Touch and go : a memoir /
Terkel, Studs,1912-2008.
New York ; London : New Press : Distributed by W.W. Norton,
c2007.
At nearly 95, Studs Terkel has written about everyone's life, it seems, but his own. Here he offers a memoir which--embodying the spirit of the man himself--is youthful and vivacious. Terkel begins by taking us back to his childhood, describing the hectic life of a family trying to earn a living in Chicago. He then goes on to his experiences--as a poll watcher charged with stealing votes for the Democratic machine, as a young theatergoer, and eventually as an actor himself in both radio and on the stage--giving us a portrait of the Chicago of the 1920s and 1930s. He tells of his beginnings as a disc jockey after World War II and as an interviewer and oral historian--a craft he would come to perfect. Finally, he discusses his involvement with progressive politics, leading to his travails during the McCarthy period when he was blacklisted.--From publisher description.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
At nearly 95, Studs Terkel has written about everyone's life, it seems, but his own. Here he offers a memoir which--embodying the spirit of the man himself--is youthful and vivacious. Terkel begins by taking us back to his childhood, describing the hectic life of a family trying to earn a living in Chicago. He then goes on to his experiences--as a poll watcher charged with stealing votes for the Democratic machine, as a young theatergoer, and eventually as an actor himself in both radio and on the stage--giving us a portrait of the Chicago of the 1920s and 1930s. He tells of his beginnings as a disc jockey after World War II and as an interviewer and oral historian--a craft he would come to perfect. Finally, he discusses his involvement with progressive politics, leading to his travails during the McCarthy period when he was blacklisted.--From publisher description.
I: Street scene -- Bound for glory -- The rooming house -- The convention that would never end -- Teachers of the Gilded Age -- The hotel -- A good citizen -- II: Seeking work -- The actor -- Observer to activist -- A bouquet from the Colonel -- Ida -- Reveille -- Lucky breaks I -- III: American dreamer -- Are you now or have you ever been ... -- Blacklist -- Lucky breaks II -- A casual conversation -- the feeling tone -- IV: Truth to power -- Didn't your name used to be Dave Garroway? -- Two towns called Girard -- Evil of banality -- ... And nobody laughed -- Old gent of the right -- Einstein and the rest of us.
Terkel, Studs, 1912-2008.
Broadcasters
Authors, American