Good Day!: The Paul Harvey Story [Hardcover]

Paul J. Batura (Author), Mike Huckabee (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2009

Good Day!, the critically-acclaimed biography about the legendary Paul Harvey, is now in paperback! In this heartwarming book, author Paul J. Batura tells the all-American story of one of the best-known radio voices in history. From his humble beginnings to his unparalleled career of more than 50 years with ABC radio, Paul Harvey narrated America's story day by day, through wars and peace, through the threat of communism and the crumbling of old colonial powers, through consumer booms and eventual busts. In Good Day!, you'll follow,

* How he became "Paul Harvey"
* The remarkable adversity he confronted in his early years
* How he revolutionized the radio industry with his wife, Evelyn
* How a president wanted to "roast" him "good"
* How he was nearly jailed for pursuing a scoop

Uplifting and inspirational, Good Day! is a colorful biography of the radio pioneer-turned-legend whose guiding light saw the country through dark times. Whether he was covering racial tensions, terrorist attacks, or which vitamins to take, Paul Harvey articulated the American experience for average people making their way in a world too large for quick comprehension. Harvey brought them that world "in dime store words," with a sense of optimism and faith, and with a deep love for America. Here is Harvey's story, the rest of the story, as he would tell it himself.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Hello Americans, I'm Paul Harvey."

He was the voice of an era. Millions grew up listening to Paul Harvey News and Comment and The Rest of the Story, and trusted the great man who spoke for the little guy.

Good Day! by Paul J. Batura follows the remarkable life of one of the founding fathers of the news media. Paul Harvey started his career during the Great Depression and narrated America's story day by day, through wars and peace, the threat of communism and the crumbling of old colonial powers, consumer booms and eventual busts. In Good Day!, you'll follow,

* How he became "Paul Harvey"
* The remarkable adversity he confronted in his early years
* How he revolutionized the radio industry with his wife, Evelyn
* How a president wanted to "roast" him "good"
* How he was nearly jailed for pursuing a scoop

Paul J. Batura's Good Day! is a colorful biography of the radio pioneer-turned-legend whose guiding light saw the country through dark times. Whether he was covering racial tensions, terrorist attacks, or which vitamins to take, Paul Harvey articulated the American experience for average people making their way in a world too large for quick comprehension. Harvey brought them that world "in dime store words," with a sense of optimism and faith, and with a deep love for America. Here is Harvey's story, the rest of the story, as he would tell it himself.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Good Day!

"Paul Harvey: a voice of reason, a voice of common sense, an eloquent spokesman for the America and the Americans he loved. Open this book and read `the rest of the story.'"
--Ben Stein, author, actor, economist, and journalist

"Beyond the story of a life well-lived, Good Day! captures the essence of this late radio pioneer. Mr. Harvey embodied our common American ideals."
--Mike Huckabee, FOX News political commentator and former governor of Arkansas

"Paul Harvey had a voice and a broadcast you didn't want to turn off. Paul Batura has a book you won't want to put down. And like Harvey's news and comment, you don't want it to end."
--Dan Vallie, director of the Kellar Radio Talent Institute, Appalachian State University

"Tens of millions of Americans got to `know' Paul Harvey though they had never met or even corresponded, and the standard he established for news with personality will endure as one serious broadcast journalists will aspire to."
--Hugh Hewitt, host of the "Hugh Hewitt Show" and Executive Editor of Townhall.com

"Harvey's legacy couldn't be in more capable hands."
--Dr. James Dobson, bestselling author, National Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster, and founder of Focus on the Family

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 291 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing; 1st edition (May 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596981016
• ISBN-13: 978-1596981010
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Radio > History & Criticism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Harvey May 18, 2009

By Denzil Minyard

Format:Hardcover

I was so glad to see this new book. I am 66 years of age and listened to Paul Harvey every day. His broadcast came on at noon. He was truly one of a kind and was a credit to broadcast journalism. He was head and shoulders above many of the best commentators of today. He not only talked about integrity in our personal lives, he was a walking example of faith, humility, and integrity. God bless his memory.
I found it sad (I was not surprised) that the media outlets, print and television, said very little about his death. I found one small article buried in the front section in the Baltimore Sun. I suppose today's leftist media didn't want to be bothered with writing tributes to such a man.
This book will help to keep the memory of Paul Harvey fresh in our hearts and minds. What a man!!!!!!!!!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Day! Like you were apart of Pauls Havey's Life May 18, 2009

By Patrick R. Hall

Format:Hardcover

This books takes you right into the life of Paul Harvey. The colorful writing of Paul Batura pulls you in and makes you feel like you were experiencing the times right with Paul Harvey.

I highly recommend this book to you and your family.

You will not put this book down.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't put it down May 19, 2009

By D. Bervig

Format:Hardcover

While growing up, the majority of my time at the breakfast table was spent listening to Paul Harvey. I remember my imagination painting a picture of what he must look like. As I grew up, I began to wonder who he really was. Finally, I have answers to my questions. This book opened the door to a man's life I ate breakfast with every day but never knew. I couldn't put it down. Not only did I learn who Paul Harvey was, I learned a tremendous amount about the history of radio. I became nostalgic for days I never lived. Batura's writing allowed me to become connected to a generation I admire and love. Anyone who reads this book won't want it to end.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Life Story of Legendary Broadcaster June 9, 2009

By Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

Format:Hardcover

At age 82, Paul Harvey signed a ten-year contract with ABC for $10 million per year. When he died in 2008 at age 90, he had completed eight of those years. Sounds like a plush, easy life, don't you think?

This book, though, takes you behind the scenes to learn what Paul Harvey would have termed "the rest of the story." Consider these little known facts:

*He grew up in very modest circumstances, especially after his policeman father died after being shot by car thieves. Paul was three years old.

*His early opportunities with the microphone took him to Salina, Kansas, and Missoula, Montana, with nothing there resembling Chicago's "Miracle Mile" that would become so familiar to him years later.

*His station owner in Missoula told Paul, "You have a silly and funny sounding voice. Honestly, you're never going to make it in the news business. You don't have a believable sound for news. It's distracting. People won't trust it." Following those words, the manager fired Paul Harvey, who declined a sales position offer.

*A Kalamazoo, Michigan station manager disliked Paul Harvey's on-air vocal pauses. The manager thought Harvey was simply wasting valuable time. After listening politely, Paul agreed to "shorten but not entirely eliminate the tactic." Eventually, many millions of Paul Harvey's listeners would recognize his trademark pauses, and stand by patiently until the next intriguing words came.

The book tells, too, about his lifelong romance with his wife, called "Angel" in his hundreds of broadcast references to her. She became a valuable personal and professional teammate--reflecting convincingly that few people make it to top echelons without solid family dedication....

This book merits the bestseller status it is destined to achieve.

The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life! Read more ›

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful read! May 22, 2009

By Scott J. Carmack

Format:Hardcover

Paul Batura ushered me into the life of a great storyteller who I spent hours with as a young man working in the wheat fields of western Oklahoma. Paul Harvey's commentaries were the topic of conversation at dinner for me and my grandfather. This book stirred up so many great memories for me. For years I wondered and imagined who the man was behind that great voice and fascinating story. Now, thanks to the author's exceptional research and skill, I know the rest of the story. This is truly a book that I didn't want to end. Thank you to Paul Batura for giving us this great read.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rest of the Story...Finally! May 15, 2009

By E-Cowboy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

At long last, Paul Harvey's story is told. If the thought of a thoroughly biographical story makes you think dry, dull, and arduous, you're in for a pleasant surprise with this one. In telling Harvey's life story, Paul Batura skillfully blends historical information and little known elements to Harvey's life with engaging storytelling. All of this results in a delightfully engaging read.

Starting with a brief reflection from Harvey's funeral in February 2009, the book rolls through Harvey's colorful life, highlighting accomplishments, challenges, milestones, and the occasional mysterious element to the radio legend's life. There's even a brief section at the end of the book that includes tributes to Harvey from such notables as: Gil Gross, Hugh Hewitt, Philip Gulley, etc.

All in all, this is a fantastic book and highly recommended. It's wonderful insight into the life of an American radio giant.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Day my fellow Americans! June 1, 2009

By Cliff Ball

Format:Hardcover

I grew up listening to Paul Harvey(I'm 35). When I was a kid, my dad would tune the radio to whatever station had Harvey on while he was taking mom to college, my brother and I to school, and he went to work. I always found Harveys' voice interesting and I always paid attention to everything he said, he always sounded interested in the topic and not bored with what he was talking about. The radio station I currently listen to(KLUR 99.9FM Wichita Falls) started carrying him three or so years ago, so I either heard "News and Comment" going to work or "Rest of the Story" in the late afternoon when I worked late. Having Huckabee replace him just isn't the same!

On with the book. I didn't realize Harvey did so much stuff in his life, that he and his wife were radio pioneers. This book kept me hooked and I enjoyed reading it. Harvey was the precursor to the conservative radio hosts we have today, but he wasn't in your face about it, and he didn't try to get into trouble, and wasn't divisive. I found the whole incident with the nuclear lab facility interesting because that doesn't sound like the Harvey I thought I knew. I find it amazing that he enjoyed his job even after 76 years, good to know some are doing what they love. I enjoyed reading about his adventures, how he missed Pearl Harbor by 2 days, had an amazing marriage, and his travels from city to city. Overall, a good book!

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author of Don't Mess With Earth