Radio Books

Space Planes: Paper Airplanes That Really Fly!, with it's punch-out plane samples, isn't appropriate for library lending; but that shouldn't keep it from the hands of consumers interested in planes and flights. Fifteen exciting space plane examples, from the Space Shuttle to the Mercury, are provided along with scale, original model kits which have been die-cut for minimal assembly time. Instructions for flying them are also included. A fun combination of lesson plan on space planes and game book for building them: all you need is glue and scissors.

I happened across the first two books in this series at a bookstore and could not resist buying them. They got me hooked and I bought this one as well.

To date, I have not made any airplanes in this book yet (though I have made planes from his other books). I have looked through this book extensively as I wait (impatiently) to have some spare time! Most of the aircraft in this book are fictitious, but roughly based on real ideas from decades back. However, there are some very nice realistic models of the X-15, Space Shuttle, and now world-famous SpaceShip One. I've been VERY tempted to put aside my studies (and the other three books, which you may have seen by reading my other reviews) to build the SpaceShip One.

Along with the planes, the author has included a brief history section in the book to educate the model builder.

I should mention that this is not a typical 'paper airplane' book. You do not simply take a sheet of paper and fold it in various ways then fly it. You have to cut out numerous pieces, form them to get the proper curves, glue them (carefully, so that the paper doesn't warp when it's drying), and THEN fly them. Even though that may sound challenging, the first few airplanes are enough to learn the skills necessary for the later (and more challenging) airplanes. And...THE PLANES FLY GREAT when built with patience and care. Mine have survived some great crashes into walls and radiators since I have a habit of launching them indoors (all the planes have a hook for launching via rubber bands).

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.

This is an excellent desk reference, although highly technical it's an excellent desk resource for design and support systems engineering.

Jerry Whitaker and Blair Benson have authored a "bible" for the audio engineer. I find myself often reading sections of the book that cover items I haven't used since college. It is also a very useful reference work for concepts and applications, and a great help in "refreshing" the memory. Worth every penny I paid for it.

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!

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.

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!

Radio drama (or any other kind of drama) just doesn't get any better than "Suspense", a series which ran for decades but maintained its quality high from start to finish.

The stories run the gamut: [1] Stories drawn from true life ("Around the World", "Dutch Schultz", "The Wreck of the Maid of Athens", and "The Bertillion Method"). [2] Fanciful speculations drawn on true life events ("The Queen's Ring", "The Mystery of the Marie Celeste" and "Goodbye, Miss Lizzie Borden"). [3] Classic literature ("The Signalman" by Charles Dickens, and "The Mystery of Marie Roget" by Edgar Allan Poe). [4] Crime and detective stories ("St. James Infirmary Blues", "The Great Train Robbery", "The Face is Familiar", "Want Ad", "Murder by Jury", and "The Cave In"). [5] Westerns ("The Spencer Brothers" and "Ordeal in Donner Pass"). [6] High adventure ("Action", "Hellfire", and "Lily and the Colonel"). [7] Suspense ("Pigeon in a Cage", "Never Follow a Banjo Act", and "Parole to Panic"). [8] Science fiction ("Plan X", and "Heavens to Betsy").

The collection features some classic stories and big stars (for example, Ronald Reagan, Agnes Moorhead, and Van Heflin). Some of the real gems, however, are little known stories featuring people you never heard of. "Public Defender" tells the story of a lawyer who performed far above and beyond the call of duty. "Sequel to Murder" features a man who makes up for a lack of creativity with a talent for imitation. In "The Cave In", a policeman risks his life in an attempt to solve the murder of a man everyone hated.

It's difficult to collect sixty stories from one series without getting some clunkers. "Over the Bounding Main" made no sense whatsoever. "The Empty Chair" was just a little too preachy. "The Game" wasn't any fun at all. And "Premonition" was predictable.

I bought this book off Amazon last year and it took me a while to get through all sixty shows. On the whole, this box set is great. Most stories are well acted and of course have suspense! One anoying thing about this collection is the inclusion of the dumb autolight commercial between shows but by the tenth cassette the comercial is gone. Like the reviewer below me, a collection of this size is bound to carry a few duds but I would say that there are only three or four in this entire collection. Most are quite intriguing and well written. Its worth mentioning that comparing these stories with today's pop culture and morals is amusing though I was rather surprised that they tackled themes like divorce, adultery and even alcoholism; pretty progressive stuff for those days. For the price, you can't go wrong. If you are a lover of classic radio drama or audiobooks in general its worth every penny and they will give you hours of enjoyment. Highly recommended.