The Best TV Book I Have Ever Read!
The BEST Television History Book I Have Ever Read!
The book is, “The Origins Of Television News In America”, by our friend Mike Conway.
In TV news lingo, “unpacking” is what a reporter does when he or she lays out the facts and timeline of their story. Although I have read the book twice, back-to-back, I am still “unpacking” this detail rich book, and go back to it almost daily.
The main narrative focuses on the little known story of how television news started at CBS. That is the center line on this highway, but there is not another TV history highway I have seen that goes more places than Mike Conway’s book!
All the networks, both radio and television, and all the historic events in the prewar, war, and postwar years are covered here in the greatest depth, and with more new information, than I have ever seen anywhere.
CBS legend Bob Schieffer says “Masterful research and a pleasure to read”. So say I, and to Mike Conway, I say…thank you for your years of dedicated research, and the huge effort it took to sort and present this information. You have given us new perspective on an amazing array of previously unrealized, domino-like occurrences in broadcast history. -Bobby Ellerbee
Some of my other favorites include “The Box” by Jeff Kisseloff, “The Best Seat In The House” by NBC’s Pat Weaver, “Beating The Odds” by ABC’s Leonard Goldenson, and “This Is CBS”, by Ron Slater.
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news-archive/11723.html
An IU professor has discovered and reconstructed a lost first chapter in the history of television. In a new book, Mike Conway tells the stories of a mostly unknown group of CBS employees who worked in obscurity to develop a new way to deliver the news.
FYI. Just finished reading this and Mickelson’s “Decade” based upon your recommendation. Have posted a “recommend” for both on MY FB page. Only question is why the Army-McCarthy hearings got no mention?
Just ordered a copy…
He’s right Mike. It’s a great book!
Congratulations Mike!
I agree with Bobby, this is a great book, full of details about a lost era.
Thank you Bobby for your kind words. That means a lot to me, given your great knowledge of TV history. As always, thank you for this great site and detailed information and images from the history of television. I learn something new every day.