Alfred McCoy discusses the history of heroin trafficking within the context of American foreign policy.

Alfred McCoy discusses the history of heroin trafficking within the context of American foreign policy.

Alfred Alvarez, poet and author, talks about his new book, "The Savage God," and how depression and suicide affects people. He talks about his past experience with his friend Sylvia Plath and the end of her life. The two men also discuss the history of suicide including the Greeks, Judas, Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Alvarez also talks about famous artists who have committed suicide and why the 20th century may have caused so many suicides. Alvarez reads the opening passage and epilogue of his book.

Author, professor, and John Keats biographer, Aileen Ward, discusses and reads from the biography “John Keats: The Making of a Poet.” Ward discusses Keats’ schooling, his relationship with Fanny Brawne, and Keats’ work in comparison to his contemporaries such as Percy Bysshe Shelley. Ward reads Keats’ 1818 poem entitled “Isabella, or the Pot of Basil.” Studs plays a recording of Ralph Richardson reading Keats’ 1819 poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn.”*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

The Chicago writer tells Studs of the seventeen-month ordeal of searching for his missing grandson, as further described in his book, Where is Joey?: Lost Among the Hare Krishnas.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The American playwright, author, and filmmaker discusses and reads lines from his Goodman Theatre adaptation of Pierre Laville's The Red River.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations