"Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear..."In this unique contribution to American social history, Normal Finkelstein explores the Golden Age of radio broadcasting from the Great Depression through World War II. Radio became the common experience that unified a diverse America, providing entertainment, news and information, which unified all Americans. Quoted passages from old programs and commercials provide readers with the flavor of what radio used to be.
Norman H. Finkelstein is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, mainly for young readers. He recently retired as a school librarian for the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools but continues into his 29th year of teaching history in the Prozdor Department of Hebrew College. Among his writing honors are two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor Book Award for Nonfiction and a "highly recommended" award from the Boston Author's Club.
His interest in history and biography developed early. "I was the only kid in the sixth grade who regularly read the New York Times," he said. His books reflect an eclectic view of his world. From his love of old-time radio came Sounds in the Air: The Golden Age of Radio and from his fascination with plastics came a social and cultural history called, simple enough, Plastics. He also serves as the series editor for the Jewish Publication Society's JPS Guides.
He is married to Rosalind who he calls "my first-line editor". They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Finkelstein lives in Framingham, Massachusetts.
