Sound and the Story: Npr and the Art of Radio [Hardcover]

Thomas Looker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995 | ISBN-10: 0788163302 | ISBN-13: 978-0788163302

An inside look at a popular radio network analyzes its size in relation to its following, introduces the personalities behind such programs as Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and weighs the effects of television on radio broadcasting.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Looker, who created and produced National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning New England Almanac series, spent six months in 1993 at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he interviewed staff, attended editorial meetings and observed the production of NPR's most popular shows. After the decline of commercial radio in the 1950s and '60s, NPR was founded in 1971 by a staff who believed in the power of radio to engage the imagination and curiosity of listeners by presenting creative programming. Looker details here, in lively and engrossing prose, the dedication and hard work that have gone into producing such shows as Morning Edition and All Things Considered on a shoestring budget. His interviews with NPR staff including Linda Wertheimer, Susan Stamberg and Art Silverman illuminate the current debate at NPR over whether the station should exist primarily as a news source or should produce programming that is unavailable on TV or in newspapers. An engaging backstage tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Looker attempts to show the future potential of National Public Radio (NPR) through a portrayal of its recent past, concentrating on its news division. Peabody award-winning radio journalist, former NPR staffer, and current lecturer in American studies, the author spent six months in 1993 visiting, observing, and interviewing at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C. A fourth of the book is devoted to how one day's issue of Morning Edition got on the air. But Looker's primary concern is the undervalued power of radio?and NPR in particular?to add to listeners' lives. Looker contends that precisely because of radio's demand on the intellect and imagination it encourages the very faculties television dulls. More practically, Looker discusses staff dissension on such issues as the proper classification of radio as a medium, language, or a sound and the correct future direction of NPR news and the changes in funding that have added to the difficulties. NPR fans and communications students will enjoy this informative book. For communications collections in public and academic libraries.?Marianne Cawley, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 421 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788163302
• ISBN-13: 978-0788163302
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,365,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch! Gets into the guts of NPR and brings it to life!, April 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sound and the Story: NPR and the Art of Radio (Hardcover)

A fascinating view into the people, trials and tribulations, and personal drama of National Public Radio.. Thomas Looker vividly paints a picture of a medium whose currency is words and not pictures- The book is a testament to the very power of words which radio exemplifies..Highly recommended- especially to those who are sated with the pap spewed forth by sit-coms and movies rife with special visual effects.