Serling: The Rise and Twilight of Television's Last Angry Man (1st Edition) [Hardcover]

Gordon F. Sander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1992

A biography of the creator of The Twilight Zone draws on interviews with more than two hundred of Serling's family and friends to trace his rise from scriptwriter at a college radio station to TV's ""golden boy."" National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Rod Serling (1924-1975) is considered one of the stalwarts of television's so-called Golden Age (roughly 1951-1957), along with Paddy Chayevsky, Reginald Rose and Tad Mosel. He wrote scripts for such prestigious drama programs as Studio One and Kraft Television Theatre in the days when the industry was based in New York City, and he won three Emmys. He became the chief writer, producer and then the on-screen MC for The 7Yvilight Zone, which ran for five seasons until it was canceled by a management made uncomfortable by Serling's propensity for tackling controversial subjects. (The show has become a classic in syndication.) Serling subsequently wrote scripts for two less successful series, The Loner and Night Gallery, and made commercials. A Marymount Manhattan College professor of creative writing, Sander has done a fine job of reconstructing Serling's life without the cooperation of his widow, but Sander is perhaps too generous in his assessment of Serling's contributions to literature, if not to popular culture. Photos not seen by PW
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Rod Serling authorized only one person to pen his biography. However, the TV legend's anointed protege, Mark Olshaker, was so distraught over Serling's death in 1975 that he eventually turned the project over to Sander. Using these files and numerous interviews with Serling intimates, Sander has fashioned a vivid and fascinating portrait of this complex innovator from television's Golden Age. While not skimping on his analysis of Serling's famed masterpiece The Twilight Zone (1959-65), he also gives in-depth examinations of the making of such early TV classics as Requiem for a Heavyweight and Patterns . The five-time Emmy Award-winner's life is examined in detail. While always giving the pioneering TV writer/producer his due, Sander does not shirk from any of Serling's blemishes, including his eventual embrace of the crass commercialism in television that he initially opposed so vehemently. This excellent book is an essential purchase for public and academic libraries.
-David M. Turkalo, Social Law Lib., Boston
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; 1st edition (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525935509
• ISBN-13: 978-0525935506
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rod Serling: TV's "Angry Man", September 8, 2005

By 

J. D. Frank - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Serling: The Rise and Twilight of Television's Last Angry Man (1st Edition) (Hardcover)

This is a well-written resource concerning life and times of the creator of TV's "Twilight Zone". It is not an "authorized biography", which is a good thing. The text flows well, and covers Serling's childhood years, as well as his career before and after "The Zone". Notes bibliography and index are included, as are appendices covering videography, filmography and awards received by Mr. Serling. A few photos make up a center spread, resulting in a work that sould make a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone interested in Rod Serling, his life, and his creations.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Read, August 16, 2007

By 

Douglas S. Lavine - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Serling: The Rise and Twilight of Television's Last Angry Man (Mass Market Paperback)

Growing up, I was fascinated by "The Twilight Zone" and entranced by Rod Serling's persona--the deep voice, the intense manner, the eerie quality of his show. I have just finished reading Gorden F. Sander's excellent book. I strongly recommend it to anyone who, like me, has always enjoyed Serling and "The Twilight Zone," but knows little about him or the early days of television. Sander does an excellent job of putting Serling into context--the context of his times, his medium, his contemporaries. The book is balanced and fair. The author clearly has deep affection and respect for Serling, but is not afraid to be appropriately critical where he thinks it justified. The book is a wonderful read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sterling, January 9, 2012

By 

M. J. Sparrin "Amazon Hound" (Ilion, New York USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serling: The Rise and Twilight of Television's Last Angry Man (1st Edition) (Hardcover)

Great source of information...recommend for any real fan of the Twilight Zone....gives background of a life that has interested Americans for decades...a page turner to be sure...