Leo Stodolsky and Gerald Temaner discuss college students' activity — or lack thereof — and their magazine, New University Thought.

Norman Mailer discusses his writing, literary criticism, and American life. Other topics of conversation include Mailer’s thoughts on “affirmative” literary works, apathy and a lack of passion in modern life, beat writers and their reception in the United States, and many of his contemporary writers.

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

Poets Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, and Peter Orlovsky, speak with Studs Terkel about their influences and what made them into the poets they are. Terkel reads a preface, written by William Carlos Williams, to Ginsberg’s poem “Howl.”

Dorothy Parker’s thoughts as a critic and writer on the state of American literature.

The poet, playwright, and essayist - in town for a visit to the School of The Art Institute - talks with Studs about his connections to Janis Joplin, nature poetry, and scientist Francis Crick. His collection, Scratching the Beat Surface, is discussed.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs Terkel and Allen Ginsberg talk about poetry, meditation, and the shifting of American socio-political consciousness between the 50's and 70's.

A member of the Beat Generation, activist, and author Allen Ginsberg discusses his latest work and its reflection on his life. The piece covers works such as the infamous poem Howl to the sentimental piece called Aunt Rose.

Writers Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs discuss life and their writing; passages from their writing are read by the authors and clip is played of interview with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and Peter Orlovsky.