In Robert Bendiner's book, "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties," Bendiner covered Herbert Hoover's ineptness and Franklin Roosevelt's heroism. Bendiner also remembers vividly the moment when Huey Long did a jig on the Senate floor. Long further explained that the New Deal had to happen because it was what all the people, of both parties needed.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Studs Terkel and Robert Altman discuss the opera "McTeague" based on Frank Norri's novel of the same name.

On July 17, 1944, there was a huge explosion at Port Chicago in California. Of the 320 men on duty at the pier that died, 202 of them were Black. Robert Allen's book, "The Port Chicago Mutiny: The Story of the Largest Mass Mutiny Trial in U.S. Naval History," covers the story of poor working conditions, the explosion, work stoppage, the trial and the outcome. There is an excerpt of Joe Small, recalling what happened, when he was a sailor present there.

Historians and exhibit organizers Rob Okun, Richard Fried, and Peter Novick discuss the Spertus Museum’s exhibit “Unknown Secrets: Art and the Rosenberg Era.” Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were both convicted and executed in 1953 for participating in spy activity for the Soviet Union. Okun, Fried, and Novick discuss the Rosenberg case and the subsequent response from the public after the execution, many of whom felt the Rosenbergs were wrongfully convicted. The art in this exhibit captures the passion surrounding this case.

Studs Terkel interviews Rita Streich about her recital coming up. He also plays selections from her work for viewers to listen to. She also talks about music during World War II.

Studs Terkel interviews Rita Streich about her recital coming up. He also plays selections from her work for viewers to listen to. She also talks about music during World War II.

Studs Terkel interviews Rita Streich about her recital coming up. He also plays selections from her work for viewers to listen to. She also talks about music during World War II. This interview is conducted in three parts.

Studs interviews Rita Streich, and they discuss the meaning of some of her operas and lieds. Streich names Erna Berger and Maria Ivogun as her best teachers, and she speaks a little about her family. Studs and Streich read part of the poem, "The Nut Tree" by Robert Schuman. Streich reads a part of "Brahms Lullaby" and "Shepherd On the Rock" by Franz Schubert. She also discusses the difference between opera in her day compared to opera at the time of the interview. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Rita Streich discusses her career as a soprano singer, Mozart, composers, and classical music. Includes some speech in German.

Rita Moreno talks about her own Puerto Rican ethnicity and how it relates to her role as Anita in West Side Story.

Rita Moreno talks about her own Puerto Rican ethnicity and how it relates to her role as Anita in West Side Story.

Rita Buscari interviews inner-city youth in Chicago in the aftermath of the 1968 riots. Several pre-teen and teenaged African American youth are featured, discussing their experiences during the Chicago riots of April 1968. Topics include: Relationships between children and adults, relationships between police and civilians, relationships between blacks and whites, and the impact that Martin Luther King Jr.

Ring Lardner Jr. discusses the writings of his father Ring Lardner, and his new book "The Lardners: My Family Remembered", discussing his family life, Mother, Father, and siblings.

Musician Rick Fielding discusses his upcoming concert, his time touring in Canada, and the making of some songs on his album.

Rick Cluchey's love for the theatre began in the Theatre Group of the San Quentin Prison. After his time there, Cluchey spent three months in Berlin working with Samuel Beckett. It was there that Cluchey learned how Beckett seemed to choreograph his works onto the stage. An excerpt of an interview with Alan Schneider is also included.