Seymour Melman discusses his book "Pentagon Capitalism: The Political Economy of War." Topics of discussion include the military-industrial complex and the state management of industry, particularly in regards to defense.

Innocent, unarmed villagers were murdered in the horrific massacre in March of 1968. In Seymour M. Hersh's book, "My Lai 4: A Report on the Massacre and Its Aftermath," Seymour further explains that to the soldiers, the killing was simply a game to them, of who could kill the most bodies.

Former Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy talks about his presidential campaign. Includes an excerpt of a 1968 program in which Studs and James Cameron visit Lincoln Park after the Chicago Democratic Convention riots.

Sebastiao Salgado, a Brazilian documentary photographer and photojournalist, converses with Studs about his book "Workers: An Archaeology of the Industrial Age". Mr. Salgado shares stories with Studs of the people he has photographed, and the things he has learned about the perseverance of human nature. Several songs are interspersed;

The Irish poet and playwright shares with Studs how he was drawn to poetry and how his education and early life in Northern Ireland helped him to find his voice.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Author Scott Ridley discusses the book “Power Struggle: The Hundred-Year War Over Electricity” and the corruption in the private power industry. Studs plays "Roll on Columbia" by Judy Collins (1972) and "Grand Coulee Dam" by Woody Guthrie (1941).

Artist and author Scott McCloud discusses and reads from his book “Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art.” This discussion focuses heavily on the history of comics, or sequential art, and notable figures using this artform. Studs plays "Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee: 4. The Twittering Machine" - Gunther Schuller (1966).

Discussing the book "Archibald MacLeish: An American Life" (published by Houghton Mifflin) with the author Scott Donaldson.

After being thoroughly disillusioned and disgusted with city life, Scott and Helen Nearing moved to a farm. They talk about homesteading in their book, "Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World". They built their house of stone and they farmed the land. They ate no meat, as they didn't believe in hunting or killing animals. The Nearings hadn't seen a doctor in over 40 years.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Interviewing Scharmel Iris reading excerpts from his "Spanish earth"

Community organizer and social activist, Saul Alinsky speaks about his newest book, "Rules for Radicals," and reminisces about his work in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, his advocacy for African-American labor rights, and his connection with the Mexican-American civil rights movement in California. Although Studs' introduction states that this is a rebroadcast of a 1962 interview, that is incorrect. The interview was recorded in 1971.

Sandra Lieb discusses the book "Mother of the Blues: A Study of Ma Rainey." Includes songs sung by Ma Rainey such as "Runaway Blues," "See See Rider," "Moonshine Blues," and "Oh, Papa Blues." Includes poem "Ma Rainey" by Sterling Brown. Includes "Oh, Daddy," by Ethel Waters. Includes "Young Woman's Blues" by Bessie Smith.

Sandra Cisneros sits down with Studs Terkel and provides behind the scenes commentary on poems from her new book "My Wicked Wicked Ways." She provides an enlightening history to them. "Curtains," "Velorio," "Arturo Burro," "I Told Susan Reyna," "Traficante," "In a redneck bar down the street," The Poet Reflects on Her Solitary Fate," "His Story," "Letter to Ilona from the South of France," "New Year's Eve" have been removed due to copyright restrictions.