Studs Terkel discusses literature, Judaism, and the Holocaust with the novelist, poet, journalist, and teacher Richard M. Elman (1934-1997). Their discussion revolves around Elman's recently published work of historical fiction, "The 28th Day of Elul", much of which takes place in the village of Clig, Hungary, during the time of the Nazi occupation of Hungary during World War II. Topics include Jewish identity, The Holocaust, persecution of The Jews, feelings of guilt and social prejudice among Holocaust survivors.

A hostage negotiator for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Waite was himself taken hostage in Lebanon in 1987 and held for 1,760 days.

Bob and Joan Ericksen, both educators, artists, and environmental ecologists, discuss the literary work of Peter Weiss' "I Come Out of My Hiding Place" and environmental ecology. Excerpt of Peter Weiss reading from "I Come Out of My Hiding Place." The book speaks of why he writes and why he pursues his art (unknown source). The interview ends with a reading by Studs of an excerpt fro, Gustav Meyrink's "The Green Face."

When asked, Jen Kruuse said he wrote his book, “A War for an Afternoon,” as a result of life being madness. As a morale booster, to make the men of the SS army feel invincible, they were ordered to exterminate the town of Oradour-sur-Glane, France. The women and children of the town were rounded up, placed in the town’s church and the church was burned. All the men of the town were shot dead. The entire incident, explained Kruuse, was madness, pure madness.

Jules Dassin and Melina Mercouri discuss Greece. Includes an interview with Irene Papas. Includes an interview with Nikos Gounaris. Includes Greek song sung by Melina Mercouri. Includes song ["Kamos"] by the composer [Dirocus]. Includes the song "Women of Souli." Includes song "Mitros and Mirina."

British historian and writer Basil Davidson discusses Africa and his book "Lost Cities of Africa." Part 1. Part two of this recording also features Anne Graham Bell and Tony Mott discussing London's youth while Studs was in England. They are not included here, in part 1.

The Israeli Army is the backbone of Israel and refusing to serve is something worse than taboo, according to Stephen Langfur's "Confessions from a Jericho Jail: What Happened When I Refused to Fight the Palestinians". While sentenced to jail for 21 days, he witnessed guards deprive prisoners of water, and he questioned what had made these Israeli guards become so inhumane.

In making this film, Lanzmann interviewed death-camp survivors and Nazi functionaries.