Studs Terkel and Jerzy Kosinski express their own views on the morality of protagonist George Levanter from Blind Date. Terkel sees him as a vigilante whereas Kosinski sees him as a responsible social reformer. Kosinski states that ethics are viewed differently by Europeans based upon their history of invasions and betrayal which lends itself to an individual code of ethics as exemplified by George Levanter.

Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. 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. Almost all the characters in Robert Kotlowitz's book, "The Boardwalk" are fictitious with the exception of Teddy, a Jewish, 14-year-old boy, who Kotlowitz explains is Robert Kotlowitz.

The English writer discusses her semi-autobiographical novel, The Long Way Home (Keepers of the House), loosely based on some of her life experiences, having been married to a Venezuelan man and having lived and worked on a farm.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Jonathan Miller discusses Shakespeare. Includes Feste's song "Hey, ho, the Wind and Rain" sung by Alfred Deller. Includes a clip from Jonathan Miller as Bertrand Russell.

A discussion about the book, "House Made of Dawn," awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969. N. Scott Momaday reads from his book.

Jean Auel discusses her novel, "The Clan of the Cave Bear," including the anthropological research that informed her writing, feminism in her main character, Ayla, and the book's themes of cooperation, adaptation, tribal memory, and reverence for life. Includes excerpts from the book and recordings of pygmy music made by anthropologist Colin Turnbull.

Rutherford Calhoun is the main character of Charles Richard Johnson's novel, "Middle Passage." In his quest to get away from his marriage and a bill collector, a freed slave himself, Rutherford stows away onto a ship not realizing that the cargo being carried are slaves from Africa.

Angelou discusses: her early life; her international travels; dancing; blues and jazz music; and the book "Youngblood" by John Oliver Killens. In this program "In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)" and "Joe Turner No. 2 (Blues of 1892)" by Big Bill Broonzy, "I Ain't Gonna Pick No More Cotton" by Sam Lightnin' Hopkins is played, as well as other musical selections.

The journalist and writer discusses Heartburn, her first novel, which, according to Terkel, is best read out loud. He and Ephron take turns readings their favorite passages and analyzing the characters. The novel was later made into a film of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The American-Israeli novelist and journalist joins Studs to talk about justice and beauty in the mythical New York City that is the setting for his novel, Winter's Tale.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations