Carlotta Monti discusses W.C. Fields and her book "W.C. Fields & Me".

Discussing the books "Burnt water" and "Distant relations" with the author Carlos Fuentes.

Discussing the novel "The Old Gringo" (published by Harper & Row) with the author, novelist and essayist Carlos Fuentes.

Discussing the book "The Buried Mirror: Reflections on Spain and the New World" (published by Houghton Mifflin) with the author, novelist and essayist Carlos Fuentes.

Discussing the book "Contact" (published by Simon & Schuster) with the author, astronomer and science writer Carl Sagan. Starts with clip from Arthur C. Clarke (1856688-3-1).

Evolution and the future of the human race are among topics in Carl Sagan's and Ann Druyan's book, "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are." Included is an excerpt of the astronomer Harlow Shapley speaking at the beginning. Carl Sagan also reads an excerpt from the book at the end.

C.D.B. Bryan discusses his book "Friendly Fire" and the Vietnam War. Bryan discusses the true story of Michael Mullen who was killed by friendly fire in Vietnam and his family.

Bruno Bettelheim discusses his book "Love is not enough: the treatment of emotionally disturbed children". He discusses his theories on treating "emotionally disturbed" children and he speaks about The Orthogenic School for Emotionally Disturbed Children where he is the director.

Bruno Bettelheim discusses his book "The informed heart: Autonomy in a mass age". The book chronicles his time in concentration camps in Germany during World War II and discusses the dangers of the advancement of technology and how a totalitarian government impacts the personality of its' people.

Bruno Bettelheim discusses his book "Love is Not Enough: The Treatment of Emotionally Disturbed Children". He discusses his theories on treating "emotionally disturbed" children and he speaks about The Orthogenic School for Emotionally Disturbed Children where he is the director.

Bill McKibben, author and environmentalist discusses his book "The End of Nature." McKibben talks about climate and weather, greenhouse gasses, fossil fuels, chlorofluorocarbons, and carbon dioxide. He also explains how climate change could damage the ecosystems including birds. He ends the interview discussing what can be changed such as solar power.

While in Munich, Studs speaks with Berthold Spangenberg about postwar cultural reconstruction of Germany through the lens of Spangenberg's mid-sized publishing house. Spangenberg notes international influences and regional variances among German cities and the significance of a divided Berlin. Terkel ends with musings on his travels in Germany.

Barbara Kingsolver reads from and discusses her book, "Animal Dreams: A Novel." The main character, Codi, has returned to Grace, Arizona, to help her father, Doc Homer, with his bout of Alzheimer's. Kingsolver explained that the novel not only has flashbacks but that it's really about people's memories.

Discussing "The Passion of Ayn Rand" (published by Doubleday) with the author Barbara Branden.