Writer Paul Theroux discusses his book “Picture Palace” and the meaning of a photograph with Studs Terkel. Both Theroux and Terkel read excerpts from Theroux’s book, and an audio clip of a photographer discussing what photography means to them is played.

The relationship between novelist Thomas Wolfe and theater director Aline Bernstein is covered in Carole Klein's book, Aline.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Writer Carlos Fuentes discusses life, politics, and Mexican culture; Mexican folk songs are played throughout the program.

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, 'Uncommon Women', published in 1981. The book chronicles the lives of Gwendolyn Brooks, Julie Harris, Sarah Caldwell, Maria Tallchief, Alice Neel, Mary McCarthy, Eugenia Zukerman, Roberta Peters, and Mary Lou Williams, discussing the impressive things they have accomplished in their respective professions ranging from poetry, to opera, to literature, and art and abstraction.

After having received the Caldecott Medal for "Where the Wild Things Are," Maurice Sendak knew he had to do a different kind of book. Sendak recalled his trips to Brooklyn as a child and how going out to eat was a huge treat. From there, Sendak's book, "Night Kitchen," was born.