Studs discusses literature, mining and Moberly, Missouri with author Jack Conroy. Conroy had recently (1966) released "Anyplace But Here", a republished version of "They Seek A City", in collaboration with Arna Bontemps. Topics include proletarian literature, coal mining in America, Conroy's home town of Moberly, Missouri, and Conroy's earlier work, including "The Disinherited" (1933).

Discussing the debate over the site of the new Chicago Public Library with poet Jim Fuerst and Terry Brunner, Executive Director of the Better Government Association.

Michael Frayn reads from his book "At Bay in Gear Street" and how he approaches writing. Oliver Howes, a livery driver, talks about music, his middle class background, and his work;part 1.

Commemorating the centennial of the Haymarket Square Riot, or Haymarket Affair, are authors and historians Bill Adelman, Paul Avrich, Carolyn Ashbaugh, and the grandson of Haymarket defendant Oscar Neebe, Bill Neebe. The interveiwees create a timeline of the events leading up to the Haymarket Riot including the German immigrants living situations, unions and strikes, police brutality and corruption. The group also lays out the events from May 1st to May 5th and then the following corrupt trials.

The New York City firefighter and writer reads from his book, The Final Fire, and discusses his two careers.  Includes a clip of an interview with Brooklyn firefighter Tommy Gates.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Jane Stern discusses her book, Trucker: A Portrait of the Last American Cowboy, and the life, culture, and myths of truck drivers. The program includes an excerpt from an interview with a truck driver named Paul Deitch.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations