Edward R. Murrow: An American Original

Rating:
Summary: Biography of a Journalist
Review: Edward R. Murrow lived at a time when television journalism was being created. Prior to that he was a radio journalist during the peak period of that medium, being best known for his live coverage of World War II. He was among the pioneers who established the ground rules, expectations, and mores of electronic media journalism. Murrow was also known for his documentary work on television.

Persico gives us a detailed account of the family from which Edward R. sprang. His roots in North America go back well before the Revolutionary War. His Scotch-Irish heritage was deeply Christian.

He traces the family's move from the South to the West. Ed was a member of the freshman class of Washington State in 1930. There were about 2,800 enrolled in that class. Ed was from a working class background and college was a new adventure for him. He first gained media experience while there.

Just as thoroughly as the college years are covered so are the other eras of Murrow's life. This book is well-researched and enjoyable to read. It helps one to see the philosophical assumptions and background of one of the pioneers of broadcast journalism.