Discussing past and present trends in American writing and interviewing distinguished American literary critic Malcolm Cowley.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The long-time media critic talks with Studs about his novel, An Affair of Strangers.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Jack Conroy remembers having a literary interest at the age of eight. He reflects on life back in the 1930s, when writers were writing against the system. In later years, he says, writers didn't seem to know what to rebel against.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The writer and public intellectual discusses his recent publications, Myron: A Novel, and, Burr, an historical novel about Founding Father, Aaron Burr.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The writer sits down with Studs to discuss his most recent book, The Fight - about the heavyweight championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The New York City firefighter and writer reads from his book, The Final Fire, and discusses his two careers.  Includes a clip of an interview with Brooklyn firefighter Tommy Gates.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The New York Times correspondent in Moscow discusses and reads from his novel, The Gates of Hell. The book closely mirrors the life of Russian novelist and Soviet dissident Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The novelist, short story writer, and poet, in town for a reading at Evanston's Amazingrace Coffeehouse, shares with Studs some of the early life experiences that inspired his writing.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The celebrated author of The Ginger Man joins Studs to share some of the inspirations for his latest book, The Unexpurgated Code: A Complete Manual of Survival & Manners.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

As founder of the watchdog group, Common Cause, and as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) under President Lyndon Johnson, Gardner was a strong advocate for citizen participation and service. Here, he emphasizes the need to fight back against the widespread apathy of the times.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations