In Mary Lynn Kotz's book, "Rauschenberg, Art and Life," Kotz recounts the works and story of 20th century art pioneer Robert Rauschenberg. They survey his career beginning in Port Arthur, TX, discussing his Depression-era upbringing which caused him to reuse and salvage virtually any object and transform it into art, his studies in Paris, made possible by the G.I.

Geoffrey Bridson and his wife Joyce, discuss his book "Prospero and Ariel: The rise and fall of radio a personal recollection.", as well as his life and career as a producer/broadcaster for BBC radio. The interview is interspersed with several excerpts from recordings: Excerpt of conversation at the home of Bridsons in England 1962. He talks about the play "Aarons field" and the sequel "Aarons Fallout shelter". Excerpt from Joyce Bridson backstage after the play "Oh what a lovely war" in New York.

Discussing the book "Leadership, love and aggression. As the twig is bent: the psychological factors in the making of four black leaders - Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. Du Bois, Richard Wright and Martin Luther King Jr." with the anthropologist-author Allison Davis.

Discussing "Dossier : the Secret Files They Keep on You" and interviewing the author Aryeh Neier.

Discussing "How the Good Guys Finally Won : Notes from an Impeachment Summer" and interviewing Jimmy Breslin.

Sandra Lieb discusses the book "Mother of the Blues: A Study of Ma Rainey." Includes songs sung by Ma Rainey such as "Runaway Blues," "See See Rider," "Moonshine Blues," and "Oh, Papa Blues." Includes poem "Ma Rainey" by Sterling Brown. Includes "Oh, Daddy," by Ethel Waters. Includes "Young Woman's Blues" by Bessie Smith.

What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

Discussing the book "A Second Look In the Rear-View Mirror: Further Autobiographical Reflections of a Philosopher at Large" (published by Macmillan) with the author Mortimer Adler. Program includes an excerpt of a September 21, 1959 interview with Robert Hutchins.

Terkel comments and presents musical performance of Shakespeare tapestry

Terkel comments and presents musical performance of Shakespeare tapestry