Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Edward R. Murrow: And The Birth Of Broadcast Journalism, Library Edition

jjares avatar reviewed on + 3384 more book reviews


The beauty of this audio set is that the voice of Edward R Murrow is liberally sprinkled throughout the performance and the book is read by its author. Considering the huge impact Ed Murrow had on broadcast journalism, it is shocking to find out that he died right after celebrating his 57th birthday.

At its inception, radio was a medium that offered live broadcasts as well as other entertainments. However, Murrow thought it was important (in the 1930s & 1940s) to explain to unconcerned Americans what was really going on in Europe, leading up to and during World War II. Murrow unmasked Senator McCarthy to the American public. However, Murrow fell to corporate politics and the rating games at CBS.

In spite of the short length of this audio (4 CDs and 4.5 hours), the author is pithy and really understands his subject. The 'Afterword' was particularly interesting. I feel that I know so much more about Edward R Murrow after hearing this audio.