Studs Terkel was an American author and historian, renowned for his oral histories of ordinary Americans. His works focus on capturing the voices and experiences of people from diverse social strata, creating a rich tapestry of American life. Terkel's approach involves gathering and presenting authentic recollections that illuminate key moments in American history from the perspective of those who lived them. His work not only documents the past but also emphasizes the significance of the individual story within the broader historical context.
Exploring the essence of Chicago, the book offers a personal perspective on the city's distinctive character. It highlights major attractions while delving into living conditions, transportation, and the rich tapestry of ethnic cultures. Additionally, the narrative celebrates the city's vibrant blues music scene, providing a comprehensive view of what makes Chicago unique.
Studs Terkel's fascinating account of Race from many and varied points of view.
Publisher's description: Studs Terkel tells us in his Foreword to the definitive Griffin Estate Edition of Black Like Me: "This is a contemporary book, you bet." Indeed, Black Like Me remains required reading in thousands of high schools and colleges for this very reason. Regardless of how much progress has been made in eliminating outright racism from American life, Black Like Me endures as a great human and humanitarian document. In our era, when "international" terrorism is most often defined in terms of a single ethnic designation and a single religion, we need to be reminded that America has been blinded by fear and racial intolerance before. As John Lennon wrote, "Living is easy with eyes closed." Black Like Me is the story of a man who opened his eyes, and helped an entire nation to do likewise.
Exploring the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, this book offers a vibrant tapestry of real-life stories from artists, activists, and everyday residents. It captures the essence of the city from the 1930s World’s Fair to the present, highlighting figures from various backgrounds, including musicians, poets, and civil rights advocates. Through engaging narratives, it unveils a refreshing perspective on Chicago's rich cultural history, showcasing the voices that have shaped its identity across time and space.
The collection features insightful conversations with renowned figures from film and theater, showcasing the Pulitzer Prize-winning oral historian's skill in capturing the essence of these luminaries. This elegant edition highlights their personal stories and reflections, offering a unique glimpse into the creative minds of the entertainment industry.
This “electrifying” collection of unpublished work demonstrates the Pulitzer Prize–winning author’s “great gift for tapping into the lifeblood of America” ( Booklist ) . Millions of Studs Terkel fans have come to know the prize-winning oral historian through his landmark books―“ The Good War ”, Hard Times , Working , Will the Circle Be Unbroken? , and many others. Few people realize, however, that much of Studs’s best work was not collected into these thematic volumes and has, in fact, never been published. P.S. brings together these significant and fascinating writings for the first time. The pieces in P.S. reflect Terkel’s wide-ranging interests and travels, as well as his abiding connection to his hometown, Chicago. Here we have a fascinating conversation with James Baldwin, possibly Terkel’s finest interview with an author; pieces on the colorful history and culture of Chicago; vivid portraits of Terkel’s heroes and cohorts (including an insightful and still timely interview with songwriter Yip Harburg, known for his “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime”); and the transcript of Terkel’s famous broadcast on the Depression, the moving chronicle that would later develop into Hard Times . A fitting postscript to a lifetime of listening, P.S. is a truly Terkelesque display of the author’s extraordinary range of talent and the amazing people he spoke to.
"A welcome change from the sloganeering, political mudslinging and products of spin doctors."—The Philadelphia Inquirer Based on the NPR series of the same name, This I Believe features eighty Americans—from the famous to the unknown—completing the thought that the book's title begins. Each piece compels readers to rethink not only how they have arrived at their own personal beliefs but also the extent to which they share them with others. Featuring many renowned contributors—including Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley Jr., Penn Jillette, Bill Gates, and John Updike—the collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer; a part-time hospital clerk in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; a woman who sells yellow pages advertising in Fort Worth, Texas; and a man who serves on Rhode Island's parole board. The result is a stirring and provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of people whose beliefs—and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them—reveal the American spirit at its best.
The book features a narrative style reminiscent of the works of Studs Terkel, capturing authentic voices and experiences. It delves into the lives of its characters, offering a rich tapestry of human emotion and societal commentary. Through interviews and personal stories, it reveals the complexities of everyday life, making it a compelling exploration of shared humanity.
Featuring a collection of compelling interviews from renowned oral historian Studs Terkel, this anthology showcases the voices of everyday Americans across various eras. Each section is enriched by Terkel's insightful introductions, providing context and depth to the interviews. The work captures the essence of American life, reflecting diverse experiences and perspectives that shape the nation's narrative.
Oral historian Studs Terkel hosted a daily radio programme in Chicago, presenting listeners with his take on music from classical, opera, and jazz to gospel, blues, folk and rock. This book features more than forty of his conversations from the programme with various musicians. It also offers us a portrait of various musical genres.x