James and Ann Harper join Studs Terkel to discuss their personal stories and the work of their social center called Save the Alcoholic, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. James discusses his struggle with alcoholism and how his experiences influence the mission of Save the Alcoholic. Ann says its often hard to work with “Skid row alcoholics,” but ultimately, they both believe it’s important to help those who are alienated by society, despite their frustrations.

This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.

Commemorating the centennial of the Haymarket Square Riot, or Haymarket Affair, are authors and historians Bill Adelman, Paul Avrich, Carolyn Ashbaugh, and the grandson of Haymarket defendant Oscar Neebe, Bill Neebe. The interveiwees create a timeline of the events leading up to the Haymarket Riot including the German immigrants living situations, unions and strikes, police brutality and corruption. The group also lays out the events from May 1st to May 5th and then the following corrupt trials.

This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.

Bob Koester, record producer and owner of Delmark Records, the United State's oldest independent jazz and blues label, talks about jazz, blues, and bebop musicians.

Discussing the book "Charlie boy" with Peter Feibleman.

Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and talks about some Civil War music. He also discusses the reasoning behind the Civil War and some of the key figures during that time and how many songs came to be written about the battles and leaders.

Historian James McPherson discusses the his book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." McPerson explores the American Civil War and introduces some Civil War music. He talks about black soldiers, photography, and reconstruction. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language.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.

Jonathan Spence, author and Yale University history professor, talks about his book "God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan." He discusses Hong Xiuquan who believed himself to be the son of God. Spence begins his interview explores how Christianity came to China and how Hong came into contact with its teachings. He explains Hong's belief that the Qing dynasty was an enemy government that needed to be overthrown which led to the Taiping Rebellion.

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.