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Studs Terkel: Politics, Culture, but Mostly Conversation
Studs Terkel was an American icon who had no use for America’s cult of celebrity. He was a leftist who valued human beings over political dogma. In scores of books and thousands of radio and television broadcasts, Studs paid attention – and respect – to “ordinary” human beings of all classes and colors, as they talked about their lives as workers, dreamers, survivors. Alan Wieder’s Studs Politics, Culture, But Mostly Conversation is the first comprehensive book about this man.
Drawing from over one hundred interviews of people who knew and worked with Studs, Alan Wieder creates a multi-dimensional portrait of a run-of-the-mill guy from Chicago who, in public life, became an acclaimed author and raconteur, while managing, in his private life, to remain a mensch. We see Studs, the eminent oral historian, the inveterate and selfless supporter of radical causes, especially civil rights. We see the actor, the writer, the radio host, the jazz lover, whose early work in television earned him a notorious place on the McCarthy blacklist. We also see Studs the family man and devoted husband to his adored wife, Ida.
Studs Politics, Culture, But Mostly Conversation allows us to realize the importance of reaching through our own daily realities – increasingly clogged with disembodied, impersonal interaction – to find value in actual face-time with real humans. Wieder’s book also shows us why such contact might be crucial to those of us in movements rising up against global tyranny and injustice. The book is simply the best introduction available to this remarkable man. Reading it will lead people to Terkel’s enormous body of work, with benefits they will cherish throughout their lives.
Drawing from over one hundred interviews of people who knew and worked with Studs, Alan Wieder creates a multi-dimensional portrait of a run-of-the-mill guy from Chicago who, in public life, became an acclaimed author and raconteur, while managing, in his private life, to remain a mensch. We see Studs, the eminent oral historian, the inveterate and selfless supporter of radical causes, especially civil rights. We see the actor, the writer, the radio host, the jazz lover, whose early work in television earned him a notorious place on the McCarthy blacklist. We also see Studs the family man and devoted husband to his adored wife, Ida.
Studs Politics, Culture, But Mostly Conversation allows us to realize the importance of reaching through our own daily realities – increasingly clogged with disembodied, impersonal interaction – to find value in actual face-time with real humans. Wieder’s book also shows us why such contact might be crucial to those of us in movements rising up against global tyranny and injustice. The book is simply the best introduction available to this remarkable man. Reading it will lead people to Terkel’s enormous body of work, with benefits they will cherish throughout their lives.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Alan Wieder
8 books5 followersHello. My name is Alan Wieder. It just so happens that in 2005, the Year of the Rooster, I acted like a real cock. It was an interesting coincidence. I wrote a book about it. It's out now. I'm still kind of a cock, but now I'm a published author, so F.U. Just kiddin'. I love you all.
I am a writer and producer in Los Angeles. I graduated Columbia University in 1995 with honors and once planned on attending a high-falutin’ PhD program in Comparative Literature -–before, through a strange twist of fate, I wound up pursuing a career in decidedly low-falutin’ reality television.
As a producer, I worked on a bunch of schlocky shows that critics liked to claim spelled the end of respectable culture: Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire -- you name it, I was a part of it in some way. Along with my producing partner Steve Sobel, I was one of the creators of the smash-hit My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé for FOX.
Steve and I got a break a few years ago and are now writing feature films for several major studios. Sometimes I miss toying with people's minds for a living. Year of the Cock is my first book.
I was born in Miami Beach in 1974 of an uptight-little-French-lady mother and an obscenely hirsute father. Neither are happy with how they are portrayed in my book. I live with my girlfriend Carley, my three-year-old son Roman, and my rather dimwitted schnauzer Cosmo.
I am no longer obsessed with my penis, which gives me a lot more time to think about my g.f.'s vagina.
Thanks for visiting, and feel free to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.
I am a writer and producer in Los Angeles. I graduated Columbia University in 1995 with honors and once planned on attending a high-falutin’ PhD program in Comparative Literature -–before, through a strange twist of fate, I wound up pursuing a career in decidedly low-falutin’ reality television.
As a producer, I worked on a bunch of schlocky shows that critics liked to claim spelled the end of respectable culture: Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire -- you name it, I was a part of it in some way. Along with my producing partner Steve Sobel, I was one of the creators of the smash-hit My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé for FOX.
Steve and I got a break a few years ago and are now writing feature films for several major studios. Sometimes I miss toying with people's minds for a living. Year of the Cock is my first book.
I was born in Miami Beach in 1974 of an uptight-little-French-lady mother and an obscenely hirsute father. Neither are happy with how they are portrayed in my book. I live with my girlfriend Carley, my three-year-old son Roman, and my rather dimwitted schnauzer Cosmo.
I am no longer obsessed with my penis, which gives me a lot more time to think about my g.f.'s vagina.
Thanks for visiting, and feel free to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 23, 2018
As an older fan of Studs, I enjoyed this bio thru a recap of his books, writings, radio shows, and interviews over his 70 year career.
He was indeed a treasure. I suspect those younger than say 50 or 60 will find it difficult to relate to the world and politics that shaped Studs and his era.
He experienced first hand the depression, WWII, segregation, KKK killings, black migration north, McCarthyism and black listing, FBI harassment of left wing progressives, Daley's brutality towards the anti-Vietnam War demonstrators at the Dem Convention, Chicago, 1968, and the emergence of Jazz.
One oddity is to see Kucinich as one of Studs' heros, a 3rd party hopeful back in 200x, but today K is after Trump voters!?
Personally, I enjoyed reconnecting w/ names and causes I had forgotten about, eg Barry Commoner, IWW, Royko, ...
Lots of name dropping in the book but clearly the relationship Studs had with these folks was sincere. They include Seeger, Ali, Marian Anderson, J. Baldwin, Robeson, E. Till's mother, and many others I am not familiar with.
The radio interview w/ Dylan when he was unknown was fun to hear on YouTube. Studs called him a 20th century Huck Finn b/c of his looks.
Reminders from the book - H. Wallace, the socialist was FDR's VP in 1940 but dropped in '44 when thought too progressive. What if he had become Pres when FDR died in office?
He was indeed a treasure. I suspect those younger than say 50 or 60 will find it difficult to relate to the world and politics that shaped Studs and his era.
He experienced first hand the depression, WWII, segregation, KKK killings, black migration north, McCarthyism and black listing, FBI harassment of left wing progressives, Daley's brutality towards the anti-Vietnam War demonstrators at the Dem Convention, Chicago, 1968, and the emergence of Jazz.
One oddity is to see Kucinich as one of Studs' heros, a 3rd party hopeful back in 200x, but today K is after Trump voters!?
Personally, I enjoyed reconnecting w/ names and causes I had forgotten about, eg Barry Commoner, IWW, Royko, ...
Lots of name dropping in the book but clearly the relationship Studs had with these folks was sincere. They include Seeger, Ali, Marian Anderson, J. Baldwin, Robeson, E. Till's mother, and many others I am not familiar with.
The radio interview w/ Dylan when he was unknown was fun to hear on YouTube. Studs called him a 20th century Huck Finn b/c of his looks.
Reminders from the book - H. Wallace, the socialist was FDR's VP in 1940 but dropped in '44 when thought too progressive. What if he had become Pres when FDR died in office?
Displaying 1 of 1 review