NPRThis Is NPR: The First Forty Years

As a long-time listener, the words came off the page in the voices of their writers. It was like walking down memory lane.

Without assistance from me--this book containing transcriptions of unbiased, informative, intellectually and emotionally rewarding broadcasts--should be self-sufficient in explaining the invaluable service NPR provides on a daily basis to all but the most hostile and mean-spirited listeners. Periodic "flaps" should not for an instant be allowed to cast a shadow on the future of National Public Radio, as close to a day-in/day-out window on America and the World as is provided by any broadcast or telecast that a listener--let's say someone limited to a single source of news, information, culture, education and entertainment--is apt to find.As the transcriptions in this book will show, NPR strives mightily to record, as meticulously and comprehensively as possible, statements--whether by its announcers or by callers-in--to assure a fair and equal balance of opinions, sentiments, biases, information from both the left and right sides of the political spectrum. The network knows that--despite the trust it has among not merely the "intellectually elite" but immigrants, working class listeners, transients (repeatedly I hear cab drivers' radios tuned to this station), the unemployed--it is on thin ice both politically and financially. And it doesn't help that in recent times the network, which accounts for the most minuscule of government expenditures, has been a popular scapegoat for the ultra-conservative, far-right media or for political candidates needing a sound bite about how they plan to tackle the national debt.Despite the one-time generous gift of Mrs. Ray Kroc and the contributions of loyal listeners who recognize the singular public service that NPR provides, the network simply cannot afford the least evidence of demagoguery, partisan politics, or even personal bias. It's always the very survival of NPR--this whipping boy for the outer fringe--that is at stake. If NPR lets down its guard, or allows it to be proven that it espouses a particular bias or political point of view, it's entirely possible that a political "enemy" (or opportunist) could initiate actions toward the silencing of this vital source of information, culture, and, yes, entertainment. From one admittedly narrow perspective (this listener's), even America's indigenous contribution to the arts--jazz, and the seminal genius of Armstrong, Ellington, Coltrane to this American art form--would stand in danger of having some of its most historic moments erased from the record and from public consciousness.)NPR may be "progressive" in its views of democracy and equal justice for all, but the service is "conservative" in its projects to save, or preserve, for present and future generations the very best of what this nation can take pride in--whether in the realms of international or national issues, the humanities or the fine arts.

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.

Thanks Amazon for the quick response with the book. I actually know 2 or 3 of the people in this book which is why it was so important to get my copy.I had a signed one some time ago but it was lost/or stolen from my hotel room.but now I have a copy even without the signature I am enjoying reading it.

my dad and I live 4,000 miles apart. When I was growing up, we listened to a LOT of NPR in our house. (I'm happy to say my kid now has his favorite programs). I saw this when I was looking for another book by Cokie Roberts and thought it would be a neat Father's Day gift for my dad. He loves it! Everything about it. The pictures, the short stories about each show, the way it's arranged by decade, and even the typeface. There were some episodes from the '80s and '90s discussed in the book that we both remember listening to together. Dad even read me some excerpts over the phone from episodes in the '70s, and they were absolutely fascinating. This is really a perfect blend of nostalgia and deeper insights into your favorite shows and the people behind them. I have since purchased another copy for myself. Also? I'm pretty sure I'm the favorite now. ;)

As a long-time NPR fan with a distant background in the news business, I looked forward to the arrival of THIS IS NPR on my Kindle. While I did learn some facts I didn't know before, the style of the book was too disconnected and disjointed. More than a few times, I had to back up to see who had written the chapter I was reading. The pictures weren't much help either in giving me the flavor of the NPR newsroom.All in all, it left me dissatisfied. I felt that I had been reading a bunch of promotional pieces written for use in the interminable weeks when they yammer on for donations. There was no central philosophy and flow to the book except that it was broken up into a timeline of decades.If NPR news magazine programs were like this book, the listener totals would be a fraction of what it is. How such talented journalists could produce this high school yearbook is beyond me.