Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism (Turning Points in History, 12)

Great book on history of broadcast journalism. The audiobook is especially good.

I read this book primarily because I had used a quote by Mr. Murrow in one of my books. The quote was "The obscure we see eventually, the completely apparent takes longer." I asked for permission to use it, which I didn't really need, from the Univ. of Washington where Murrow attended. They could not find it and referred me to Janet Murrow, Ed's wife. She gave me permission. This contact motivated me to read the book. I was happy to learn about the man who really gave birth to broadcast journalism. It is an interesting, educational read. Dr. Norman Jones author of The Untold Story About How Unions Took Over Illinois Government.

We really enjoyed the book, as we are and have been fans of Ed Murrow's since childhood. I can still hear his voice: "This is London." My only disappointment with the book was that it was so short! I just finished a 1100 page book on Walter Cronkite, and I was expecting at least a 300 to 400 page book on Edward R. Murrow. There were so many details that were left out. I wonder why Bob Edwards did not write more? Surely there was plenty of material there!

I read this whole book in one sitting. I could not help but to keep reading. It takes you on a journey through history while immortalizing a true sculptor of the broadcast industry. Beautifully written. I highly recommend it. Closing comments by the author are eye opening regarding the industry today and its role in politics. Read it with " Citizens of London".

historic

I loved reading this book -- Edward R. Murrow is a legend and it was fascinating to read about his life and how he transformed two news platforms -- radio and television. He was a man of principle and great intelligence, and the writing style and anecdotes captured who he was as a journalist and a man.

Murrow's story is inspiring and interesting. However, Bob Edwards is not nearly as good a writer as he is a broadcaster (on NPR). Most of his paragraphs are purely descriptive, with little "snap" or "style". Overall, it's a good book about a great man, but could have been a great book about a great man.

A very good book by another good broadcast journalist, Bob Edwards. I can recall Murrow in the 1950s slugging it out with Sen. Joe McCarthy, and Edwards puts this and Murrow's other accomplishments into perspective, as well as filling in his life story. Edwards also contrasts Murrow's style with the current substance-free style of news reporting practiced by most radio and TV outlets now - and even the print media. Thank heaven for NPR and public television!

A magnificent book about a magnificent man.

A term coined for him, 'broadcast journalist', fits uniquely for Mr Murrow. Every journalist or student of a journalism school should read. Brilliant.