Laura Fermi discusses Benito Mussolini. Includes Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from Laura Fermi's book "Mussolini" at the beginning [removed due to copyright]. Includes instrumental music [removed due to copyright].

Jonathan Spence, author and Yale University history professor, talks about his book "God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan." He discusses Hong Xiuquan who believed himself to be the son of God. Spence begins his interview explores how Christianity came to China and how Hong came into contact with its teachings. He explains Hong's belief that the Qing dynasty was an enemy government that needed to be overthrown which led to the Taiping Rebellion.

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.

Dr. Carlo Levi talks about his book "Christ Stopped at Eboli", the human condition, and compassion for those suffering during and after World War 2.

Dr. Carlo Levi talks about the differences in Italian and American literature in the first part. In the second part, children Julio and Phillipo sing Italian nursery rhymes. In the last part, Maria Caniglia and husband Pino Donati discuss opera; part 2.

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.

An interview with Maria Kuncewicz about her book of fiction, "Don Quixote and the Nannies" and how this book reflects her travels to Spain and her personal observations, memories, and experiences. The story reflects the freedom and beauty that people want today post WWII. Kuncewicz tells her experience as a child with nannies and a particular event that helped inspire her writing. She speaks about authority and author, Miquel de Cervantes. Kuncewicz also talks about the people of Spain and how they reflect different Don Quixote characters.

The Australian-born American historian and China scholar discusses his book, Mao: A Biography.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The political scientist and China specialist joins Studs to discuss his book, China In Our Time: The Epic Saga of the People's Republic, from the Communist Victory to Tiananmen Square and Beyond.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and historian discusses her book, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, and its historical background.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations