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stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty engaging and easy-to-read coffee table book. Lots of interesting and funny anecdotes. Nothing like an in-depth history, but it's not supposed to be.
tomas_1961's review against another edition
5.0
NPR is a national treasure. They provide facts in a calm fashion and do so in a true fair and balanced way. Those voices that we hear every day provide me with comfort, even if what they are reporting is not comforting. And this book, despite being too short, tells some of the stories behind the scenes and a little of the lives of the reporters.
matthewwester's review against another edition
4.0
This is an audiobook and it looks like the hardcover book of the same title has different content. If you're an NPR listener then this is great; it presents important or entertaining moments from the first 40 years of NPR. It's essentially a history lesson but in the words of those who were living right in the moment, not knowing how future would later look back on those times.
Because this version is only in audiobook form, I am going to count this as an extra credit pick for my 2016 #vtReadingChallenge as "a book from a library"
Because this version is only in audiobook form, I am going to count this as an extra credit pick for my 2016 #vtReadingChallenge as "a book from a library"
rlk7m's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed learning more of the history of NPR, even if the way it was presented seemed rather disjointed. The old photos were great, and it's always kind of neat to put faces to people you only hear day in and day out. Various anecdotes from producers, reporters, and managers added to the overall story, but the format of pull stories on every other page made my eyes jump, and I wasn't sure what to read first. But after learning how shows were scrapped together at the last minute and to see how far NPR has come in 40 years, it reaffirms my belief that public radio is VITAL to the larger media landscape.
katrinky's review against another edition
3.0
This is always how I prefer to read history books: from the perspective, and in the words, of the people who were there. "This is NPR" is organized as a series of essays, excerpts from actual broadcasts, and charts and photographs illustrating the rise over the last forty years of the inspired, inspiring programming millions of people rely on for their news and information. From harrowing stories of journalists who were reporting from somewhere (Iraq and China come first to mind) when they came under attack of experienced massive natural disasters, to funny, silly stories about the NPR Relay Race in 2008 (Team name sampling: Greased Cheetahs; Consider our Dust, Jerks), I got what felt like a thorough, personable walk through one of the best things the U.S. of A. has going for its radio programming. (I SUPPOSE that's arguable, but I'm pretty much not going to be convinced otherwise.)
I should also mention that the typography is super-stylish, and, SWOON, the book utilizes a very similar robin's-egg-and-tangerine color scheme to the 15th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, which...matters a lot to me.
And now it shouldn't surprise you at all that I am EXACTLY the kind of person who checks books about NPR out from the library and reads them in her spare time. Heh. It's a fine life, carrying the banner.
I should also mention that the typography is super-stylish, and, SWOON, the book utilizes a very similar robin's-egg-and-tangerine color scheme to the 15th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, which...matters a lot to me.
And now it shouldn't surprise you at all that I am EXACTLY the kind of person who checks books about NPR out from the library and reads them in her spare time. Heh. It's a fine life, carrying the banner.
cnorbury's review
4.0
If I could, I'd split my rating: 4 stars for regular listeners and fans of NPR; 3 stars for those who don't listen to NPR or aren't otherwise familiar with them.
The book chronicles the highlights of the first 40 years of NPR's existence up through 2009 or so. It centers on the greatest historical events of those years and NPR's role in bringing those stories to its listeners.
At times the essays run to a modest tooting of NPR's own horn--how they were there first, told the story best, succeeded against all odds and survived personal dangers and horrors.
Other essays have a "little engine that could" theme--especially the early years when no one knew what NPR was about, they ran on a shoestring budget, and somehow got the story first, or told it best, and did it with subpar equipment and facilities and an undermanned news department.
That said, for NPR fans, this is a nice encapsulation of their growth and increasing role in the national and international news business. There are some nice reminiscences of NPR pioneers and "legends" like Susan Stamberg, Bob Edwards, Cokie Roberts, and Nina Totenberg. We hear the story behind the story in many cases of reporters risking their lives in places like Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars there.
Note: I read the kindle version and some of the photos require you to enlarge the font in order to see them clearly.
The book chronicles the highlights of the first 40 years of NPR's existence up through 2009 or so. It centers on the greatest historical events of those years and NPR's role in bringing those stories to its listeners.
At times the essays run to a modest tooting of NPR's own horn--how they were there first, told the story best, succeeded against all odds and survived personal dangers and horrors.
Other essays have a "little engine that could" theme--especially the early years when no one knew what NPR was about, they ran on a shoestring budget, and somehow got the story first, or told it best, and did it with subpar equipment and facilities and an undermanned news department.
That said, for NPR fans, this is a nice encapsulation of their growth and increasing role in the national and international news business. There are some nice reminiscences of NPR pioneers and "legends" like Susan Stamberg, Bob Edwards, Cokie Roberts, and Nina Totenberg. We hear the story behind the story in many cases of reporters risking their lives in places like Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars there.
Note: I read the kindle version and some of the photos require you to enlarge the font in order to see them clearly.
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. There were some interesting tidbits in here for anyone who has listened to npr for a while. I think I would have liked listening to it more than I did reading it.
ivantable's review against another edition
3.0
As an NPR junkie, I enjoyed reading this. Not amazing, but good enough. Gives anecdotal history of the first forty years if NPR.