Radio Books

Grand personal experience, expressed carefully -- on full range of topics a studio operator, recording engineer could face. Not covered in very depth, but captured the essence. If one is interested in MUSIC production, there is more dedicated books than this.

As the satisfied user of an earlier edition, for me the big question was how much new stuff would there be in this update, given that at first glance the layout of the chapters is almost the same and subjects (such as microphones types and their uses, or studio acoustics) don't change very rapidly. But, dipping a bit deeper, that turned out to be deceptive. There really is a lot of new stuff in this one; it's also (even) more clearly written, and to get the extra material into the same space it is sharper, more concise. The content remains as authoritative as ever - the book really does deliver what it says on the cover - and without the irritating mateyness that so many books of this kind now impose on the reader.

Obviously the biggest changes are in chapters which cover processing, mixing and editing, where digital techniques have advanced most rapidly, but these are still made understandable by relating them to the analogue techniques they emulate (some of which are in any case still in use). A new reader is told not only what to do, but also why it's a good way to do it, and how to listen to and think about the result.

`The Sound Studio' has always been particularly strong on microphones and their placement. This incidentally was the subject of Nisbett's `Use of Microphones', which is now out of print but is, I think, better covered in the present work. The Seventh Edition includes much new equipment and lots of new wrinkles even in places where I didn't expect it. Clearly, it's the perfect choice for the newcomer - but is also a really good work of reference for the rest of us. I particularly like the comprehensive glossary, as well as having an index that really works.

So - whether you have and old edition or not - I second the verdict of Music Tech Magazine and really do recommend this new version of `Sound Studio'. Ian Middleton.

It is hard to think of a topic that has generated so much shallow commentary and narrow vision as the whole information technology revolution in general and the Internet in particular. Everyone with something to sell or a reputation to make has climbed on this wagon, and as a result the noise to signal ratio in relation to this immensely important subject is extremely high. But now and then someone comes along to take another look at things and really puts some meaning back into the discussion. Enter Wade Rowland. Rowland is a Canadian science writer, but what impresed me most about his book is, firstly, he effectively places the whole history of technological development in a wider social context, including some interesting commentary on on the role of philosophy, and second, he is not afraid to remind us of the much ignored human dimension. In particular Rowland's treatment of the Internet is interesting and insightful, and while rightly citical of much of what has ocurred (especially the debasement of popular culture under pressure from commercial interest) he is optimistic about the genuine liberatory qualities of the net (as opposed, for instance, to broadcast TV). In my view this is an extraordinarily successful book, and hopefully raises the bar in an area where both profound thought and good writing have been rare. If you do not read any other book about the information age and the net, read this one.

This book remains one of the most relevant accounts of the development of the Web. I teach a Mass Communication course, and assign this as the text to place the Internet into a broader liberal arts context. The students find it an engaging way to understand some of the historical precedents of the Web.

For more recent perspective, magazines like Wired and Business 2.0 complete the picture.

The product was amazing, as always, with anything by Mr. Keillor. The stories brought me back to family vacations to the Northeast; sleepy-time ventures in the car while my parents drove... Garrison's voice is my favorite part about his stories. I also love that these are ONLY Lake Wobegone stories and have nothing to do with his whole radio show. (Lake Wobegone was always my favorite part anyway) :) Also, on a side not, the CD arrived on time and just as the seller said it would be. Two thumbs up. :)

Clarence Bunsen has bad (i.e. extremely funny) day, involving static, cramped hand and fear of death, ending with his leaping from a tree to frighten some children and restoring his equilibrium. Only GK could combine all those elements in one of the seasonal CDs from LW. "Me and Choir" is also excellent.

Lucille Balls plays the same zany housewife as in "I Love Lucy" but in different situations. These tapes are pure entertainment and a MUST for any true Lucy fan.

18 absolutely helarious programs from Lucille Ball's wonderful "My Favorite Husband" with Richard Dening. The shows are full length 30 minute shows on 9 90 minute tapes. Published by Radio Spirits Inc, one of the largest Old Time Radio programs. This series stars Liz and George Cooper "two people who live together, and like it" This shows would eventually turn into "I Love Lucy" which now airs on Nick At NIte, you will notice that some of the I Love Lucy shows were taken from previous My Vavorite Husband shows.

It is such a shame that this charming and useful book is out of print. Nothing has ever quite captured the challenges of rewards of community-style radio as this book by Peter Hunn.

When Hunn was struck by the idea of creating his own radio, he assumed there would be books to tell him how to go about it. As anyone in broadcasting will tell you, radio technology sometimes seems like the closely guarded arcana of engineers and corporations. So he wrote this book, a practical and entertaining narrative about building a low-power station, WHRC-FM, for about $40 000.

I found myself in the same situation as Peter Hunn. I wanted to create my own FM radio station to take advantage of a market that was underserved by radio. What I quickly found is that there is no book or documentation ANYWHERE explaining how to do it. One of the contacts I made in doing my research loaned me a copy of Peter Hunn's book. It explained in a clear and simple step by step manner exactly what I had to do to create the station. I really don't think I could have done it without this guide. It's a real shame it's out of print!

Wonderful and rich with memories. A must for those interested in this era, but most of all, a heartwarming story of family and love.

If you're like most people today, you might remember Jerry Colonna only as Bob Hope's sidekick in a couple of movies and TV shows. He was more than that: aside from being Hope's partner and friend for decades of radio shows and overseas tours, he was a brilliant and innovative comedian in his own right, and a respected musician. In fact, for the first part of his career he was busy playing trombone on radio and recording gigs, and hardly talked at all. His signature bushy mustache was originally grown to protect his upper lip during long sessions with his horn.

Bob Colonna (his son, named after the headlining comedian) has written a fascinating biography. It has the expected historic beginnings, ups and downs, and touching ending... but the bulk is filled with anecdotes and script segments from Jerry's glory years in comedy, when he was almost as much a cultural icon as Hope himself. Much of it is laugh-out-loud. Some is also a glimpse into the early days of network radio and TV.

Well written and worthwhile.

I remember reading the first few issues of the Incredible Hulk comic book when they first came out. The early sixties were an incredible time for the development of new comic book characters. This was the most intense phase of the cold war and humans were beginning to send probes and people into space. Some of the dangers of exposure to radioactivity were known, but enough was unknown so that the comic developers could use it as a basis for the development of superpowers.
The cold war and radiation form the foundation for the origin of the Hulk. Dr. Bruce Banner is working on an enhanced radiation nuclear bomb. It produces a large amount of gamma rays and when a Soviet spy betrays Banner, the bomb goes off and Banner is engulfed with gamma rays. They change his body so that he is transformed into a large, powerful green being. In later issues of Marvel comics, exposure to gamma rays is repeatedly used to create additional mighty beings.
While I liked the lesson in the history of comic book characters, the best part of the book is the lessons in history and science. Teielbaum spends some time explaining the cold war, the fifties "duck and cover" that all American school children practiced on a regular basis, the power of nuclear weapons, and animals that are relevant to the cartoon characters. This is a lesson about the world that children will find very easy to absorb.
Children generally love comic books and if they are properly done, they can also learn science and history. This is a book that is properly done and it can be used as a science lesson/entertainment interlude in the later years of elementary school.

The entertainment value of this basic summary of the Incredible Hulk's story in Marvel Comics is high, and should certainly capture the attention of the proficient young readers. It's quite literate with good vocabulary for the reading level. Importantly, though it's fun. While conveying the spirit of the comic book character, Teitelbaum brings in related bits of information aimed at increasing the young reader's knowledge while stimulating youthful curiosity into learning more about the Hulk's literary predecessers, about early concerns about nuclear energy, about the cold war and its anxieties, about the fields of scientific research along with other topics.

The emphasis though is on entertainment which is what should draw the young readers into reading it, strengthening reading skills and expanding their knowledge at the same time.

Everybody knows about the independent film movement of the 70's and 80's, but what about the people trying to revolutionize television? They're all right here -- the Videofreex, TVTV, et al, people making provocative, innovative video long before Michael Moore or the clowns on MTV. A primer for frustrating film-school students who want to shake things up.

Great for anyone interested in radical television, especially film and TV students who don't want to spend the rest of their lives churning out bad sitcoms. A must-read for the DV generation.

This is a collection of perfect reflective meditations, which always leave you feeling happier no matter how often you listen.

Amongst the wonderful "News from Lake Wobegon" collections, this stands high as a personal favourite. Apart from the classic "Lving Flag" and "Tomato Butt", "The Tollefson Boy goes to College" and "Mrs Berge and the Schubert Carillon Piano" [with brilliant impersonations of the carillon piano] are strong, mixing acute observation of the humour, tedium and sadness of everyday life with just enough exaggeration to provide comic relief.

Superman Radio Scripts presents original radio scripts from the 1940s radio series Adventures Of Superman, gathering scripts never before available and pairing them with sixteen pieces of classic cartoon art. It's the scripts themselves which are the highlight here: perfect for Superman collectors or fans of old radio dramas.

I have been a fan of Superman for many years, but I have always
particularly enjoyed the Golden Age. This book has the radio script from Superman's best radio play to my knowledge entitled "Superman VS Atom Man". Since I also own the radio show on tape, I can read along as I enjoy the story. There are also some wonderful old pictures that accompany the story. All I can say is that I would enjoy seeing more of these radio scripts in print. The book says "volume 1", so I hope that means more volumes may be coming out. If you want a script of this wonderful radio story, you won't be disappointed. And, overall, the price is right!