Radio Books

I Came across this book at the library and decided it was time to get my own copy. It focuses on information for the beginner as well as teaching techniques for instructors. It goes very in depth as to what makes a good trainer plane, equipment, and flying practices. This book stresses on-the-ground and in-the-air safety. There are many great pictures and diagrams and the explanations are very clear.

Now in its fourth edition, Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting: A Self-Instructional Learning Experience by Tim Wulfemeyer is a solid primer on the basic ins and outs of writing professionally for radio and television. News terms, sample writing assignments, examples, tips, tricks, techniques, and more make Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting a an invaluable instructional reference for anyone with an interest in entering this exciting and specialized field of writing. Also very strongly recommended is Tim Wulfemeyer's accompanying text, Radio-TV Newswriting: A Workbook, 2nd Edition ...

I discovered this book by accident in a university library just after it was published. I tore through it with glee.
The whole history of our modern electronic mass media was laid bare, clear and complete before me. All aspects of history are discussed; the technical, commercial, industrial, economic, political and even personal details are woven to give the reader one of the most complete histories of this subject. You can clearly and easily see the motivations behind the people who made history when you know the technical details and political and business climate. Reading this book gave me an expansive perspective and greater insight on broadcast and electronic media. The how and the why were explained with ease and fun.
The subject may look dry to many, but since our lives then, now and in the future revolve around broadcast media, there are few subjects more compeling and this author is telling it's story from begining to end with warmth and detail.
The only ways I could even think of improving it would be to update it regularly, include more color photos, and then adapt it into a TV miniseries.

I have the four volumes of "The Best of Bob & Ray," and this one is my favorite. The great classic routine "VCR Children" is on it as well as three others of what I think are their best routines: "Transatlantic Bridge," "South Quoddy Airlines," and the "Club of the Month Club." Can't explain it here--you'll just have to listen and laugh till your nose runs.

Another reviewer might give this easy piano music book one star or none.
This would likely be the accomplished musician or the talented journeyman
for whom these 24 tunes from the 1930s and WW-2 1940s, are far too
easy.

But for this aging, long-ago piano player who forgot most of what he knew
about the art, this book is just the thing to enable him to once again play some
of the pop tunes that enlivened his youth.

I nearly returned Best of the Big Bands, but then I asked myself, "Why should
I struggle with more difficult arrangements when I can actually play these?"

This is one of several booklets written by Frs. Rumble and Carty -- the famous Radio Replies priests who explained the Catholic faith on radio in America and Australia from the 1930's through the 1950's.

Over the booklet's 32 pages, Rumble and Carty answer 86 of the most common questions about, and objections to, the Bible. The answers are well written, concise, although often full of details and references (especially to scripture), and loaded with common sense. There are also a few surprises in the booklet. Protestants have been lied to for centuries and told that Catholics didn't know anything about the Bible in the Middle Ages. The authors here, however, show that Protestants historians, like Maitland, knew better: "The fact is...the writing of the Dark Ages are, if I may use the expression, made of the Scriptures"!!!

Did you know that there were 9 German language Bibles printed before Martin Luther was even BORN? Twenty-seven were printed before he published his own version!
There are some fascinating quotes from Protestants at the end.

This is the best book of scripts I've ever read! Philip Rapp was a master of radio comedy and it's good to see that there's finally a book of this material out on the market. With
every line you read you can hear the shrew Frances Langford egging poor husband Don Ameche to get out of bed at 3 in the morning to do something foolish like make out a will or find the cat a husband. A must have for the ture diehard Bickersons/OTR buff !

For the past 20 years or so, television has introduced situation comedies about married life where the couples are anything but happy (Married With Children, for example) or not even married. We move with the times. But in television's infancy, all couples kissed at night, never quarreled but had a little "spat" and by the final fade out, money never seemed to be an issue.

The Honeymooners seemed to break out of that mold more than any other sitcom. But how did it begin?

Well, I was surprised but Mr. Ohmart wrote a short and sweet history of the first "realistic" look at married life where things were not always rosy.

Don Amache and Frances Langford portrayed the characters of John and Blanche Bickerson (sometimes known as The Battling Bickersons) on radio. The segment was captured as "The Honeymoon Is Over" and on radio, it did its best to shake up American listeners. Gone were the "more juice, darling?" conversations while junior came home late from a date. The Bickersons were deeply etched, quite complex characters who were way ahead of their time. And radio audiences loved them!

It is to Mr. Ohmarts credit that he gives us a very liberal sampling of the scripts which, even without the actors voices leading the way, show how sharp and witty the writing was.

Furthermore, the author traces the history of the radio program both forward and back in time. It seems that some variation of the Bickersons existed until the early 70's!

Cable radio is rebroadcasting some of the episodes and this book (although quite good as a stand-alone) is an excellent companion to a fantastic, nearly forgotten, series.

One of the undisputed classic reference works for the old-time radio enthusiast, first published during the original wave of nostalgia over 25 years ago, "The Big Broadcast" lists many network and syndicated radio shows that ran in the timeframe of the 1920's-50s, more commonly referred to as "the golden age of radio". A great source for cast lists (if you can't put a name to a voice) with informative articles on genres and more technical matters (sound effects, "independent" networks, etc.). This type of thorough reference work is usually frustratingly hard to find for the old-time radio. This book has been out of print for years, and when you found a copy of the first edition, you could expect to pay premium prices, especially if the seller knew what he had. The introduction, by radio comedian Henry Morgan (not to be confused with the guy who played Colonel Potter on "MASH"), is a beauty.

I purchased these audiobooks within a week of purchasing "Farewell my Lovely". The Big Sleep" and "The High Window" are my favorites. I love the plot, the wit (beautifully excecuted by Ed Bishop) The stories are really interesting and fun. It is unique to rely on your audiotory sense in a world usually focusing on the visual. These are a must to own for the Raymond Chandler, Philip Marlowe or Mystery theme fan. Personally my primary reason was for my favorite actor Ed Bishop being the star!! His voice and the delivery of each line with pinpoint precision is music to the ears :0)