Aileen and Eugene Smith discuss their photographic essay book, "'Minamata', Words and Photographs," documenting the mercury poisoning of residents and their legal battles with the polluting company Chisso.

Studs Terkel and Allen Ginsberg talk about poetry, meditation, and the shifting of American socio-political consciousness between the 50's and 70's.

"Where the Steel Winds Blow" is Robert Cromie's anthology of 210 war poems. With his book, Cromie wanted to point out the impact of war. There are also war-related songs throughout the program.

In an interview with Studs Terkel, Buddhist monk, peace activist, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh. The conversation focuses on the devastating effects of the Vietnam War; they discuss the loss of culture and poetry in Vietnam, the anti-war protestors in America and Vietnam, and the sadness and resignation of the Vietnamese. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about America’s role in the war, and his experiences campaigning for peace in the United States and speaking with U.S. anti-war veterans.

Discussing the opera "Hydrogen Jukebox," with poet Allen Ginsberg and composer Philip Glass.

The poet and human rights activist joins Studs to discuss Amnesty International, her book of poetry (Thieves' Afternoon), and the works of South African writers Dennis Brutus and Breyten Breytenbach. The program opens with a reading of poetry by the Filipina activist Charito Planas.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations