Ray Barfield has done something quite new in media studies.
Rather than trace the history of radio through the usual route, he
has sought out a body of oral history from those who grew up with
and listened to radio. He has not only collated the responses of
his informants but placed their comments in a larger cultural and
historical context and thus provided a kind of history from the
ground up. He demonstrates thereby just how important and
influential radio was in the lives of ordinary Americans. General
readers and scholars alike will learn something from Barfield's
engaging narrative about why radio was once such a compelling force
in our culture. (From the "Foreword" by Thomas Inge.) This fresh
and engaging account of early radio's contributions to U.S. social
and cultural life brings together varied perspectives of listeners
who recall the programs that delighted and entranced them. The
first electronic medium to enter the home, radio is examined as a
chief purveyor of family entertainment and as a bridge across
regional differences. Barfield draws from over 150 accounts,
providing a forum and a context for listeners of early radio to
share their memories--from their first impressions of that magical
box to favorite shows. Opening chapters trace the changing
perceptions of radio as a guest or an invader in U.S. homes during
the exuberant 1920s, the cash-scarce 1930s, and the rapidly
changing World War II and post-war years. Later chapters offer
listener responses to every major program type, including news
reporting and commentary, sportscasts, drama, comedy series, crime
and terror shows, educational and cultural programs, children's
adventure series, soap operas, audience participation shows, and
musical presentations.
This fresh and engaging account of early radio's contributions
to U.S. social and cultural life brings together varied
perspectives of listeners who recall the programs that delighted
and entranced them. The first electronic medium to enter the home,
radio is examined as a chief purveyor of family entertainment and
as a bridge across regional differences. Barfield draws from over
150 accounts, providing a forum and a context for listeners of
early radio to share their memories--from their first impressions
of that magical box to favorite shows.
Opening chapters trace the changing perceptions of radio as a
guest or an invader in U.S. homes during the exuberant 1920s, the
cash-scarce 1930s, and the rapidly changing World War II and
post-war years. Later chapters offer listener responses to every
major program type, including news reporting and commentary,
sportscasts, drama, comedy series, crime and terror shows,
educational and cultural programs, children's adventure series,
soap operas, audience participation shows, and musical
presentations.
General
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