What began as a show on the political world at large and the insanity on the campuses (campi?) of American colleges quickly turned into a discussion of the events in Paris, again, following the attacks on a concert venue and other locations Friday evening last. Charles Lipson of the University of Chicago and Richard Baehr, both members of our Political A-Team, were with us on all topics. Also joining was Michael Barone, Fox News contributor and Washington Examiner political correspondent. This is a topic we will cover in depth over the coming days.

When most people hear the name of the town Salem they immediately think, Witches! To be sure, that is the legacy of Salem in the minds of the masses. But beyond the wrongful execution of some young women for practicing witchcraft and sorcery, most people know nothing.

Stacy Schiff is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and a master storyteller. She has turned her attentions to Salem, 1692 to bring to life the real people behind the legend and to investigate how hysteria gripped a town and a nation. Not only were women the focus of the investigations--an inquisition, really--but there were men also. Families turned their backs on each other. Educated people left their senses--certain the devil was at work--and became complicit in murder.

The Wtiches: Salem, 1692 is a certain bestseller and a welcome inquiry into a story and a time that have had, unfortunately, only the most rudimentary understanding in American history.

With too many quotes to possibly pick one that would sum up his greatness, we wont try. Instead we present this delightful talk on Mark Twain, his work, his legacy, his wit and his wisdom with two local professors who have studied Twain in depth. Larry Howe teaches Twain in his English courses at Roosevelt University and has also written a book about him, and Loren Ghiglione of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern even traveled Twains routes of several books. He documented the journey on a website that expresses his affection for Mark Twain while recounting that trip he took along with two students.

A bonus here are some readings that most people wont have heard from selections most dont know. They show you just how creative Twain was and how he was never off his game.

Theres much going on in the world at the moment, and instead of bringing you a themed show, we thought wed look to those whose writings on it we admire. And, of course, a little music.

First up to join is Bret Stephens, the Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign-affairs columnist at the Wall Street Journal. His latest book, America in Retreat, has been quite influential. He and Milt talk about The Tyranny of a Big Idea.

Edward Klein has been keeping up with Hillary Clinton, and writes about the many scandals beyond Benghazi and a private email server. His newest book is Unlikable, about the sure-to-be Democrat candidate in 2016.

Finally, Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA man and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, examines the oft-employed diplomatic tool of soft power. When does it work, when does it fail and, more important, how is it failing us in the Middle East at present? His fine contribution to the Weekly Standard titled Victory without Soldiers is a scathing review of how we engage with militant jihadists.

By most accounts, the third GOP debate was a circus which strangely pitted the Republican candidates banding together to fend off their foes--not the Democrats, but rather their moderators from CNBC.

To shed light on the proceedings--if there was any of political value--we turn to a fine panel. In studio, Richard Baehr and Ed Lasky of American Thinker, Larry Sabato of the Center for Politics and Sabatos Crystal Ball, and Jonathan Last and Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard.

Sometimes there are too many moving parts to a program and we need to digress and decompress. Philosophy is a vast field, with limitless options for study and discussion. One person with whom weve been meaning to sit down with is Dr. Sanford Goldberg, the Chairperson of Philosophy at Northwestern. So at first opportunity, we brought him in to journey through the minds and writings of some of Philosophys greatest. From Aristotle to Bullsh*t, comedians to film directors, theres much of the stuff of life and thought.

Its no secret that Russia is and has always been a propaganda state. Their efforts to control information and influence public opinion at home and abroad are are aggressive and extensive. But Putins Russia has a greater goal: to control the internet--the greatest tool in bringing about a total surveillance state.

But theres another side to Big Comrade. Its a legion of brilliant programmers and hackers who serve as a counterbalance to Putins goal of totalitarianism. Its an epic struggle waged not with guns and bombs, but with mouse clicks and websites, disinformation, misinformation and leaks.

Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov are in a tenuous position. They are journalists in a nation where there really is no clear delineation between freedom of the press and when its better for your health to stop looking. Despite that uncertainty, they have investigated this fascinating interplay of technology, intelligence, commerce and freedom in brilliant style. Heres their story: The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russias Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries. Follow their work in Russian or in English here.

What a week its been in the political world. Hillary Clinton was back on the Hill again testifying about Benghazi. U.S. troops engaged in the Middle East. Assad visited Putin in Moscow. Putins troops continued their assault on ISIS. A wave of terror and retaliation once again grips Israel. Joe Biden dropped out of the race for the American presidency. And there was much more.

To help us make sense of all of this we turned to Art Cyr of Carthage College, Karen DeYoung of the Washington Post, Daniel Halper of the Weekly Standard, and Michael Barone of the Washington Examiner. What a week it was, and what happened will surely lead to more reasons for ongoing discussion.

8 Men Out. Shoeless Joe Jackson. Even the most casual baseball fan will know a bit about the 1919 Chicago White Sox--or Black Sox*. But what is the true story behind the scandal? As we all know, Hollywood often takes liberties with the facts when producing a feature length film. And how did that World Series give birth to the game as we know it today? Charles Fountain has delved deep into the history and offers this fascinating account of the gambling ring that destroyed the players who participated--and maybe some who didnt--and sheds light on that heroic figure, Joe Jackson.

*listen for the real reason the Sox were called The Black Sox. Its not what you think...

Somehow the French became the butt of jokes for decades in this country. But the truth is, there would hardly be an America as we know it if it werent for French thought and, considering the Marquis de Lafayette, a healthy portion of French might.

So as the France many of us loves prepares to be transformed forever with yet another influx of immigrants (and further outmigration of Jews--a tragedy for another day), we thought we should look back at the great philosophers and minds that helped shape our ideas of freedom, individuality, equality, and fraternity, not to mention film, music, love and lovers, and food!

Joining in studio are philosophy professor Rick Lee of DePaul and political science professor Marina Henke of Northwestern.

If you dont think youre a Francophile, start with the coming phrase. Perhaps you truly do appreciate the French outlook on life and just dont know it yet:

 Mangez bien, rire souvent, aiment beaucoup!

(you can translate that...here)