bowl Refugee” by Woody Guthrie, and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”