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A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio
The host of The Bob Edwards Show and Bob Edwards Weekend on Sirius XM Radio, Bob Edwards became the first radio personality with a large national audience to take his chances in the new field of satellite radio. The programs' mix of long-form interviews and news documentaries has won many prestigious awards.
For thirty years, Louisville native Edwards was the voice of National Public Radio's daily newsmagazine programs, co-hosting All Things Considered before launching Morning Edition in 1979. These programs built NPR's national audience while also bringing Edwards to national prominence. In 2004, however, NPR announced that it would be finding a replacement for Edwards, inciting protests from tens of thousands of his fans and controversy among his listeners and fellow broadcasters. Today, Edwards continues to inform the American public with a voice known for its sincerity, intelligence, and wit.
In A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio, Edwards recounts his career as one of the most important figures in modern broadcasting. He describes his road to success on the radio waves, from his early days knocking on station doors during college and working for American Forces Korea Network to his work at NPR and induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2004. Edwards tells the story of his exit from NPR and the launch of his new radio ventures on the XM Satellite Radio network. Throughout the book, his sharp observations about the people he interviewed and covered and the colleagues with whom he worked offer a window on forty years of American news and on the evolution of public journalism.
A Voice in the Box is an insider's account of the world of American media and a fascinating, personal narrative from one of the most iconic personalities in radio history.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 20, 2015
When I saw "Bob Edwards" I pounced on this Netgalley offering, and was glad to be granted access – thank you to them. Probably twenty years ago a friend twigged me on to NPR, and I didn't look at another radio station for years. The only reason I stopped listening in 2008 was that I reached my tolerance level for politics and had to have music – but I missed Morning Edition and All Things Considered...
The rest of this review can be found here, on Booklikes, and here, on my blog. However, I will no longer be posting reviews on Goodreads, due to its recent changes to terms of service and, far worse, the boneheaded and incomprehensible way it is proceeding with the new policy. Deleting content, almost randomly, and without warning (whatever they may have said) is wrong, and a half-hearted apology later doesn't make it all better. Failing to provide a sitewide announcement is wrong. Failing to address users' very legitimate concern over the situation is wrong.
I'm not going to leave GR while I have good friends remaining here, but I will no longer post anything but links for reviews. I'm not what anyone would call a heavy hitter, but I have breached the top reviewers lists from time to time. I have a healthy number of people following my reviews (thanks, all). If nothing else, I want to plant a seed.
I will also no longer perform librarian functions, however much missing covers and bad information annoys me: I will no longer contribute to a site which cares so little about its users. Again, I'm no heavy hitter as a librarian – but I had about 1500 edits to my name, and there are at least a couple dozen I could have made in the past few weeks and refrained. I was an asset to the site, albeit a small one. I'm not anymore. That is what Goodreads' actions have caused.
The rest of this review can be found here, on Booklikes, and here, on my blog. However, I will no longer be posting reviews on Goodreads, due to its recent changes to terms of service and, far worse, the boneheaded and incomprehensible way it is proceeding with the new policy. Deleting content, almost randomly, and without warning (whatever they may have said) is wrong, and a half-hearted apology later doesn't make it all better. Failing to provide a sitewide announcement is wrong. Failing to address users' very legitimate concern over the situation is wrong.
I'm not going to leave GR while I have good friends remaining here, but I will no longer post anything but links for reviews. I'm not what anyone would call a heavy hitter, but I have breached the top reviewers lists from time to time. I have a healthy number of people following my reviews (thanks, all). If nothing else, I want to plant a seed.
I will also no longer perform librarian functions, however much missing covers and bad information annoys me: I will no longer contribute to a site which cares so little about its users. Again, I'm no heavy hitter as a librarian – but I had about 1500 edits to my name, and there are at least a couple dozen I could have made in the past few weeks and refrained. I was an asset to the site, albeit a small one. I'm not anymore. That is what Goodreads' actions have caused.
July 9, 2018
I was and still am a big fan of Bob Edwards from his NPR days and especially "Friday's With Red'. I remember being so upset when he was demoted and eventually left NPR; I almost stopped listening but who can leave WYSO? The book was very interesting as a biography (final chapter still to be written). Since the book was written, he has married Windsor Johnson, a NPR news anchor, his 3rd marriage. I imagine he could be difficult to live with and can understand his career desire to be a broadcaster; which it seems he must have put before his family; a struggle many marriages go through. I learned a great deal about him and remember touring NPR in Washington and being in awe as he prepared for an interview and conducted it. I'm still a fan and miss him in the mornings.
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April 21, 2020In his long career in radio, Bob Edwards has interviewed many interesting people, and their stories make an entertaining part of this book. His own story is interesting too, considering his involvement in the history of broadcast journalism and the development of public radio from its beginnings in All Things Considered and Morning Edition. However, because he chooses to open with the almost simultaneous events in 2004 of his being removed as host of Morning Edition and leaving NPR and his induction to the Radio Hall of Fame, a note of bitterness colors the whole. Even the chapters at the end describing his subsequent successes on XM Radio fail to overcome the sense that he feels he was unfairly treated by NPR management. Still, anyone in these days of COVID-19 turning more than ever to NPR for reliable reporting and thoughtful interpretation will find this book both entertaining and informative.
April 22, 2019
An interesting memoir
Before I started listening to podcasts, NPR was part of my commute to and from work. One of the voices I heard regularly was Bob Edwards, so I was interested to read his memoir. Though it's a bit dated now, it was still a fascinating look at the radio news. It also reminded me of the irritating way NPR had of pointing out the flaws of conservatives and not those of others. Still, this was a rewarding read.
Before I started listening to podcasts, NPR was part of my commute to and from work. One of the voices I heard regularly was Bob Edwards, so I was interested to read his memoir. Though it's a bit dated now, it was still a fascinating look at the radio news. It also reminded me of the irritating way NPR had of pointing out the flaws of conservatives and not those of others. Still, this was a rewarding read.
August 16, 2021
An autobiography of Bob Edwards, first host of NPR Morning Edition. Written with great humor and charity to NPR. They fired him and then lied about it. He had the last laugh, bc XM radio hired him at a significant increase in salary plus a several thousand bonus. I loved the back stories of the featured articles.
November 29, 2021
A Voice You Need to Hear…
I’ve always loved Bob Edwards’ voice and his style. One of my favorite things to listen to were his weekly conversations with Red Barber (I am apparently one of the few who read his book about those interviews).
He’s no less professional and engaging in this memoir than he is on-air. This is a great read and well worth your time and money.
I’ve always loved Bob Edwards’ voice and his style. One of my favorite things to listen to were his weekly conversations with Red Barber (I am apparently one of the few who read his book about those interviews).
He’s no less professional and engaging in this memoir than he is on-air. This is a great read and well worth your time and money.
May 30, 2024
Bob Edwards died February 10, 2024. I dearly missed hearing him on a daily basis when NPR let him go in 2004. This memoir of his is nice. It's full of talk-show-like stories about his career in Radio. A quick read and I was able to read it with Bob's voice in my head.
January 8, 2018
I got this book in Kindle free when it was first published, so it was my FIRST Kindle read.
Interesting and insightful.
Interesting and insightful.
March 2, 2012
A Voice in the Box has plenty of fun and interesting anecdotes, but there are two things that bother me:
Edwards has an axe to grind with NPR. It's justifiable--they done him wrong--but one would think a journalist would get to the bottom of his own story about the actual reasons he was fired instead of saying "it was unfair, and to this day I don't know why they did it."
The chronology of the book doesn't seem to follow any pattern. I understand that there's a narrative point to starting in the middle of the action, moving back to the beginning, and finishing after this point, but Edwards story jumps around just enough to be annoying and to call attention to itself.
That said, if you're a fan of Bob Edwards, or NPR news programming, it's probably worth a read. Especially if you got it for free off Amazon when they were running their promotion. Among "reporter stories" memoirs, however, the writings of people who spent more time in the field as cub reporters and correspondents (see: Walter Cronkite) and less time behind a microphone are more compelling.
Edwards has an axe to grind with NPR. It's justifiable--they done him wrong--but one would think a journalist would get to the bottom of his own story about the actual reasons he was fired instead of saying "it was unfair, and to this day I don't know why they did it."
The chronology of the book doesn't seem to follow any pattern. I understand that there's a narrative point to starting in the middle of the action, moving back to the beginning, and finishing after this point, but Edwards story jumps around just enough to be annoying and to call attention to itself.
That said, if you're a fan of Bob Edwards, or NPR news programming, it's probably worth a read. Especially if you got it for free off Amazon when they were running their promotion. Among "reporter stories" memoirs, however, the writings of people who spent more time in the field as cub reporters and correspondents (see: Walter Cronkite) and less time behind a microphone are more compelling.
September 5, 2011
When Morning Edition debuted on NPR in 1979 Bob Edwards was its original host, and he stayed in that job for almost 25 years as Morning Edition became one of the most popular shows on the radio. Then, inexplicably, he was fired in 2004, a hugely unpopular move. At the time I had already been considering subscribing to satellite radio, so when he was hired almost immediately by XM Satellite Radio to host his own hour-long, in-depth interview show I signed up and largely based on his show I'm still a subscriber today. Bob Edwards has continued to make some of the best shows on the radio, so good in fact that NPR could not resist--a digest of his daily satellite shows is now part of NPR's weekend lineup. This book is the story of his life in radio, and it will be fascinating to anyone interested in the early days and evolution of NPR, satellite radio and Bob Edwards himself.
October 22, 2011
I finished reading Bob's book last night. I loved every page. I look forward to the next 30,000 interviews and hope one is with Paul McCartney. : )
Way to go Ariana Pekary on "Stories from Third Med, Surviving a Jungle" I agree with Bob that it is the best thing I have ever heard on the radio. http://www.bobedwards.info/ftopic742....
Way to go Steve Lickteig, Dan Bloom, Chad Campbell, Andy Danyo Kubis, Cristy Meiners, Ed McNulty, Geoffrey Redick, and Shelley Tillman. Sounds like you have a great boss that gives you freedom to use your creativity. I wish I could do what you do. I love the show and listen to everyone of them. Some are so good I listen to it two or three times. The best thing on the radio!
Way to go Windsor Johnston by making it necessarily to change the last sentence on page 200 for the second edition. I am so happy for you both.
Way to go Ariana Pekary on "Stories from Third Med, Surviving a Jungle" I agree with Bob that it is the best thing I have ever heard on the radio. http://www.bobedwards.info/ftopic742....
Way to go Steve Lickteig, Dan Bloom, Chad Campbell, Andy Danyo Kubis, Cristy Meiners, Ed McNulty, Geoffrey Redick, and Shelley Tillman. Sounds like you have a great boss that gives you freedom to use your creativity. I wish I could do what you do. I love the show and listen to everyone of them. Some are so good I listen to it two or three times. The best thing on the radio!
Way to go Windsor Johnston by making it necessarily to change the last sentence on page 200 for the second edition. I am so happy for you both.
September 18, 2011
I might not have read this if I hadn't gotten a tweet from Romenesko that it was being offered free on Amazon. For me, a long-time public radio listener, it was worth it.
The book traces Bob Edwards's early life in Kentucky, his education and military background, and his radio career. Edwards follows an unusual organizational structure, sometimes chronological, sometimes thematic, but it doesn't really detract from the book.
As someone who was shocked and dismayed by his summary firing from NPR, I was glad to hear that the action was as underhanded and ill-intentioned as it seemed to all of us loyal listeners at the time. One-sided? Sure. Am I interested in hearing yet another (likely mendacious) justification from NPR? Not in the least.
The book traces Bob Edwards's early life in Kentucky, his education and military background, and his radio career. Edwards follows an unusual organizational structure, sometimes chronological, sometimes thematic, but it doesn't really detract from the book.
As someone who was shocked and dismayed by his summary firing from NPR, I was glad to hear that the action was as underhanded and ill-intentioned as it seemed to all of us loyal listeners at the time. One-sided? Sure. Am I interested in hearing yet another (likely mendacious) justification from NPR? Not in the least.
March 28, 2012
Mr. Edwards truely believes that he is middle of the road politically and superior journalistically. A person who either is not aware of personel bias or refuses to admit to such is a zealot.
Had he simply admitted his (and NPR's) bias I could have enjoyed his stories more. Instead I was contantly on edge looking for the hidden purpose behind what he had to say. Zealots, both from the left and from the right, never miss an opportunity to manipulate those with whom they are communicating.
If you enjoy the subtle yet constant bashing of everything counter to the NPR way of thinking you will very much enjoy this book. Otherwise I think you are probably better off skipping it.
Had he simply admitted his (and NPR's) bias I could have enjoyed his stories more. Instead I was contantly on edge looking for the hidden purpose behind what he had to say. Zealots, both from the left and from the right, never miss an opportunity to manipulate those with whom they are communicating.
If you enjoy the subtle yet constant bashing of everything counter to the NPR way of thinking you will very much enjoy this book. Otherwise I think you are probably better off skipping it.
April 30, 2012
having spent many mornings listening to NPR reading familiar names was almost like looking at a yearbook. (Oh! I remember that name. Yep, I remember the Letters from Kosovo series, etc). good thing because there is a LOT of people named in this book. Not sure a person not familiar with NPR would follow along as well in the beginning of the book- moves a little slow.
i did enjoy learning more about the structure of NPR and public radio. I ,too, was under the assumption NPR was the big umbrella of a lot of programs - never really recognizing PRI and others as a separate entity.
If you were a follower of NPR during Bob Edwards reign I think you'll enjoy the book.
i did enjoy learning more about the structure of NPR and public radio. I ,too, was under the assumption NPR was the big umbrella of a lot of programs - never really recognizing PRI and others as a separate entity.
If you were a follower of NPR during Bob Edwards reign I think you'll enjoy the book.
September 20, 2011
I've been a long-time KCRW/NPR listener so I recognized many of the names in Bob Edwards' book (Sylvia Poggioli, Noah Adams, Susan Stamberg, Red Barber). Anecdotes about putting the radio shows Morning Edition and All Things Considered made for a pleasant reading experience.
According to Edwards, NPR's management really botched the way they handled his "departure" from the network. Sigh. Incompetent management is everywhere.
The book concludes with a few chapters that feel a plug for his satellite radio program.
According to Edwards, NPR's management really botched the way they handled his "departure" from the network. Sigh. Incompetent management is everywhere.
The book concludes with a few chapters that feel a plug for his satellite radio program.
November 30, 2011
I've listened to public radio several times each day for 28 years. Like millions of others I woke up with Bob Edwards, showered with Bob Edwards and have vivid memories of many of his wonderful interviews. I really wanted to read about his life, his motivations, his stories and of course his wrenching and rechid departure from NPR and the start of his own radio show on Serious. He covered all the bases. What blockheads the NPR mangament were at the time - let us hope they can do better in the future. I'm so glad Bob's life has moved on in such a positive and productive and happy way.
June 7, 2016
Bob had an amazing career before and during his time at NPR. His early days in radio really spotlight how much has changed in broadcasting and in a very short time. I wish this had been a biography rather than a memoir. Bob has some great stories but further detail into many of them and some more context would have really added to the book. Some of the most interesting stories about NPR are too short for those of us that listen regularly and are interested in the early days of the entity. I'm almost done and am satisfied, but I had hoped for more depth regarding the early days of NPR.
July 18, 2016
It's not surprising that a radio journalist would be able to write a comfortable, easy-to-read memoir! Fortunately for the reader, he didn't lapse into name-dropping, although he felt free to mention names of both colleagues and news makers as they were relevant to his story.
I was surprised at NPR's attitude problem (as he presents it) and to learn that, for all of the front-office make-nice messages I remember at the time,Edwards' experience was that he actually was fired right before the 10th anniversary of "his" show, Morning Edition. It makes me think I'm not cynical enough...
I was surprised at NPR's attitude problem (as he presents it) and to learn that, for all of the front-office make-nice messages I remember at the time,Edwards' experience was that he actually was fired right before the 10th anniversary of "his" show, Morning Edition. It makes me think I'm not cynical enough...
September 5, 2011
Recommended for anyone interested in Bob Edwards himself (duh) or the history of radio. Interesting read about Edwards' career but also the early days of NPR and XM. It was nice to finally hear Edwards' side of the story about his departure from NPR, which was far more sordid than anyone on the outside could have known.
This book is available for free eBook download until 9/9 from any eBook retailer.
This book is available for free eBook download until 9/9 from any eBook retailer.
September 18, 2011
Take that, ya lousy jerks!
Bob Edwards talks about working at NPR until his bitter dismissal by the bigwigs. It is hard to know who is truly at fault, but Edwards tells his side of the story and gets his revenge. This book will be of more interest to NPR listeners than to those who never it.
Bob Edwards talks about working at NPR until his bitter dismissal by the bigwigs. It is hard to know who is truly at fault, but Edwards tells his side of the story and gets his revenge. This book will be of more interest to NPR listeners than to those who never it.
September 8, 2011
Who would have thought that Bob Edwards could be so whiny, and would use a book like this to settle old scores?
September 15, 2011
Great volume, as Bob recounts his odyssey from childhood Kentucky through now. Bob fans, npr junkies, xm listeners should all enjoy it.
September 29, 2011
This book is filled with great stories
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March 26, 2012For a man who was treated seemingly unfairly by a company he had given many decades of his life, Bob Edwards writes in a very non-combative form and with an ease that makes you want to turn the page.
April 25, 2012
Not bad, but I would have appreciated more storytelling from someone with his history, and stories...
July 15, 2012
Excellent look at true journalism. Eventhough he is liberal, I appreciate the fact that his desire is to get the full story and to convey that to his listeners.
August 11, 2012
For anyone who likes public radio. It really touched a chord for me, since I have worked at public radio in the past, and have also been fired from a station with no explanation.
February 16, 2013
Great insights into the history of NPR.
June 18, 2014
I just got bored with this about 200 pages in.
June 3, 2016
Interesting book if you knew Bob or were a listener.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews