In the first volume of this continuing series of interviews with the great writers of our time, Alex Haley talks about the genesis of Roots and how it changed his life, Christopher Isherwood discusses writing as autobiography and the persecution of homosexuals in modem society, Jessica Mitford expounds on The American Way of Death, Richard Armour delineates the nature of humor and humorous writing, and Robert Anton Wilson talks about Illuminatus! and writing as hedonic-controlled schizophrenia.

Jeffrey M. Elliot (1948 - 2010) was professor of political science specializing in American politics and government, international relations, and civil rights and civil liberties. He is also known for a series of “Conversations with” a variety of writers.