Larry Kane arrived in Philadelphia to take a job as a radio broadcaster in 1966. These are his reminiscences, covering everything from government and politics to the trials of a journalist trying to cover them. He also talks personally about personalities such as Frank Rizzo and Ed Rendell.
Larry Kane writes a very deep memoir, delivering strong messages of which the premier truism was one that moved me to tears.
I left Philadelphia in the early 80's; moving to locations where Philadelphia and gifted artists were cited enough times that it spiked my curiosity wanting to know what was it about this city that seemed to produce this talent. And then I opened Larry Kane's memoir where there he explained it--taking me back to memories of my family's passionate discussions. I can't begin to describe how meaningful that message was to me.
Transcending through Kane's interesting career honestly relayed, him often paring journalism today to the past, I again thought back to my parents...and their parents...and deep into the generations recalling many wondering what was becoming of the newer generations. I used to tease them all the time; `Why wonder? You raised us' --which none too ironic is the same driver I found conveyed in Kane's passionate Philadelphia driving journalism today. Caroline Kennedy's quote supports this contention. This is a profound keepsake of a memoir, to which I must add, Larry Kane (for me) will always be synonymous with Action News.
Great way to reminisce of events of Philadelphia in a period where I was born and raised. Larry Kane provides a perspective view on things and people as a journalist that we the public would never think of or even see. Thank you to Larry Kane for such a wonderfully interesting book.
A great read for a non-native Philadelphian like myself. I have not seen author Larry Kane anchor or cover the news, but now I feel as if I have been right there with him. Published in 2000, it is a bit out of date in terms of current politics, but the stories still entertain and teach lessons about the people who make Philadelphia politics what it was and is; particularly interesting were Kane's stories about Mayor Frank Rizzo, eyewitness recounting of the MOVE stand-off controversy. Given Kane's life and experience, there are not a great deal of stories about specific Philadelphians who are not 'movers & shakers', but Kane obviously loves media, news, politics, and most importantly, Philadelphia; moreover, he inspires his reader to love all of the above, especially Philadelphia.
If you are from Philadelphia, you'll love this book. I was born in '64 so some of the events that Larry refers to in the late 60's I don't remember but it's a great history of the politics of Philadelphia and the major news stories of the past 60's through the 90's. I don't particularly enjoy politics but this book definitely kept my interest. It was also interesting to hear about the "politics" of the newsrooms of all three of the major networks in Philadelphia.