YA?A fascinating look at the history of radio, both as a source of entertainment and of news. Lackman gives synopses of hundreds of the old favorite shows, from the 1920s on, with airtimes, short biographies of relevant personalities and network figures, and excellent descriptions of radio genres such as the popular mysteries and soap operas. Also included is information on news broadcasts including Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," and news reporters turned entertainers such as Edward R. Murrow, Gabriel Heatter, and Elmer Davis. The black-and-white photographs aptly create a feeling for the times. The index is comprehensive. Appendixes list information about sponsors, museums, newsletters, chronologies of radio events in the United States and Canada, and other interesting data.
