Novelist Oriana Fallaci discusses and reads from her book "Inshallah", a fictional book chronicling the experiences of a group of Italian soldiers on a 1983 peace keeping mission in Beirut. The interview focuses on the book, its characters, and the larger themes at play throughout the novel. Studs Terkel briefly discusses Fallaci's previous book, "Interview with History." Studs plays "Hajartak Part 3 Start (Your Love is Heartless Gives You Hell Poem)" - Oum Kalthoum.

Otto Friedrich discusses his "Time" magazine piece, his writing, and American history. Songs "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Free America" by Joseph Warren, a German song, an 18th century Boston Tea Party song, and an 18th-century British soldier song have been removed for copyright restrictions.

Million Mayer, journalist, reads his article, "Ill Met by Moonlight" and discusses his thoughts on technology and automation replacing jobs and human interactions.he also talks about youth, non-violence protesting for change, and education.

Robert Caro, journalist, discusses his book, "The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York." Caro talks about Robert Moses and the power he had over New York for 44 years. He talks about parks, bridges, highways, and housing that Moses built as he challenged mayors, governors, and the working class. 

Elizabeth Drew discussing her book, "Washington Journal: The Events of 1973-1974," about the uncertain times during the Watergate scandal. She describes the Saturday Night Massacre and the military alert that were attempts to cover-up Watergate, along with how people working inside the White House felt during these events.

Richard Reeves his book "A Ford, not a Lincoln," about Gerald Ford and the politics of the 1970s. He also discusses journalism and White House reporting.

James David Barber, author and political scientist, discusses his book, "The Pulse of Politics: Electing Presidents in the Media Age." He explains the premise of his beliefs that presidential elections run a cycle of "conflict, conscience, conciliation," and how media affects this. He uses examples of elections from Teddy Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter. Presidential campaign songs are played throughout the interview. A record is played to hear the voices of Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Renault Robinson, founder of the African American Patrolman's League in Chicago, and Robert McClory, journalist and author of a biography of Robinson, "The Man Who Beat Clout City," discuss Robinson's life and court case, Robinson v. Chicago Police Department. Robinson recalls how he was seen as a model policeman until he created the Afro-American Police League, when the Police Department started treating him differently.

Daniel Ellsberg, political activist and former military analyst, discuses his release of the Pentagon Papers and his thoughts on how the Vietnam War played out. He also discusses what he believes the next war could look like and how America, and the world, would be affected by nuclear war.

Joan Cook discusses her book "In Defense of Homo Sapiens" and talks about research done by other scientists working with Chimps and other primates. She explains her stance that not all humans lean towards violence and that nature, not nurture, and the environment creates aggression and violence. The conversation compares economics and Darwinism for a view of humanistic economics.