Historical Dictionary of American Radio [Hardcover]

Donald G. Godfrey (Editor), Frederic A. Leigh (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313296367 | ISBN-13: 978-0313296369 | Publication Date: May 30, 1998

A comprehensive resource of American radio history including over 100 authors and covering over 600 different topics, fully cross-referenced and indexed. Entries are arranged alphabetically and written by some of the leading scholars including Erik Barnouw, Louisa Benjamin, Ronald Caray, Kenneth Harwood, Michael Kitross, Larry Lichty, Christopher Sterling, Kyu Ho Youm, Robert Avery, Marvin Bensman, Michael D. Murray, and others of the discipline. Each entry also contains references for further study as well as internet source materials. An Introduction and Radio Chronology provide the historical framework for the topics. This dictionary will be of interest to students and scholars interested in radio, television, communications, communications history, and electronic media. It will also be of interest to professionals in the field. As a library source it will be a welcome addition to academic, professional, as well as public library collections.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

More than a dictionary, this work builds on a wealth of historical information about radio in America. The introduction by the editors, both faculty members at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication at Arizona State University, is valuable reading, bringing together historical highlights and pointing to radio's future in the next century. The chronology that follows stretches from 1837 (Morse's application for a patent on a telegraph system) to 1997 (FCC approves satellite radio systems). Alphabetically arranged, signed entries are written by scholars in the field. Each entry features a brief bibliography, and an extensive bibliography follows the text. Internet sites are included in many of the bibliographies appended to individual articles. A detailed index offers a useful key to the contents.

Students will be able to use this work for quick lookup on hundreds of topics, such as the end of cigarette advertising and how an important piece of legislation, the Radio Act of 1912, came about as a result of the sinking of the Titanic. The dictionary treats radio personalities, performers, musicians, inventors, executives, and "key figures in front of and behind the microphones." Also included are characters, programs, series, key historical radio stations by call letters, networks, and special programming for specific audiences, such as the entries Native-American radio and Hispanic listeners and radio markets. Other entries examine the ways the airwaves have been used by politicians and statesmen, such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The importance of radio before television came into existence is outlined in entries such as Hindenburg crash coverage. There are entries on all types of music, especially numerous subgenres of rock.

Extremely technical terms are left to other types of dictionaries, but many terms and phrases unique to radio are included--for example, spot rate and Internet radio. The length of entries runs from one paragraph to three pages. Key issues, such as censorship and indecency, are covered, along with the roles of big-name companies such as AT & T, General Electric, and Westinghouse. An entry on digital audio broadcasting demonstrates the work's currency. The editors have laudably managed consistent, high-quality entries by almost 100 authors. There are no comparable dictionaries. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.

Review

“...authoritative and interesting; useful to students in broadcasting/telecommunication courses.”–Choice

“...the editors recruited a panel of experts and constructed a list of topics in a relatively short time frame. The result is a work that is up to date as of late 1997, a remarkable feat in itself. In addition, the listings have a consistently concise, informative, and readable style that indicates editorial expertise and diligence. Although brief, each listing stands on its own as an authoritative precis of the subject.”–Journal of Radio Studies

“...well-reseached, comprehensive....concise, clear....notable for [its] atttention to detail and [its] scholarly approach to this burgeoning area of study.”–College & Research Libraries

“[N]othing has appeared yet that comes even close to what this reference volume does for American radio and its history....It can be enjoyably read through from cover to cover. Historical Dictionary of American Radio is enthusiastically recommended by this reviewer. It will see years of use as a starting point for researchers, librarians, radio historians and the general public.”–Oscillator

“[B]oth new and experienced researchers will find at least start-up material on almost any historical aspect of radio they can imagine--and even some you might not expect....Reading this through is like visiting old friends (for those of us old enough to remember!), or meeting new ones. There are dozens of references to useful websites--making this historical reference very much up to date in what it offers.”–Communication Booknotes Quarterly

“Students, scholars and professionals will find this book of utmost use as it touches on almost every subject within the topic of radio. Present[ing] in clear style, recruited coordinators...provide historical and factual prose on radio in a concise and direct manner....[O]verall the timely work is most complete for both the researcher and novice alike.”–BEA Feedback

“More than a dictionary, this work builds on a wealth of historical information about radio in America....The editors have laudably managed consistent, high-quality entries by almost 100 authors. There are no comparable dictionaries. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

“....provides a thorough documentary reference to individuals, programming and technology alike.”–Midwest Book Review

“...a remarkable feat in itself....the listings have a consistently concise, informative and readable style that implies editorial expertise and diligence were applied to this project.”–Radio World

“[A]nyone who studies radio will find the book a valuable reference tool, one that is likely to be pulled off the shelf quite often....Godfrey and Leigh are to be commended for marshaling such a voluminous amount of data. Historical Dictionary of American Radio is a worthy--and perhaps crucial--addition to any media historian's reference collection.”–Journalism History

“I'd recommend this book just for its introduction. In 12 pages, the editors have put together an excellent, concise history of radio, one of the best I have encountered anywhere. But what makes this book the perfect reference is that it doesn't really limit itself to any area of radio. The result is an informative, entertaining "dictionary" with listings of information about industry pioneers, stars, trends, formats, programs, scandals and technical aspects. The Historical Dictionary of American Radio is a great source for anyone wanting to know a little bit about almost everything in radio.”–St. Louis Journalism Review

“[N]otable for...attention to detail and...scholarly approach.”–College and Research Libraries

“Combining in one volume the many influences on and aspects of radio, this [is a] useful, needed volume.”–Rettig on Reference

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 520 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (May 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313296367
• ISBN-13: 978-0313296369
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,017,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)