Raised on Radio

I refer to Jerry's book many times in my weekly column, Radio Somewhere, in the Asbury Park Press. Jerry has managed to capture all the reasons we loved these radio shows in a highly readable format, taking us through the medium's various stages of maturity. He brings the characters, who we either loved or have heard so much about, to life with all the quirks, escapades, talents and foibles that their actors' possessed. And he gives plenty of context with which to understand the influences on the business and the shows themselves. Lots of behind the scene perspectives. Jerry loves radio and still hosts a radio show, Mind Over Matter, weekly on NPR's KALW-FM, from San Francisco. Reading Raised on Radio you can't help but wish it was all just getting started again. It's a great ride.

Gerald Nachman has captured the essence of the American era of entertainment known as "Radio's Golden Age" 1920-1962. His descriptions of the shows,formats,and content of the various types of broadcasts (news, comedy,soaps,quiz,etc.) is succint, pithy, and honest. I have been an OTR fan for over 35 years, and I believe this history of radio in America is perhaps one of the top 3 books on the subject. There are many tidbits and facts about shows and performers I had never read in any other book on radio. Nachman writes in easy to read conversational style, offering many insights and comments about shows and personalities as far back as 70 years ago, at the same time making logical comparisons to more recent personalities or forms of entertainment available today. I highly recommend this wonderful look at an almost lost art in American entertainment!

Anyone in his 70s remembers the Golden Age of Radio. Gerald Nachman, an old college classmate of mine, is at or near that age. The result is a strong book that isn't based on others' recollections, but is based on Nachman's own experiences. Certainly he verified some facts by using normal research and reference tools, but Gerry's memories here are his own. They're vivid, they're succinct, and they're just wonderful. Raised on Radio is a gem, not because my friend wrote it, but because its title is truthful, thus the stories inside the book are truthful.

I really love this book... Its a great read... neither overly scholarly (as in Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...) nor overly wishy washy like some titles that might come to mind. Its just one of those books you can sit back, read and enjoy. In the process you'll get a great overview of the rise and fall of radio... you'll meet the stars and the personality in front of and behind the mic, from the actors and executives, right down to the writers and sound effects men. - - I'm not sure if one could call it definitive... but for sure whether its definitive or not, it tells the story well and is re-readable as many of those classic radio shows are still relistenable. - - All in all, if you're a die hard "OTR" buff and want to know who played so and so in episode 154 of a certain radio show, its original airdate, and when it re-aired... the book probably isn't for you... - - If, however, to hear the story of radio as a whole, relive this golden age, and experience it not only from the perspective of the people who made it, and the generation that grew up on it this is one must have piece of literature - - (...to boot, almost all of my favorite radio shows were covered... atleast in brief !)

While reading this book, I was once again 9 years old, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of our old Philco, slurping Cheerioats all over my school clothes, but determined not to miss Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders or the Lone Ranger. With just the quote of a jingle or a telling announcer's phrase, Gerald Nachman evokes a whole era and and important segment of our social history. It's a complete history, from crystal sets to Don Imus, with tremendous good stuff in between, especially juicy tidbits about Red Skelton and Arthur Godfrey. To the other reviewer who quibbled with Nachman's accuracy regarding Adlai Stevenson in 1960--he WAS a presidential candidate during the convention, just not on the national ticket. Picky-picky! I heartily recommend this wonderful book to everyone, but especially to those aging nostalgiacs like me who love getting back to their childhood if just for a few hours. Don't touch that dial!