Rating: 
Summary: Simply the best!
Review: Amazing! Not only a great research tool but fun to read! I have used the many references to shows' best known (or the author's favorite) episodes to sample many of the programs listed in the book. It's a fun and quick way to find some real gems. Be aware the book doesn't include bios of radio personalities, such as David Sarnoff or Norman Corwin (except when mentioning them in the context of programs), but as a program reference this is WONDERFUL! Every college library in the country should have it!
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best!
Review: Amazing! Not only a great research tool but fun to read! I have used the many references to shows' best known (or the author's favorite) episodes to sample many of the programs listed in the book. It's a fun and quick way to find some real gems. Be aware the book doesn't include bios of radio personalities, such as David Sarnoff or Norman Corwin (except when mentioning them in the context of programs), but as a program reference this is WONDERFUL! Every college library in the country should have it!
Rating:
Summary: A well written, detailed book about Radio's Golden Age
Review: As an author of several radio-related books myself, I fully appreciate the effort and time that went into John's beautifully written, detailed book. ON THE AIR makes radio's past come wonderfully "alive," and I compliment him on his continued effort to educate and entertain fans and students of old time radio. John's work is always fascinating and the book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in old time radio.
Rating:
Summary: all you wanted to know
Review: defineitely for those that want to collect old time radio programs that are readily available on cassette and cd ,cd/mp3.
Rating:
Summary: Essential for the old-time radio fan.
Review: From the A&P Gypsies to the Ziegfield Follies of the Air, the entire spectrum of radio in its heyday (1930's 40's, 50's) is all here, with as fabulous a cast of characters as were ever gathered into one industry.
The 1500 entries detail the broadcast history of each show (including dates, times, network, and sponsors), cast members major and minor, announcers, musicians and singers, producers and directors, sound effects technicians, and more.
Shows of special significance, such as "Gunsmoke" (1952-61) are treated in extensive essays describing their history and development, with background information derived from numerous interviews and meticulous research. There are also special categories, or "umbrella entries", covering concert, news, and religious shows, and the remote broadcasts of the great bands, such as Glenn Miller and Woody Herman. For hardcore radio buffs and collectors information on the availability of tapes of old shows will be a special treat. With its fine bibliography and generous index, Dunning's work is a first rate production, essential for anyone interested in old time radio. (The "score" rating is an unfortunately ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)
Rating:
Summary: Essential for the old-time radio fan.
Review: From the A&P Gypsies to the Ziegfield Follies of the Air, the entire spectrum of radio in its heyday (1930's 40's, 50's) is all here, with as fabulous a cast of characters as were ever gathered into one industry.
The 1500 entries detail the broadcast history of each show (including dates, times, network, and sponsors), cast members major and minor, announcers, musicians and singers, producers and directors, sound effects technicians, and more.
Shows of special significance, such as "Gunsmoke" (1952-61) are treated in extensive essays describing their history and development, with background information derived from numerous interviews and meticulous research. There are also special categories, or "umbrella entries", covering concert, news, and religious shows, and the remote broadcasts of the great bands, such as Glenn Miller and Woody Herman. For hardcore radio buffs and collectors information on the availability of tapes of old shows will be a special treat. With its fine bibliography and generous index, Dunning's work is a first rate production, essential for anyone interested in old time radio. (The "score" rating is an unfortunately ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)
Rating:
Summary: Great Reference a pleasurable Read
Review: I have had this book on my shelves for years. At first, I used it as a reference book. Then, I started reading it from beginning to end, and found the stories wonderful. I'm impressed by the considerable amount of research done by the author. It is not all inclusive. Most entires are short, the more significant shows have one, two or three pages of information. So many fascinating tidbits. Ed Wynn refused to cross a picket line, while supporting strikers, Eddie Cantor attacked Father Coughlin and hired blacks for his show, the author called up Rudy Vallee, who had a listed number in the phonebook and talked for an hour.
The author is a little out of date as far as the availability of the radio programs. Many more programs are available on MP3 than the author is aware of.
Rating:
Summary: An essential old time radio book
Review: If you only want to purchase a single book on the subject of old time radio then this has to be it. The alternative is probably Swartz & Reinehr's Handbook of Old-Time Radio. The latter covers a lot more different series than the Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, but there is only a brief amount of information on each one. In this John Dunning masterpiece there are comprehensive details on ALL of the major shows, hundreds of them. The reviews range from a few lines up to full-blown essays that detail everything from the history of the show through to the leading stars, directors and even sound effects personnel. Dunning manages to do this in a style that is anything but dull. He manages to make even the most mundane of shows seem worth listening to and his passion for this medium is evident on every one of it's 800+ pages. It isn't a cheap book, but to the old radio show fan it really is worth it's weight in gold (maybe that's a slight exaggeration as this is a BIG heavy book that could double-up as a door-stop). Happy listening! Ned Norris, Webmaster of RUSC Old Time Radio Shows...
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Christmas gift
Review: If you want a book that covers more radio shows in the most detailed way under one cover, this is the one. If you are ever going to get one book on old-time radio and no other, don't miss out on this book. In my opinion it is a $100 value and indispensable. It covers almost every major radio show, from Gangbusters to the Shadow, and not only does each entry list detailed production credits and times and stations, but it also has charming stories about the series. Some more detailed than others, but I can't nit pick that far. It has a great index and I've only found one or two mistakes, but bravo. If you have a little Christmas money left over this year, treat yourself. You won't find a better deal.
Rating:
Summary: an excellant title
Review: John Dunning's book is NOT for the casual fan or a college student who might want to know a thing or two about a legendary comedian or actor. i wouldn't want a person who really didn't like OTR to buy this book because you'll find a TON of information in here that'll blow you mind. however, for OTR fans, there is nothing that comes close to this. To the general public, OTR might be a series of letters. It means Old Time Radio, for those in the know. What i find great is the in-depth nature of the "classics" of OTR: Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Burns and Allen, The Great Gildersleeve, "Fibber McGee and Molly" with Jim and Marian Jordan, Red Skelton, Amos 'n' Andy, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, and several dramatic programs like "Gunsmoke", "Suspense", "Dragnet", and "The Shadow", among many many others. This book is the radio equivalent to the Alex McNeil book "Total Television". Both books offer information on just about everything the mediums have to offer. Dunning also does a break down on the major news organizations and highlights many famed and not so famous news reporters. This section on the news is a sad glimpse into a by-gone era where journalism was a profession and NOT simply a means to harrass and embarrass political or entertainment figures which is so common now. the way Dunning describes it, there was a certain bit of good taste that followed the news reporters and they weren't motivated by tabloid and sleaze. MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! Dunning also provides a wealth of information on sports broadcasters of the era, highlighted by the quips and opinions from Red Barber, a legendary sportscaster who had respected opinions of his peers and his profession. Dunning is a bit harsh on the soap opera genre, which is stereotypically synonymous with ANY mention of old-time radio. Well, i should say Dunning doesn't come across as kind and gentle on some soap operas...primarily the LONG-RUNNING soaps from Frank and Anne Hummert. To me, those are the soap operas that define the genre despite others that were on the air {such as "Guiding Light", which hit in 1937 and is STILL airing some 67 years later by way of TV}. Despite Dunning's contemporary approach to the now hilariously campy Hummert soap operas, the look backs are STILL informative even behind his critques of the Hummert's writing style, a mark of professionalism. In one section, Dunning's review of why George Jessel and Milton Berle NEVER had such success on radio is accurate. Jessel's thick accent and style were suited for "live" programs that required little rehearsal and mostly ad-libs. Jessel is much more funny as a guest on other people's shows...Berle, of course, was a visual comedian and he too found radio as a limited format. All in all, the book is fabulous. With regards to "Amos 'n' Andy" and being a fan of old-time radio like i am, i find nothing wrong with this show. i've heard it countless times and i can't think of anything racial about it....UNLESS a person is hung-up on the fact that two white guys played the roles...but even then, a normal student of OTR will shrug that off as simply "that's the way it was" and move on. They won't crucify and protest the show, which, honestly had no intentional malice to begin with. The show was a victim of it's times in television and those same thin-skinnned pious protesters who practice reverse racism destroyed the show for the TV generation. For that, those responsible that couldn't laugh along with stereotypical humor should be ashamed. However, get this book...it'll teach everyone how to look at OTR even in these ridiculously politically-correct times.
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