As a result of writing his book, "Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs," Hunter S. Thompson said he's become calmer and not so quick to react, in case a fight starts. Thompson believes the reason for the rise in violence is due to pent up anger and hostility. A clip of a former prize fighter describing how he threatens people to repay their debts is played.
Church leaders Howard Schomer, Elsie Schomer and Rabbi Jacob Weinstein talk about their experiences with the Vietnamese people they encountered. The group determined no matter who they came in contact with, two things were true, they were never told that they should leave Vietnam and that all the Vietnamese people longed for peace.
Studs interview with Hildegard Knef, actress and writer. They discuss her life in Nazi Germany during the war and her experience as an actress when she came to America. Studs and Hildegard read together from her book, "The Gift Horse." Knef describes her family, Nazi Germany, survival, and her experience as a German in American post WWII. Her husband, David Anthony Palastanga, also reads an excerpt from her book.
Having been a Lincoln biographer for a quarter of a century, Herbert Mitgang felt the importance of writing the play "Mister Lincoln: A Drama in Two Acts". Lincoln's rich language can be heard through Mr. Mitgang''s dramatic interpretation of Lincoln's life.
Henry Steele Commager discusses America, American history, and American relations. He also discusses television, historical figures, and wars. (Recorded at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston, Ill.).
Helga Sandburg reads some of her poetry and discusses her life as the daughter of fellow poet Carl Sandburg.
Discussing the book "The 900 days" about the siege of Leningrad during World War II.
An interesting, half-hour interview conducted while Taylor was visiting Chicago on a lecture tour. The two discuss student discontent on campuses across the United States, intellectuals' work in military defense and cynicism among those in the professional-education hierarchy.
H. E. F. (Shag) Donahue and Nelson Algren discuss Donahue's book, "Conversations with Nelson Algren," a biographical exploration of Algren's life as a writer. They discuss the creative lives, successes and failures of other authors in relation to Algren's work, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger, Richard Wright, and others. Includes the author reading excerpts from "Conversations with Nelson Algren."
With both books "Soul Sister" and "Bessie Yellowhair" , Grace Halsell shares her experiences when she posed as both a Black woman and a Navajo Indian. According to Halsell, the only differences between white and Black people, were the color of people's skin. Halsell also explained that it was psychologically harder to be play the part of a Navajo Indian being a servant to a white family.
Writer Gore Vidal discusses his book, the Eastern philosophy behind it, and its themes on media sensationalism.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations
Writer Gore Vidal discusses his book “Myra Breckinridge,” the central characters of the book, and some of his previous work. Vidal reads excerpts from “Myra Breckinridge.” The songs “Crucifixion” by Jim & Jean and “Prisoner Numero 9” by Volutia are played. Additionally, Lily Kraus performs the 3rd Movement from Mozart’s Allegro number 15.