Studs Terkel interviews Sweden Prime Minister Olaf Palme at the House of Parliament. They discuss socialist political viewpoints and touch on a large variety of subjects. Major topics include work environment, working women, issues of ordinary people, industrialism, the post-industrial society, technology, and communities. Studs gives a short post script to inform listeners about the arrest of five journalists in Sweden, who were charged with exposing information about a secret police called the Information Branch. It was said that they jeopardized Sweden's security.

Interviewing Ed Ruff, Joe Polowski, and Leroy; three veterans of the meeting of U.S. and Soviet forces at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. The result of this meeting was the splitting of Nazi Germany into two parts and the ensuring of victory in Europe.

Erich Lüth discusses his experiences, observations, and accounts of life in Hamburg, Germany during the rise and fall of Hitler. He recounts how as a member of Parliament he brought in Hitler's, "Mein Kampf" and read portions aloud and was laughed at by his colleagues. He states they were blind to what Hitler declared in his book he would do and some are still blind by wanting to rub out their past, their history.

Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. The conversation continues with Studs talking to the group about their futures. They say they're happiest when playing their music.

Part 1 of this recording is Mitch Kraus interviewing Studs Terkel on his thoughts of self-indulgence, stereotypes, generational challenges, and historical events.

Studs Terkel discusses literature, Judaism, and the Holocaust with the novelist, poet, journalist, and teacher Richard M. Elman (1934-1997). Their discussion revolves around Elman's recently published work of historical fiction, "The 28th Day of Elul", much of which takes place in the village of Clig, Hungary, during the time of the Nazi occupation of Hungary during World War II. Topics include Jewish identity, The Holocaust, persecution of The Jews, feelings of guilt and social prejudice among Holocaust survivors.

Studs Terkel discusses literature, Judaism, and the Holocaust with the novelist, poet, journalist, and teacher Richard M. Elman (1934-1997). Their discussion revolves around Elman's recently published work of historical fiction, "The 28th Day of Elul", much of which takes place in the village of Clig, Hungary, during the time of the Nazi occupation of Hungary during World War II. Topics include Jewish identity, The Holocaust, persecution of The Jews, feelings of guilt and social prejudice among Holocaust survivors.

Studs discusses the life and work of Irish playwright, critic, and political activist George Bernard Shaw with historian and biographer Stanley Weintraub. The focus of the interview is Weintraub's book, Journey to Heartbreak: The Crucible Years of Bernard Shaw 1914-1918.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

There is a silence in the tape from 3:48 to 3:58 due to Studs changing the tape. It should be noted that the word "clever" in this discussion means intelligent. The interview concludes at 35:36 where Studs offers his reflections on his stay. Luth is the retired Press Chief of Hamburg and has also helped with remunerations for the Jewish people in the aftermath of World War II. He has also facilitated detente between Israel and West Germany.

Erich Lüth's discussion with Studs Terkel is similar to part 3 but Luth offers a more in-depth conversation on the role of teachers in schools and how the time of Hitler is taught. There were those teachers that joined the party to continue their love of teaching and those teachers that were brought into the Nazi Party to follow their convictions. This lack of courage to resist influences pupils today because teachers are not saying they were cowards. The relationship is altered out of shame, and embarrassment.

Terkel comments and presents musical performance of Shakespeare tapestry

The Israeli Army is the backbone of Israel and refusing to serve is something worse than taboo, according to Stephen Langfur's "Confessions from a Jericho Jail: What Happened When I Refused to Fight the Palestinians". While sentenced to jail for 21 days, he witnessed guards deprive prisoners of water, and he questioned what had made these Israeli guards become so inhumane.

Discussing the political situation in the Philippines and the human rights organization Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) with Sister Margot Lloran. The TFDP works with the Filipino people to craft a response to militarization.

Simon Wiesenthal discusses his advocacy work after surviving the Holocaust and the publication of The Sunflower in 1969.

Studs Terkel speaks with translator and lawyer Sidney Shapiro about Shapiro’s life in China and what life was like there before and after the Communist Revolution. An audio clip is played of Dr. George Hatem discussing his experiences of being a doctor in China during the Long March.