This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Richard Powell, author most recently of "I Take this Land," discusses women. He speaks of the two archetypes in the masculine mind: the 'femme fatale' and the 'little woman.' These, he notes, do not really exist. He goes on to discuss feminine idea of women - an unappreciated creature struggling through life - which he also deems inaccurate. This leads to a comparison of the sexes, which places women as the better sex. He uses the Greek gods and Biblical stories and folklore to illustrate these points.

His satirical speech argues that this is a "woman's world" after all, arguing that it was woman that developed agriculture and held the understanding of how babies were created. He says, that while women lost power when they lost this mystique they gained the power of wives. If women ever decided to move into the work force in large number they would take over.

Next, Walter Slezak, discusses his autobiography "What Time's the Next Swan?" An actor, Slezak gives a comedic speech about how he came to write his book. He notes that writers have much more dignity than actors, mentioning his role in "Bedtime for Bonzo." He compares the reviews process for actors vs. writers.

Historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., author of "The Age of Jackson" and "The Age of Roosevelt" speaks about the role of the historian.


For more on Schlesinger please see: http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/neh-preservation-project/2012/dec/19/arthur-schlesinger-jr/

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 70965
Municipal archives id: LT9508