The comedic creative force of Lily Tomlin and comedy writer Jane Wagner discuss the character of Edith Ann as well as the bag lady, Trudy, upon the release of their book "Edith Ann: My Life So Far".* Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations. 

In the of first of many appearances on Studs' radio show, Oliver Sacks discusses his book "Awakenings" and recounts several patient profiles from his groundbreaking treatment application of L-DOPA to sufferers of Sleeping sickness and Parkinson's disease. They explore his work in the context of Studs' concept of Feeling Tone and Sacks tells of a remarkable scene with aphasic patients reacting to a speech of then President Ronald Reagan.

Visiting Professor of History at the University of Chicago Denis Mack Smith discusses the book “Italy: Modern History.” Smith primarily focuses this discussion on the political history of Italy.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Kay Boyle is the co-author of "Being Geniuses Together". The book is a memoir of her time spent in Paris and of her background, including her life with her mother when she was younger.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "Any Place But Here" and interviewing the authors Arna Bontemps and Jack Conroy.Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, or offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.

The game of baseball today is very different from when Bill Leonard was a young boy. Today, the last names of baseball players are on the backs of their uniforms. When Leonard was a boy, his father would tell him who was up to bat solely by the player's walk or his stance. The selling of players' contracts to other teams is when Leonard believes the business of baseball changed. This recording includes snippets of author Lawrence Ritter's interviews with early 20th century ballplayers Sam Crawford, Goose Goslin, Fred Snodgrass, Rube Marquard, and Chief Meyers.

Although he was not a historian, Robert Bendiner said he believed he could provide accounts of events through a journalist's eyes with his book "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties". It was a depressing time, recalls Bendiner, a time he hopes no one has to experience again. Businesses needed people to buy goods but there wasn't enough money for people to buy food let alone goods and materials. Bendiner recalls Riverside Drive was once affluent and picturesque. The view then turned to one full of Hooverville shacks.

In Robert Bendiner's book, "Just Around the Corner: A Highly Selective History of the Thirties," Bendiner covered Herbert Hoover's ineptness and Franklin Roosevelt's heroism. Bendiner also remembers vividly the moment when Huey Long did a jig on the Senate floor. Long further explained that the New Deal had to happen because it was what all the people, of both parties needed.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Nicolai Malko was a Russian-born American symphonic conductor, who wrote the book, "A Certain Art." According to George Malko, his father's technique in conducting orchestras had nothing to do with showmanship but rather the senior Malko was more concerned with giving his audiences a theatrical experience by conveying the music at hand.

Political science professor and author Russell Barrett discusses and reads excerpts from his book, “Integration at Ole Miss.” He examines the legal challenges, apathy, and aggression that contributed to the build up of racial tensions leading to the enrollment of the University of Mississippi’s first black student — James Meredith — and the resulting riots and violence. Includes a recording of the Chad Mitchell Trio singing "Alma Mater (About Ole Miss)."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations