Life in the Time of Sharpeville Book

Edwards, Bob. (2004). Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism. New Jersey: John Wiley & Son.


"I'm standing on a rooftop looking out over London. At the moment everything is quiet. For reasons of national as well as personal security, I'm unable to tell you the exact location from which I'm speaking." (Murrow, 1941). This is a direct quote from a broadcast Edward R. Murrow did when he was a correspondent for CBS. Bob Edwards used this quote in the introduction to his book Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism, the focus of this review (Edwards, 2004).

Once upon a time, way back when people had lives far simpler than today, people used to take the time it required to read. These people would read words. These words would form sentences. These sentences would themselves form paragraphs. Sometimes, unless the book was written for a young child to read, these paragraphs would form chapters. These words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters would form the basis of what we call books. This might come as a shock to many people. To you, I say this: Open your minds to a life less ordinary. Read a book.

There are many books and other writings, which talk about the life and career of Edward R Murrow with Bob Edwards adding to the existing works. The author has elaborated the journalist's insight, brevity as it also compared the past with today's happenings. There does not seem to be a maximum length for writers to adhere. Edward's contribution to journalistic literature is no more than 200 pages in length. It is part of a series offering insight of world events that were covered by influential journalists (Cleary, 2004).

Edwards, a former host of morning show in NPR, provides a comprehensive overview of contribution Murrow gave to journalism. One cannot cover very much in ten short chapters; however, with a painstaking consisnce, a high level of detail has been incorporated into what few pages there are. Please pay particular attention to Murrow's days in radio during World War II (Murray, 2004). The book devotes chapter six to outline Murrow broadcast in Nazi concentration camp as chapter seven covers careers in television broadcast. (Cleary, 2004).

Murrow evidentially got some of the internal issues discussed from his external news sources of information and informants. In spite the gloom and doom, each chapter has demonstrated Murrow's personality, which is a dynamic trait as evidenced by the loyalty of "Murrow Boys." It is these words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters which show Murrow's sense of humor, which is important in describing his character (Cleary, 2004).

The afterwards for what was written provides perspectives on today's broadcast news on the context of Murrow's early work in the foundation of the profession as well as recruiting individuals who would dominate it. The book also assumes ways Murrow might work today with the current increases in limitations of corporate control. This provides and indicates the failure of transmission because of erosion of standards due to changes and regulations the government made in regard ownership.

Each chapter, in its own way, has a natural flow to it. The writing itself, to a certain degree, is speculative. One could argue that this style of writing stems from the author's experiences rather than that of the subject matter. The evidence supplied draws the reader's attention to Murrow's attention to the programming of public affairs. This programming was financially supported by Ford Foundation (Strout, 2010).

Further, the book has a short bibliography and contains only twenty-three books than the rest of the book. It comprises of two works by Ed Bliss, Walter Cronkites and Edwards. Bliss has played a key role in ensuring this book develops making it a dedication to him and the wife (Cressman, 2006). Other inclusions in the book are three works of Cronkite and Fred Friendly with other three people who writes biographies of Murrow. Additionally, the book has four broadcast excerpts from a London rooftop of British bombing on Berlin.

Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism brings nothing new in the limelight or breaks a new ground. It only provides Murrow's story to readers who are not able to read Murrow's full-length biography (Cressman, 2006). It has managed to do this in an enjoyable and fashionable manner to the reader. The few bibliographical notes denote that the research done was not exhaustive, rather than a summary of the earlier works by other writers.

In addition, the book traces the developments and the history of early innovations of Murrow triumphs, careers, and illness challenges faced in later life. It has played a vital function in communicating the subjects of Murrow's programs and how the contents were manipulated as well as the consequences (Strout, 2010). The author asserts that someone looking for in-depth information and resources would rather look elsewhere than use doctored information. It has summarized the controversial program, "Harvest of shame" to one page (Cleary, 2004).

The economy of language makes this book an excellent supplemental reading for any student taking a course in mass communication. It represents and paints a vivid picture in gathering and reporting news. Reading all this will equip students with information and understanding about the developments of mass communication as well as broadcasting journalism.

Furthermore, instructors and lecturers must emphasize the relationship between the author and the influential former professor's friend, Ed Bliss since he was a friend to Murrow. This acts as a cautionary tale for methodological reasons. The book is important for current students taking broadcast journalism because it will make them gain appreciation on ways short form broadcaster translated tom print media.



References - APA Citation Style

Cleary, J. (2004). [Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism]. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 81(3), 706-708

Cressman, D. L. (2006). Review And Criticism: Book Review'Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 50(1), 160-161.

Edwards, Bob. (2004). Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism. New Jersey: John Wiley & Son.

Murray, M. D. (2004). Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism (Book). American Journalism, 21(3), 113-114.

Murrow, Edward R. (1941). This is London. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Smith, D. (2004). Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism (Book). Library Journal, 129(8), 122.

Strout, L. N. (2010). The Edward R. Murrow of Docudramas and Documentary. Media History Monographs, 12(1), 1-21.