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mo3942's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting biography of Fred Rogers, weaving his counterculture stances on things like war and peace, race, and gender, with his Christian background and how those inform each other. The boom is split in two halves, with six sections each, so it was a much slower read for me as each chapter was its own rich essay that I wanted to fully digest before moving forward. Overall a great read, and now I’m interested in pursuing more biographies, of Rogers or otherwise.
farzi_q_pickle's review
4.0
3.7 stars. While I liked how the book was separated into these particular sections, it also made for some repetition without necessarily building on each other or integrating parts. I think I could imagine reading any of these chapters and enjoying it as an article, but I felt like maybe there wasn't as much as I expected for a whole book compared to watching the Mister Rogers documentary. I wanted more interviews with him or other experts in the field of children's television. Maybe understanding more from the perspective of conservative parent groups as well as liberals. I did think the author walked that line and balanced fawning over a hero but also pointing out where Mister Rogers wasn't as directly revolutionary in some areas as he could have been. I think he had less of Mister Rogers' own conflict with how far he went or if he was doing enough than I recall from the documentary.
Learned some things though such as the idea of a "principled pacifist" as someone who is a pacifist fire and for the principle of it even in situations where another method may be seen as more effective.
I could see from this book how that extended into his views and teachings on vegetarianism and recycling etc.
Despite some repetition and simplicity, I would still recommend this book because anything that teaches about Mister Rogers' ideas about acceptance and love feels protective against the traumas and challenges I see in adults as a therapist and these ideas are so much of what the work of therapy includes.
I especially liked how this book discussed anger especially:
p.47 where he talks about anger being a natural response that even babies have "when basic needs are unfulfilled." - "Because he saw love as a basic human need, Rogers identified anger as a 'normal part of loving and being loved'. It's our response to conditions in which our capacity for loving or being loved is unrecognized, thwarted, frustrated, or otherwise unfulfilled."
He also spoke about how channeling of anger is a sign of personal growth and connected this to Freud and sublimation of the death instinct in a way that I had not thought about or known before.
As a therapist, I also really appreciated this part:
p. 56 "Margaret [McFarland] used to say to us, 'Anything that's human is mentionable, and whatever is mentionable is manageable.'"
The author goes on to talk about Mister Rogers encouraging kids to talk about anger because "talking about our mad feelings in particular helps us understand the deepest roots of our own identity- the very personal reason for those times we fly off the handle. Understanding our deepest fears and loves can make it easier for us to identify the most fitting and constructive choices about what to do with our mad feelings. Understanding can thus be an antidote to anger; it can help us to manage and dominate our anger."
"For Rogers, talking about our mad feelings can also create a sense of psychological liberation, of individual freedom to be the best person we can be..."
" 'Sharing mad feelings may often be painful, Rogers stated, but the freedom it can bring is worth the trying' "
The author discusses Rogers' views that deep awareness and acceptance of ourselves including our anger is "a condition required for love..." and how understanding who we are and who others are are necessary to "accept others and ourselves fully....But when talking leads to deep understanding, it actually strengthens and advances our ability to care for other and ourselves...Rightly expressed, anger is a tool in the service of love."
I really appreciated the part of the book where he talks about the college students visiting Mister Rogers. From watching the documentary and seeing more about his insecurities about doing enough, it's nice to see even one circumstance described where he got the validation that the work he was doing with kids had longer-lasting impacts as they became young adults.
If you don't read this book, I do recommend either watching the documentary and/or dramatized movie with Tom Hanks. Both were really good and accomplished different things. I think Mister Rogers is someone we could all stand to learn more about as that idea of loving you just as we are seems like a small one but is and can truly be revolutionary when it's not an idea that's been directly expressed to us. I think this book also helped remind me of the purpose of my work in helping others feel this way.
Learned some things though such as the idea of a "principled pacifist" as someone who is a pacifist fire and for the principle of it even in situations where another method may be seen as more effective.
I could see from this book how that extended into his views and teachings on vegetarianism and recycling etc.
Despite some repetition and simplicity, I would still recommend this book because anything that teaches about Mister Rogers' ideas about acceptance and love feels protective against the traumas and challenges I see in adults as a therapist and these ideas are so much of what the work of therapy includes.
I especially liked how this book discussed anger especially:
p.47 where he talks about anger being a natural response that even babies have "when basic needs are unfulfilled." - "Because he saw love as a basic human need, Rogers identified anger as a 'normal part of loving and being loved'. It's our response to conditions in which our capacity for loving or being loved is unrecognized, thwarted, frustrated, or otherwise unfulfilled."
He also spoke about how channeling of anger is a sign of personal growth and connected this to Freud and sublimation of the death instinct in a way that I had not thought about or known before.
As a therapist, I also really appreciated this part:
p. 56 "Margaret [McFarland] used to say to us, 'Anything that's human is mentionable, and whatever is mentionable is manageable.'"
The author goes on to talk about Mister Rogers encouraging kids to talk about anger because "talking about our mad feelings in particular helps us understand the deepest roots of our own identity- the very personal reason for those times we fly off the handle. Understanding our deepest fears and loves can make it easier for us to identify the most fitting and constructive choices about what to do with our mad feelings. Understanding can thus be an antidote to anger; it can help us to manage and dominate our anger."
"For Rogers, talking about our mad feelings can also create a sense of psychological liberation, of individual freedom to be the best person we can be..."
" 'Sharing mad feelings may often be painful, Rogers stated, but the freedom it can bring is worth the trying' "
The author discusses Rogers' views that deep awareness and acceptance of ourselves including our anger is "a condition required for love..." and how understanding who we are and who others are are necessary to "accept others and ourselves fully....But when talking leads to deep understanding, it actually strengthens and advances our ability to care for other and ourselves...Rightly expressed, anger is a tool in the service of love."
I really appreciated the part of the book where he talks about the college students visiting Mister Rogers. From watching the documentary and seeing more about his insecurities about doing enough, it's nice to see even one circumstance described where he got the validation that the work he was doing with kids had longer-lasting impacts as they became young adults.
If you don't read this book, I do recommend either watching the documentary and/or dramatized movie with Tom Hanks. Both were really good and accomplished different things. I think Mister Rogers is someone we could all stand to learn more about as that idea of loving you just as we are seems like a small one but is and can truly be revolutionary when it's not an idea that's been directly expressed to us. I think this book also helped remind me of the purpose of my work in helping others feel this way.
drbobcornwall's review
4.0
By the time Mr. Rogers came on the scene I was already well into my elementary school years. I grew up with Captain Kangaroo. Over the years I've caught snippets of his children's show that appeared on PBS stations for decades. I knew him to be a gentle fatherly figure who wore a cardigan sweater, taught children to be gentle and let loose of their imaginations. Along the way I learned that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister who saw his show as a form of ministry, even if the the religious element wasn't explicit. What was present in his message was an ethical vision that was formed at least to some degree by his faith.
Michael Long's book "Peaceful Neighbor" introduces us to a man who was both compassionate and committed to forming generations of children to be compassionate neighbors. Long's book helps us understand Fred Rogers' commitments to social justice -- showing us where he put his emphasis and where he shied away from controversy.
What we learn right up front is that Fred Rogers was a pacifist of a somewhat radical kind. His radical pacifism, which was formed in part during his seminary years as a student of William Orr at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, helped form everything else he did and believed. As a seminarian he felt a call to work with children, and this calling eventuated in his TV show, which was launched nationally in 1968, at a time when the nation's streets were being turned upside down by protests and calls for change. It was a time of war, when nightly newscasts updated us on the fortunes or lack thereof in Vietnam. From the beginning he tried to teach the children the importance of peacemaking and nonviolence.
But he was not just a pacifist. While Part one of the book, comprising six chapters focuses on peace, and his message of peacemaking, Part Two, again comprising six chapters, shows how Rogers' vision of peace played out in other arenas, including race and diversity, hunger, gender stereotypes, homosexuality, animal rights, and ecology. In some areas, such as race, gender stereotypes, and animal rights (he was a vegetarian) he was explicit in his message. One area where he was not outspoken was the rights of LGBT persons. He hired a number of gay persons on the show, but neither spoke out on it nor did he encourage his gay employees to do so either. He was supportive but quietly.
What we learn from Long's book is that Fred Rogers was a complicated person. He was deeply religious and committed to social justice. He also had his blind spots, not always understanding the realities of the world. Thus, with regard to hunger, for instance, he emphasized charity while not advocating for systemic change.
The question is -- how influential was Fred Rogers in forming the two generations he touched (Gen X and Millenials)? It is a question that the church itself faces!
Michael Long's book "Peaceful Neighbor" introduces us to a man who was both compassionate and committed to forming generations of children to be compassionate neighbors. Long's book helps us understand Fred Rogers' commitments to social justice -- showing us where he put his emphasis and where he shied away from controversy.
What we learn right up front is that Fred Rogers was a pacifist of a somewhat radical kind. His radical pacifism, which was formed in part during his seminary years as a student of William Orr at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, helped form everything else he did and believed. As a seminarian he felt a call to work with children, and this calling eventuated in his TV show, which was launched nationally in 1968, at a time when the nation's streets were being turned upside down by protests and calls for change. It was a time of war, when nightly newscasts updated us on the fortunes or lack thereof in Vietnam. From the beginning he tried to teach the children the importance of peacemaking and nonviolence.
But he was not just a pacifist. While Part one of the book, comprising six chapters focuses on peace, and his message of peacemaking, Part Two, again comprising six chapters, shows how Rogers' vision of peace played out in other arenas, including race and diversity, hunger, gender stereotypes, homosexuality, animal rights, and ecology. In some areas, such as race, gender stereotypes, and animal rights (he was a vegetarian) he was explicit in his message. One area where he was not outspoken was the rights of LGBT persons. He hired a number of gay persons on the show, but neither spoke out on it nor did he encourage his gay employees to do so either. He was supportive but quietly.
What we learn from Long's book is that Fred Rogers was a complicated person. He was deeply religious and committed to social justice. He also had his blind spots, not always understanding the realities of the world. Thus, with regard to hunger, for instance, he emphasized charity while not advocating for systemic change.
The question is -- how influential was Fred Rogers in forming the two generations he touched (Gen X and Millenials)? It is a question that the church itself faces!
princesszinza's review
5.0
I love Mr. Rogers. He was born the same day and year as my dad but was about as opposite my father as a man could be. (This probably fostered my early and continuing disbelief in astrology.) I watched Mr. Rogers neighborhood as a child and really enjoyed when he would go into factories and show how things were made. I wasn't as much a fan of the land of make believe. I guess I should've been. I was so surprised to find out that he wrote story lines for that world that actually protested the Vietnam War. I thought I was a perceptive little kid but this stuff must have just flew right by me!
The author details all the awesome things Mr. Rogers was teaching in his show. This book is only for Mr. Rogers fanatics because it is extremely well-researched. He goes through many episodes of the show at great length.
I so admire Mr. Rogers for always being true to himself and his beliefs.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a unbiased review.
The author details all the awesome things Mr. Rogers was teaching in his show. This book is only for Mr. Rogers fanatics because it is extremely well-researched. He goes through many episodes of the show at great length.
I so admire Mr. Rogers for always being true to himself and his beliefs.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a unbiased review.
abarnson's review
5.0
I listened to this book on audible. This book is not what I was expecting. I was looking for the book that the movie was based on. However, this book did not disappoint. Think of it like this. They took the episodes of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and made them a teaching lesson. Each chapter is based on a theme or idea such as 'it is ok to be angry' or the Vietnam War. The author uses the episodes to illustrate how you can overcome your fear surrounding these scary times that kids had to live through. Fred Rogers was more than a preacher or on TV, he cared so much about what was going on in this world. He was not afraid to showcase these problems on TV and teach kids how to cope. I never thought of that this way as I grew up watching his tv shows. I knew episodes had messages to offer but I never thought of the deep dive that Fred Rogers took. Listening to this book brings back memories of sitting in front of the little black and white tv and watching him every day.
To get an idea: In one chapter, the author talks about how the other people on the show started to complain about what they don't have and how they are not getting paid enough. He created an episode about those who don't have what others have and how this is perceived. I think this world needs another Mr. Rogers. I think some of the young people today could learn a lot from Mr. Rogers.
To get an idea: In one chapter, the author talks about how the other people on the show started to complain about what they don't have and how they are not getting paid enough. He created an episode about those who don't have what others have and how this is perceived. I think this world needs another Mr. Rogers. I think some of the young people today could learn a lot from Mr. Rogers.
panda83's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It had a lot of information about our favorite friendly neighbor that I did not previously know. It was refreshing to read a book that focused more on his substance than simply providing an overview of his achievements.
michellef's review
`Peaceful Neighbor` written by Michael G. Long is a biography about Mr. Fred Rogers who was the long time t.v. host of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. I wanted to review this book to learn more about Mr. Rogers because I watched his show faithfully for several years.
Fred Rogers was a dedicated pacifist (pg. xii). He was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. I learned that the sweaters he wore were made by his mother (pg. xii) Fred died of Stomach cancer in 2003 and is still sought out today via the internet.
I was surprised at the amount of effort he put into helping children walk through the pain of war and terrorism. Known as a Christian peacemaker he sought out to exemplify Christ Jesus in his persona. Because of his stand on war and peace I wonder what Mr. Rogers would say in this day of ISIS and terrorism. Mr. Rogers believed peace is possible. I disagree with Mr. Rogers belief that there is never a time for war. I do believe we should pray for our enemies but sometimes war is necessary for the good to take control from the bad. Mr. Rogers believed all people are especially good.
Rogers believed God evolves, learns, grows, and knows. Contrary to Christian fundamentalism. (pg. 28). He did not believe God to be the same yesterday, today and forever. I think to believe what Rogers believed would be scary. That way could lead one to wonder if God forgives us, or not. Maybe today, but not tomorrow? However, Rogers believed God forgives everyone and everything (31). As a professing Christian, who believes in Jesus is the only way to heaven, I am saddened by the thought that a long time hero of mine just didn't get the true gospel and sadly didn't make i9t to heaven. Officially he was a Presbyterian. Unofficially, he was a Quaker.(#33). Mr. Rogers used his t.v. show to help children work through some of the toughest issues in life (ex. racial issues, war, hunger, living simply and opposing consumerism).
Question: Do you think all people are basically good, and we should avoid war at all costs?
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley for my honest review.
Fred Rogers was a dedicated pacifist (pg. xii). He was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. I learned that the sweaters he wore were made by his mother (pg. xii) Fred died of Stomach cancer in 2003 and is still sought out today via the internet.
I was surprised at the amount of effort he put into helping children walk through the pain of war and terrorism. Known as a Christian peacemaker he sought out to exemplify Christ Jesus in his persona. Because of his stand on war and peace I wonder what Mr. Rogers would say in this day of ISIS and terrorism. Mr. Rogers believed peace is possible. I disagree with Mr. Rogers belief that there is never a time for war. I do believe we should pray for our enemies but sometimes war is necessary for the good to take control from the bad. Mr. Rogers believed all people are especially good.
Rogers believed God evolves, learns, grows, and knows. Contrary to Christian fundamentalism. (pg. 28). He did not believe God to be the same yesterday, today and forever. I think to believe what Rogers believed would be scary. That way could lead one to wonder if God forgives us, or not. Maybe today, but not tomorrow? However, Rogers believed God forgives everyone and everything (31). As a professing Christian, who believes in Jesus is the only way to heaven, I am saddened by the thought that a long time hero of mine just didn't get the true gospel and sadly didn't make i9t to heaven. Officially he was a Presbyterian. Unofficially, he was a Quaker.(#33). Mr. Rogers used his t.v. show to help children work through some of the toughest issues in life (ex. racial issues, war, hunger, living simply and opposing consumerism).
Question: Do you think all people are basically good, and we should avoid war at all costs?
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley for my honest review.
sarahfett's review
2.0
I was disappointed with this book. I expected it to talk more about Mr. Rogers and his faith. I could have done without the American history recaps and long descriptions of individual television episodes. I didn't finish it. (4/30/15)
I received an ARC from NetGalley! (3/11/15)
I received an ARC from NetGalley! (3/11/15)