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The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by [Maxwell King]

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Maxwell King

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers Kindle Edition

by Maxwell King (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

986 ratings

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Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously.

The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.

Length: 434 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Former Philadelphia Inquirer editor King reveals Fred Rogers (1928–2003), creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, whose guiding principles of his Christian faith—kindness, acceptance, and unconditional love—underpinned every aspect of his professional and personal life. Arranged more or less chronologically, this title traces Rogers's development from an often sickly and overweight child, subjected to childhood bullying and an overprotective mother. His upbringing, while often socially isolating, provided a rich environment for the development of his creativity; he went on to study musical composition and become ordained as a Presbyterian minister. Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001, was radical for its time, covering war, death, divorce, and other controversial topics honestly and respectfully for children's understanding. Myths about Rogers—that his sweaters covered up tattoos or that he was a Vietnam sniper—are debunked, revealing instead that he was exactly as he appeared. VERDICT Grown-up fans, pop culture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the history of educational television and child development will be inspired. An excellent and timely addition to most collections.–Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Review

“In King’s [The Good Neighbor] … the inimitable Mister Rogers becomes somehow even more enchanting. In addition to elegantly narrating the facts of Rogers’ life… King’s book brims with anecdotes of intimate exchanges that highlight Rogers’ kindness and grace.”

(Booklist)

"King is a skilled storyteller who captures the essence of not only Rogers the person but also the very particular American scene that produced him."

(The Washington Post)

“As the extreme importance of our most gifted teachers, and the credit they are due, become ever more evident, Maxwell King has provided a superb, thoughtful biography of the brilliant Fred Rogers, who with his long-running television show, reached more children than any teacher ever. The enormous amount of thought, creative talent, and hard work that Rogers put into every aspect of the show becomes abundantly clear in this book, as do the lessons in empathy and kindness that he took so to heart. Much there is for all of us to learn in Maxwell King’s The Good Neighbor.”

(David McCullough)

“Fred launched the ship that carried us all.”

(LeVar Burton)

“Mere pages into this beautiful account, tears began to roll down my cheeks as my heart remembered the kind and gentle manner of Mr. Rogers. Deeply researched, Maxwell King’s biography brings Rogers to life in small moments recalled by those who knew him best. Through a meticulous unspooling of his childhood, we learn why Fred Rogers—a child born into extreme wealth who could have done anything or nothing with his life—wound up of all things a child whisperer, a seer of the human heart, a builder of bridges constructed of unconditional love and acceptance. Reading King’s narrative, one cannot help but long for a time when children spent their afternoons watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; one cannot help but sense that what we all need right now is an infusion of Fred Rogers’ enduring teachings back onto our airwaves and into our America.”

(Julie Lythcott-Haims author of How to Raise an Adult)

“Anyone who has seen Fred Rogers on TV eventually gets around to the same core question: Was he really like that in real life? In this well-researched, insightful and affectionately written biography, Maxwell King answers ‘Yes.’ I suspect Mister Rogers himself would have approved of The Good Neighbor, and Rogers always maintained the highest of standards.”

(David Bianculli)

“Fred Rogers recognized how essential the first years of life are to a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. No one understood the strength of human kindness better. His message spans all generations, from my own children to their children. He was a man truly ahead of his time.”

(Jackie Bezos President and Co-Founder, Bezos Family Foundation) --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

ASIN : B07BF6BVWK
Publisher : Abrams Press; Illustrated edition (September 4, 2018)
Publication date : September 4, 2018
Language: : English
File size : 6653 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 434 pages
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #62,621 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #6 in Television History & Criticism
- #41 in TV History & Criticism
- #96 in Biographies of Actors & Entertainers

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986 ratings

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Excellent bio of Fred Rogers...

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018

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Fred Rogers slowed down my sons' TV viewing thirty five years ago. Compared to Sesame Street, where every moment seemed spent in frenetic movement, the Mr Rogers show was calm and deliberately paced. Fred Rogers seemed to be able to speak directly to a child. I always wished I could speak so intimately to my own children but then most mothers I knew felt the same way. Fred Rogers is the subject of a superb new bio, "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers", by Maxwell King.

Fred Rogers was born to be "Mr Rogers". He was an only child for many years, born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg. His family was very wealthy, owning local companies, and were liberal in their outlook. His mother, in particular, was very, very charitable in the community and both parents encouraged young Fred in his artistic interests. Fred went through a typical adolescence as a rich kid in a small town, complete with the embarrassment that age and wealth bring. He went to Dartmouth for two years - enduring endless partying in the wilds of New Hampshire by others - before transferring to Rollins College in Florida. He found a ready-made community of other music majors. He soon knew he wanted to combine music with the teaching of children. He met his wife, Joanne, at Rollins. He soon moved into the new medium of television and soon found his place. And he was perfect for public television, where he found a home after disagreeing with the monetizing of children's TV.

Fred Rogers came from a religious family. They had long been active in the Presbyterian Church and Fred eventually became a Presbyterian minister. I never thought he pushed his Christian beliefs in his show but I always appreciated the religious-aura he lent to his words.

Maxwell King takes a measured look at Fred Rogers, his career, and his huge influence on generations of children who were raised with his gentle voice and words. There wasn't much "wrong" in Fred Rogers' life; he was lucky that way, but he also worked at contributing to the society around him. Now that I have grandchildren, I miss Mr Rogers.

126 people found this helpful

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Katrelya A. Angus

Best Remembered for his Compassion

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2018

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Anyone who is not too old for apple juice and cookies is not too old for Mister Rogers! I simply could not put this excellent biography down! Mister Rogers' core virtue is compassion. King shows how Mister Rogers treats children with the utmost respect, but far more than a children's television host, Mister Rogers was a brilliant musician, playwright, and caring pastor. I was amazed that this sweet man avoided negativity even when presenting things about which he strongly disagreed. For example, in a Christmas show, he, as the writer, displays a dislike for the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by having Santa tell Daniel Tiger that not a spy, and that good people are not always good - they only try to be good. Through Mister Rogers' example, I myself try to be good. As I reflect on my own childhood memories of television, I think of the other men on the shows I watched: Gomez Addams was handsome and funny, but we never see him as a friend - we only see him with his family. Gordon on Sesame Street was with his television neighbors, but even when off-duty, he could not stop being a teacher - it was important for him to teach children, for example, the alphabet. As for Bozo, whom I never liked, we see him only at work as a clown - and King points out that Mister Rogers was against "clowns and balloons" being presented to children in their shows because children deserve far more than that - they deserve love and respect. Mister Rogers alone provides children with what they - and adults - need the most: unconditional love. King presents Mister Rogers as the loving and compassionate neighbor whom everyone wants to have as a neighbor, and through King's book, I am trying very hard to be that sort of person.

60 people found this helpful

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A reader

Such a disappointment

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

I read this for a book group, after having seen the movie last year. I absolutely loved the movie, but this book is an ordeal to get through - though clearly not for the huge fan base I see in the other reviews. I love a well-written bio - oh, if only this task had fallen to David McCullough. The repetitiveness is oppressive. The uncritical voice of the author never should have made it to print - the gushing praise is thin on examples to support the beatification effort he seems to be on. I must concede that the author seems to be a bit limited by the advanced age of many of his sources, which he quotes assiduously. Maxwell King clearly is trying to write the story of a great hero. Fred Rogers was a good man, but given the resources he had, and the doors opened and aid continuously given by others of power and influence, this is not the stuff to spin a credible tale of heroic struggle and conquest. It still could have made a good story in the right hands.

45 people found this helpful

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Bescgh

Definitive, Authentic, Important, and A Joy!

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018

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This is a definitive biography of Fred Rogers, bringing into focus the span of his entire life with ease, warmth and authority. The author did an excellent job creating a wonderful read, filled with details that will stay with the reader. We really need this biography to help keep Fred Roger's work and outlook alive. You will come away from this book with a deeper and richer appreciation of the varied landscape of his life and work. And you'll be richer for it. This book is important. A must read for people in all walks of life who care about children and our world. "The Good Neighbor", is a great book about an amazing human. Enjoy!

49 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Richnsoul

Never judge a book by its cover - ‘Good on the inside’

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2020

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In a 30 year plus career Fred Rogers provided iconic weekly TV shows that connected with millions of American children and their parents . He received countless awards , has had a comet named after him, his influence and his foundation continue to inspire broadcasters and educationalists and Tom Hanks starred in a distinguished 2019 biography. Until then I suspect very few of us in the UK had heard of him. This is a remarkable book about an even more remarkable man . King charts you through his Pennsylvania privileged roots and education through to his career in broadcasting and the influence of his faith and an unswerving commitment to make a positive contribution to the emotional well being of pre school children via what was the new medium of television. Even as something of an outsider I was gripped by the characters in Fred’s life and the pioneering early years of television and an approach that contrasts to the crass commercially driven broadcasting that children are subjected to today. The book is a tribute but acknowledges Rogers flaws and failures , but through some excellent research and priceless contributions it appears to do justice to a unique individual . I found myself developing a real emotional investment in Fred Rogers - and wanted him to ‘ be my friend’, such was the quality of this narrative.

One person found this helpful

TheRedBlueBlur

Not enough of Fred

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

An excellent and detailed account of Fred’s life and career, but sadly not that engaging and definitely needed more actual quotes from Fred, who is sadly mostly silent throughout the book. Too many facts, not enough Fred.

Sally81

Mr Rogers’ Resurgence

Reviewed in Canada on March 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

As someone who never really grew up with Mr. Rogers’ Neighbourhood, I find biographies of Mr. Rogers fascinating in a non-nostalgic manner. I don’t have an attachment to the program or the man and in some respect, appreciate him more for that. From what I’ve learnt of him, his compassion, commitment and drive to do the best for children makes him a unique role model in recent history.

This admiration continues unabated after reading this solid biography. Despite the fact that it took me forever to finish due to all the stress around me since 2020 started, this book reinforced that kindness and courage can go hand in hand as can conviction and compassion. The book is about a man who had a privileged life but used that privilege to better the world while staying true to a moral compass that seems to have been left behind in the celebrity sphere. At least, that is what I get when I read “celebrity biographies” which focus on the salacious to generate interest.

There is something about Mr. Rogers which continues to resonate - probably all the more today. I guess thus all the renewed interest in him. There was a fabulous 2018 documentary, "Won’t You Be My Neighbor", this book as well as the more recent 2019 move, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood". He provides a much needed balm which moved me - even without the nostalgia I teared up reading the book. I’ve watched enough of the show that listening to the opening song now make me smile and cry all the same time.

Unfortunately, I am not sure how much of this reaction is due to the biography vs the documentary (and the movie). In my opinion, while information, this book is a little overlong and stiff. My interest petered out near the end when the book became repetitive. Plus, the context of the show and its impact on the cultural landscape is lost in the written medium. I compare that to the documentary which showed clips, direct interviews and, therefore, allowed us to directly experience what was being discussed.

Of the two I would recommend the documentary and then this book. I will warn you that that order will make this book less necessary. It’s still worth it but in the end I will go with 4.5 stars for the repetition and the fact that this didn’t capture the magic as effectively as the visual medium. The book didn’t innovate enough to account for the change in medium. Still worth reading!

One person found this helpful

paul jaikaran

The Best and heart warming

Reviewed in India on May 4, 2019

Verified Purchase

Fred Rogers is truly a treasure to Mankind but unfortunately I came to know about him in my thirties so I thought I could know more about this wonderful man and so I bought this book and this book offered more than I expected and in certain pages my eyes were filled with tears.Mr.Maxwell had done a wonderful job.This book is a must in every reader's library.Worth it

Anonymous

Fred Rogers was a great man

Reviewed in Canada on June 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

Children watching Fred Rogers on TV learned good values and social skills. His biography is a treasure.

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