9XM Talking: WHA Radio and the Wisconsin Idea

by Randall Davidson

Randall Davidson provides a comprehensive history of the innovative work of Wisconsin's educational radio stations. Beginning with the first broadcast by experimental station 9XM at the University of Wisconsin, followed by WHA, through the state-owned affiliate WLBL, to the network of stations that in the years following WWII formed the Wisconsin Public Radio network, Davidson describes how, with homemade equipment and ideas developed from scratch, public radio became a tangible example of the Wisconsin Idea, bringing the educational riches of the university to all the state's residents. Marking the centennial year of Wisconsin Public Radio, this paperback edition includes a new foreword by Bill Siemering, National Public Radio's founding director of programming.

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2006

Reviews

[Ryan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love of public radio and Wisconsin collide in one book. This book is a detailed history of educational and public radio in the state. It gets a bit wonky with some of the details, but the details are also what bring it to life. A fascinating must read for lovers of public radio. If you’re not from Wisco read with a map near by.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting in the earlier chapters, talking about 9XM/WHA's role in the advent of both broadcast radio and public radio. Later, as WHA feels more and more like public radio of today, the book doesn't capture my interest as much. Overall, though, a very good historical tale.

[Vicki_Loves_Libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very detailed....