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Good Day!: The Paul Harvey Story
"Hello Americans, I'm Paul Harvey."
He was the voice of an era. Millions grew up listening to Paul Harvey News and Comment and The Rest of the Story, and trusted the great man who spoke for the little guy.
Good Day! by Paul J. Batura follows the remarkable life of one of the founding fathers of the news media. Paul Harvey started his career during the Great Depression and narrated America's story day by day, through wars and peace, the threat of communism and the crumbling of old colonial powers, consumer booms and eventual busts. In Good Day!, you'll follow,
* How he became "Paul Harvey"
* The remarkable adversity he confronted in his early years
* How he revolutionized the radio industry with his wife, Evelyn
* How a president wanted to "roast" him "good"
* How he was nearly jailed for pursuing a scoop
Paul J. Batura's Good Day! is a colorful biography of the radio pioneer-turned-legend whose guiding light saw the country through dark times. Whether he was covering racial tensions, terrorist attacks, or which vitamins to take, Paul Harvey articulated the American experience for average people making their way in a world too large for quick comprehension. Harvey brought them that world "in dime store words," with a sense of optimism and faith, and with a deep love for America. Here is Harvey's story, the rest of the story, as he would tell it himself.
He was the voice of an era. Millions grew up listening to Paul Harvey News and Comment and The Rest of the Story, and trusted the great man who spoke for the little guy.
Good Day! by Paul J. Batura follows the remarkable life of one of the founding fathers of the news media. Paul Harvey started his career during the Great Depression and narrated America's story day by day, through wars and peace, the threat of communism and the crumbling of old colonial powers, consumer booms and eventual busts. In Good Day!, you'll follow,
* How he became "Paul Harvey"
* The remarkable adversity he confronted in his early years
* How he revolutionized the radio industry with his wife, Evelyn
* How a president wanted to "roast" him "good"
* How he was nearly jailed for pursuing a scoop
Paul J. Batura's Good Day! is a colorful biography of the radio pioneer-turned-legend whose guiding light saw the country through dark times. Whether he was covering racial tensions, terrorist attacks, or which vitamins to take, Paul Harvey articulated the American experience for average people making their way in a world too large for quick comprehension. Harvey brought them that world "in dime store words," with a sense of optimism and faith, and with a deep love for America. Here is Harvey's story, the rest of the story, as he would tell it himself.
291 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2009
35 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 13, 2022
Paul Harvey had many qualities that I admire - humble, gracious, hard-working, determined, conservative, willing to stand for his convictions, he resonated with the average American and was not too concerned about the exclusive and elite, he was a gentleman. He clearly was devoted to his wife and they worked well together. In the end I almost found the litany of praise to be a bit monotonous he was almost set forth as a paragon.
As with many celebrities on their climb to the top and struggle to stay there, often their families are set to one side. I found it very sad in the chapter "The Rest of the Story" to read this, "Everything comes with a price. With his father jetting across the country much of his life, Paul Jr. turned to music as a refuge and outlet. 'The piano has been my friend for a very long time, particularly during my youth when my father was away from home a lot!...'" Even though Paul Jr. maintained a close relationship with his parents, I have to wonder how much deeper that relationship would have been if his parents would have spent more time at home, with Paul Jr.
There were quite a few typos in the book. The proofreader should have caught.
Paul Harvey was clearly a man who believed in God. And even though the book talked about his baptism, there was no clear testimony of him putting his personal faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour from sin. Nor of his wife or son. Paul seemed to be comfortable with all "christian" groups and did not condemn any, which makes me wonder how much understanding he really had of the different denominations and what the Bible teaches.
Paul Harvey was truly a pioneer of radio with his own unique style, talent and presentation. I wish we had more Paul Harvey's today
As with many celebrities on their climb to the top and struggle to stay there, often their families are set to one side. I found it very sad in the chapter "The Rest of the Story" to read this, "Everything comes with a price. With his father jetting across the country much of his life, Paul Jr. turned to music as a refuge and outlet. 'The piano has been my friend for a very long time, particularly during my youth when my father was away from home a lot!...'" Even though Paul Jr. maintained a close relationship with his parents, I have to wonder how much deeper that relationship would have been if his parents would have spent more time at home, with Paul Jr.
There were quite a few typos in the book. The proofreader should have caught.
Paul Harvey was clearly a man who believed in God. And even though the book talked about his baptism, there was no clear testimony of him putting his personal faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour from sin. Nor of his wife or son. Paul seemed to be comfortable with all "christian" groups and did not condemn any, which makes me wonder how much understanding he really had of the different denominations and what the Bible teaches.
Paul Harvey was truly a pioneer of radio with his own unique style, talent and presentation. I wish we had more Paul Harvey's today
June 4, 2023
I found this to be a really interesting book on the life of Paul Harvey. My memories of hearing him are from years ago, but he made a memorable impression. This book brought him to life for me. He was industrious, honorable, humble, and a man of integrity his whole life. These are some of the qualities that made him the admirable person he was. I appreciated also learning about his wife, and what a great duo they were.
A couple quotes from the book (not from Paul Harvey himself, but an embodiment of who he was and some of his philosophies of life):
Speaking of Joseph Wood Krutch, Paul Harvey said, "He taught me that living is more important than making a living; that what makes news is rarely what makes history and that invention is the mother of necessity."
"Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error." Benjamin Rush
An informative and engaging book.
A couple quotes from the book (not from Paul Harvey himself, but an embodiment of who he was and some of his philosophies of life):
Speaking of Joseph Wood Krutch, Paul Harvey said, "He taught me that living is more important than making a living; that what makes news is rarely what makes history and that invention is the mother of necessity."
"Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error." Benjamin Rush
An informative and engaging book.
March 17, 2022
This book felt like a highlight reel and yet still very much full of the story of Paul Harvey’s life.
As many did, I grew up with the sound of his broadcasts throughout my childhood. Sunday evenings included my father and I eating ice cream while listening to “The Rest of the Story”.
Although I knew he had been in broadcasting for forever, I was unaware he started in 1933 as a young teenager.
He had an absolute love of his wife, known to all as Angel, and he proposed the very first day they met and continued to until she finally agreed. Angel managed, researched, wrote, coordinated, and in every way drove his career. They had a magical career and life together for over 65 years only for Paul to pass less than ten months after his Angel.
Here’s the part that truly threw me off: when Paul was a child in Tulsa, his father was killed in the line of duty as part of the police department. The two shooters were Alvis Fears and Tom Cook.
Why did this seem so shocking to me? My grandmother grew up in Tulsa at the same time in the early 1920s as one of 12 children. Her maiden name was Cook. So here I am digging through our family’s history and genealogy in hopes that I’m wrong and a member of my family didn’t kill Paul Harvey’s father. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.
What I also learned while reading this biography is that there’s a podcast titled Harrold’s Old Time Radio that includes several episodes of Paul Harvey’s Rest of the Story. In the trying times we live in now, it’s nice to listen and enjoy the familiar voice once again distracting you from the world.
As many did, I grew up with the sound of his broadcasts throughout my childhood. Sunday evenings included my father and I eating ice cream while listening to “The Rest of the Story”.
Although I knew he had been in broadcasting for forever, I was unaware he started in 1933 as a young teenager.
He had an absolute love of his wife, known to all as Angel, and he proposed the very first day they met and continued to until she finally agreed. Angel managed, researched, wrote, coordinated, and in every way drove his career. They had a magical career and life together for over 65 years only for Paul to pass less than ten months after his Angel.
Here’s the part that truly threw me off: when Paul was a child in Tulsa, his father was killed in the line of duty as part of the police department. The two shooters were Alvis Fears and Tom Cook.
Why did this seem so shocking to me? My grandmother grew up in Tulsa at the same time in the early 1920s as one of 12 children. Her maiden name was Cook. So here I am digging through our family’s history and genealogy in hopes that I’m wrong and a member of my family didn’t kill Paul Harvey’s father. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.
What I also learned while reading this biography is that there’s a podcast titled Harrold’s Old Time Radio that includes several episodes of Paul Harvey’s Rest of the Story. In the trying times we live in now, it’s nice to listen and enjoy the familiar voice once again distracting you from the world.
January 29, 2014
Paul Harvey is a legend for our generation - sadly, future generations will have no idea who he was. His is not a name contained in history books, but he was a comforting, inspirational voice to so many over his long career in radio. Unfortunately, I did not feel that Batura gave his readers "the rest of the story." Much of the book details information about the radio stations Harvey worked for and seems more focused on the history of radio programming development than on Harvey's personal life. I felt a bit cheated that I didn't get a fuller picture of Harvey's personal life, struggles, ideals, etc.
October 9, 2013
I learned a lot about Paul Harvey, the man, and his wonderful marriage. He was one-of-a-kind. He demonstrates how one can succeed by exhibiting the Fruits of the Spirit. It's hard to find people with these types of values these days. He lived to be 90 years old. I wish he could have lived another 50 years. We will surely see him in heaven!
The author did a great job of researching for this book. It was an enjoyable read.
The author did a great job of researching for this book. It was an enjoyable read.
August 12, 2020
While there topic fascinated me I was more or less bored with the factual tone of the book. I'm very glad to have read it but it was a chore to get through.
July 7, 2025
As a life-long Tulsan and a fellow graduate of (the original) Central High School, I was drawn to “Good Day!” by Paul Batura, a biography of Paul Harvey. A fellow Tulsan who also graduated from Central (although many years prior my matriculation), Harvey rose to national prominence as a radio broadcaster from the 1940’s until 2008. I remember listening to him and indeed his voice, its cadence and richness, was nearly hypnotic. I always imagined him to be a ‘good’ man, and this bio certainly carves a picture of a good man, devoted husband, caring employer and just basically a nice guy. Indeed, it would seem he could do no wrong, and this is where I think this bio lacks some substance. Not long into the book, it seems clear this is certainly not going to be a ‘tell all’ or in-depth portrait but a paen to one of radio’s pioneers. Taken as such, it does a good job. It centers almost exclusively on his radio ‘life’ with little insight into his family life, his relationship with his son, or his thoughts on what became the ‘new journalism’ in the news world. All in all, it is well-written and researched and a must first-read for anyone interested in the details of Harvey’s radio career. As a balanced biography I give it 3 stars.
May 19, 2025
I'll be honest and admit that I only made it through 50 pages of this book. I wanted a biography of Paul Harvey, not so much extraneous material that I wondered if too much research had been done on the people and places surrounding the man because it was necessary to pad out the page count. I just read 4 pages about one of Paul Harvey's high school teachers. Four pages! There were a lot of descriptions of places where Paul could have visited and spent time or he might have shopped here or there. I guess I 'could have' skipped a lot of the book in order to 'spend time' with some actual content, but I just got very bogged down in superfluous information that I truly wasn't interested in.
Colour me disappointed.
Colour me disappointed.
August 19, 2017
Paul Harvey was the voice of America. From 1963 when I worked in Chicago until his passing, I was one of his audience who parked the car and waited for him to finish before running to my office door. This book brought back the sound of his voice and the warmth of his message.
America was blessed to have such a son. He made us think. He made us feel. He encouraged us to act.
Read the book.
America was blessed to have such a son. He made us think. He made us feel. He encouraged us to act.
Read the book.
August 1, 2021
My take-away from this book is that Paul Harvey was everything you thought he would be. Family man, honest, intelligent, hard-working and an all-around nice guy. When you heard his distinctive voice on the radio you knew exactly who it was. He led an interesting life and I miss hearing him on the radio.
January 29, 2024
As a child, I remember listening to Paul Harvey tell 'the rest of the story' on the radio. I did not realize his career included much more than that. I did not know that he was so outspoken on the various wars throughout the twentieth century. He had quite an interesting career on the airwaves and in print.
January 7, 2026
My dad listened to Paul Harvey every day at lunch. When I was home, I listened, too. I grew up hearing, “Good Day!”, “Page 2”, and “And, now, the REST of the story.”
Learning about the man and his life was fascinating. The book isn’t earth-shattering, but the nostalgia factor is high. Still, if you’re curious about entertainment history, it’s well-written and researched. I recommend it.
Learning about the man and his life was fascinating. The book isn’t earth-shattering, but the nostalgia factor is high. Still, if you’re curious about entertainment history, it’s well-written and researched. I recommend it.
August 16, 2022
Oh, my word! This man was a wonderful example of faith, determination, fidelity and genuine love. All men should emulate him. We could certainly use his wisdom today. He's probably turning over in his grave at the way things are in the country now.
March 7, 2020
I enjoyed the story, but noticed several typos while reading.
September 5, 2021
Well written biography of easily the greatest American Radio pitch man.
April 12, 2025
Wonderful to learn about the rest of his story and life!
March 5, 2014
Paul harvey was my favorite radio personality. I love listening to his program. When I saw this book in a book store I knew I wanted to read it. My first question was who is Paul J. Batura, the author? It was amazing to find out he was Paul harvey's son. The book is an excellent read on the life of Paul Harvey. I was a little surprised to find out Paul harvey was a little liberal on some issues. I trust you will enjoy the book quotes below:
Veterans of the broadcasting business will suggest that a true star hasn’t earned his or her stripes until they’ve been fired. In fact, the National Radio Hall of Fame is full of people who were told at some point in their careers that they had no chance, no future, no talent, and no right to hold a microphone in their hands.
He (Paul Harvey) most certainly disagreed with A.J. Mosby’s judgment, but he again saw the hand of Providence moving in his young life. A student of Benjamin Franklin and a man of abiding faith, he believed that, indeed, “God governs in the affairs of men.” He would come to credit Mosby with pushing him up and kicking him out.
The (Harveys) couple was resolved to work like it was all up to them, but pray knowing that it was really all up to God. They held their blessings and dreams lightly. “God answers prayers ‘yes’ and some ‘no’ because if a father, however loving, did all his son’s homework…he would ruin the son,” Paul once wrote. “The ancient Greeks had a saying that, ‘If you want to destroy a man give him everything he wants.’”
Even though it was radio, he (Paul Harvey) insisted on maintaining formality. “It is all about discipline,” Harvey once told Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune, “I could go to work in my pajamas, but long ago I got some advice from the man who was the engineer for my friend Billy Graham’s radio show. He said that one has to prepare in all ways for the show. If you don’t do that in every area, you’ll lose your edge.” At one point during his career, he compromised and began to dress a bit more informally. “I had Bob Benninghoff, fifty years an engineer on Paul Harvey News. He took me aside on one day and said, ‘you’re beginning to sound as casual as you dress.’“ The coat and tie made a comeback.
“In flying they teach us when we can’t see where we’re going, go on instruments, and trust them,” Harvey wrote once in an essay referencing the Bible. “Read your tested and proved charts and instruments. They will see you through.”
I recommend this book to all who enjoyed listening to Paul Harvey.
Veterans of the broadcasting business will suggest that a true star hasn’t earned his or her stripes until they’ve been fired. In fact, the National Radio Hall of Fame is full of people who were told at some point in their careers that they had no chance, no future, no talent, and no right to hold a microphone in their hands.
He (Paul Harvey) most certainly disagreed with A.J. Mosby’s judgment, but he again saw the hand of Providence moving in his young life. A student of Benjamin Franklin and a man of abiding faith, he believed that, indeed, “God governs in the affairs of men.” He would come to credit Mosby with pushing him up and kicking him out.
The (Harveys) couple was resolved to work like it was all up to them, but pray knowing that it was really all up to God. They held their blessings and dreams lightly. “God answers prayers ‘yes’ and some ‘no’ because if a father, however loving, did all his son’s homework…he would ruin the son,” Paul once wrote. “The ancient Greeks had a saying that, ‘If you want to destroy a man give him everything he wants.’”
Even though it was radio, he (Paul Harvey) insisted on maintaining formality. “It is all about discipline,” Harvey once told Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune, “I could go to work in my pajamas, but long ago I got some advice from the man who was the engineer for my friend Billy Graham’s radio show. He said that one has to prepare in all ways for the show. If you don’t do that in every area, you’ll lose your edge.” At one point during his career, he compromised and began to dress a bit more informally. “I had Bob Benninghoff, fifty years an engineer on Paul Harvey News. He took me aside on one day and said, ‘you’re beginning to sound as casual as you dress.’“ The coat and tie made a comeback.
“In flying they teach us when we can’t see where we’re going, go on instruments, and trust them,” Harvey wrote once in an essay referencing the Bible. “Read your tested and proved charts and instruments. They will see you through.”
I recommend this book to all who enjoyed listening to Paul Harvey.
June 8, 2014
An engaging, if uncritical, biography told by an adoring fan and not a journalist. Batura initially hoped to write a book about Paul Harvey's faith before finding out the man had no biography written on him. As a result, he writes a pretty straight-forward, mostly chronological biography for 80% of the book, then writes a chapter on faith and loses all narrative thrust, jumping back and forth in time for the last little bit.
The prose also offers a healthy dose of sappiness. One chapter ends, for example, "From the scope, arc, and influence of a single life he would come to discover how one woman could change the trajectory of a man's days on earth." The book is filled with this kind of dreamy Americanism.
Still, it's an decent snapshot of the life of the Harveys and the development of network news. If you're interested in those things, go for it.
The prose also offers a healthy dose of sappiness. One chapter ends, for example, "From the scope, arc, and influence of a single life he would come to discover how one woman could change the trajectory of a man's days on earth." The book is filled with this kind of dreamy Americanism.
Still, it's an decent snapshot of the life of the Harveys and the development of network news. If you're interested in those things, go for it.
June 12, 2014
I never cared much for Paul Harvey's political views, so was never a regular listener. He was tea party before Tea Party. On the positive side, I found his bright radio announcer delivery style truly engaging. I'd read somewhere before about his regimen to ensure sunny, "breathless" delivery -- arise at 3:30 a.m., oatmeal breakfast, dress in suit and tie, take chauffeured 15-minute ride to studio, intense focus, etc. Others have tried to imitate his unique inflection and style, his deliberate pause, distinctive cadence, punch of brevity, but he remains unique. Most reporters are careful to separate news from advertising, but not Harvey. To get around that, he employed a Page 1, Page 2, Page 3 gimmick, Page 2 being a commercial. Factual error p81: In 1941 there could have been no radio reporter with a tape recorder around his neck).
August 2, 2011
An easy read about the most recognizable voice that has ever been on the airwaves. One of the things I really liked about this book is the fact that the author didn't have all of the story. And where he didn't, he made a point to say so.
Paul Harvey (his last name was actually his middle name) was a voice I can remember listening to many a time and in many different places. And all those memories are good ones. So I was happy to see the author did take care and give a well rounded and fair story to this icon. I did think the story was shortened in places and I would have thought there could have been some exponding on. And the fact the author had to use testimonials at the end to "fill out" his book. Thus the 3 stars.
Paul Harvey (his last name was actually his middle name) was a voice I can remember listening to many a time and in many different places. And all those memories are good ones. So I was happy to see the author did take care and give a well rounded and fair story to this icon. I did think the story was shortened in places and I would have thought there could have been some exponding on. And the fact the author had to use testimonials at the end to "fill out" his book. Thus the 3 stars.
March 17, 2012
A man of true character Paul Harvey! I loved listening to him; his wisdom, his distingushed voice and his love for country and God. Batura tells of some interesting facts some that may surprise you. You can see how he came to be and his political stand. I think what surprised me more his liberal stand on social issues. He told it like it was without half the country hating him. I think our country needs another Paul Harvey!
December 8, 2016
While an interesting read that seems to be really well sourced, it veered off from the biography to tangential information all too often.
And by the last quarter of the book it became more and more a conservative Republican church service. Espousing political and religious views instead of being biographical information.
I was rather disappointed in how the book just couldn't seem to stay focused.
And by the last quarter of the book it became more and more a conservative Republican church service. Espousing political and religious views instead of being biographical information.
I was rather disappointed in how the book just couldn't seem to stay focused.
July 16, 2009
I learned a great deal about the man behind the microphone, and now wish more than ever that they would air reruns of 'The Rest of the Story" - which I would always tune into on my commute home. Crazy to think that 35 years ago, my mom was tuning into Paul Harvey on her college campus - he broadcast on ABC radio network for more than 55 years!
June 16, 2012
I especially liked the excerpts from Paul's broadcasts! Reading his words, I could hear his voice again. I had listened to Paul Harvey for decades but I never knew him as well as I do now, having read this wonderful book. I highly recommend it to any reader who misses Harvey's great writing, upbeat stories, and wonderful imagery.
Cheers to Paul J. Batura for writing "The Paul Harvey Story!"
Cheers to Paul J. Batura for writing "The Paul Harvey Story!"
August 15, 2009
i had always enjoyed his 'rest of the story' radio broadcasts and enjoyed learning about his life. the author was a huge fan so the bent was very positive. He also liked pointing out Paul Harvey's faith in God.
June 4, 2013
This was such a fascinating book about the best radio personality I've ever listened to. Reading his biography made me admire him more than ever. A great man who grew up with the same generation as my parents: "The greatest generation."
January 20, 2020
Thoughtful, inspiring, and endearing. I now feel a greater closeness to Paul Harvey. The story defines the man behind the microphone and how to choose who you want to be in life and what you want to contribute, in spite of challenging circumstances.
June 3, 2009
Didn't realize that Paul and his wife Angel were radio pioneers. I learned a lot about the guy I've listened to for over 30 years.
Did Not Finish
April 12, 2010I really wanted to learn more about Paul Harvey, but I just couldn't get past page 50. I did not like the writting style and felt the writing was choppy and hard to read. I finally just stopped.
November 26, 2013
I remember hearing Paul Harvey's radio broadcasts on Saturdays while my Dad listened to them. Now I know the rest of the story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews