Explores the Great Books mania, in an entertaining and strangely poignant portrait of American popular culture on the threshold of the television age.

The headwaters -- The odd couple -- The Great Books in the gray city -- Great Books good for you! -- The making of the books -- Faster, pussycat! Sell! Sell! -- Second verse not the same as the first -- The people of the book -- Epictetus at the cash register: Chicago and Columbia -- Hard core: St. John's College -- Among the bookies -- Dead books walking.