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mcrystal1000's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This book was so fascinating to read. The way it takes you through the process of radio making and shows you how it’s done is so cool. And all the people in the book are some of the biggest names in the business so it’s cool hearing their process. I think the one problem is that because of how much the book was really a guide to making narrative radio it could get boring at points. Also with so many people it might’ve just been my bad memory but there would be a face without a name and I’d recognize the face from before but not remember who it was.
Note added after reading other reviews: I did also find that the amount of text was a lot and it felt like maybe because of that or because of the lack of something happening in the panels I wasn’t always absorbing the graphic part.
Note added after reading other reviews: I did also find that the amount of text was a lot and it felt like maybe because of that or because of the lack of something happening in the panels I wasn’t always absorbing the graphic part.
elchivovivo's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
I bought this book to reward myself for getting my podcast funded. Ive never done a podcast, and as I write this, I still plough through Impostor Syndrome.
But this book helped me see that this is all normal. My podcasting idols share their secrets wholeheartedly.
Anyone with even the slightest curiosity of how narrative poly-voice podcasts are done has to read this book.
Jessica Abel truly follows her passion.
But this book helped me see that this is all normal. My podcasting idols share their secrets wholeheartedly.
Anyone with even the slightest curiosity of how narrative poly-voice podcasts are done has to read this book.
Jessica Abel truly follows her passion.
georgiaonyrmnd's review
5.0
A must read for anyone interested in making their own documentary-style podcast or radio show. It feels like Jessica Abel captures everything about the process (I’m sure there’s more but it is very comprehensive) with such clarity. I’m currently in an intensive podcast/radio workshop and so much of what I’m learning is also in these pages.
Fans of shows like This American Life, Radio Lab, and Snap Judgment might also enjoy reading this behind the scenes look at how the sausage is made.
Fans of shows like This American Life, Radio Lab, and Snap Judgment might also enjoy reading this behind the scenes look at how the sausage is made.
zararah's review
5.0
I can't recommend this enough for those who are looking for the tips and secrets of great radio storytelling. It's incredibly full of content, and a pleasure to browse and read. It was one of those books where I wanted to write notes in the margins (but then decided not to, because the drawings in it are so beautiful!) - so I kept my notebook near by whenever I was reading, and frequently scribbled in it. It's very thorough in its overview of what makes a good story - from ideas, all the way up to editing and sound.
I'm also a big fan of the accompanying podcast, which encourages readers to become storytellers, through a structured, step by step process. I'm mid-way through the podcast currently, but thoroughly enjoying it.
The book is a little hard to get hold of outside the States unfortunately (with delivery costs to Europe almost as high as the book itself!) - so fingers crossed for other publishers to pick it up, too.
I'm also a big fan of the accompanying podcast, which encourages readers to become storytellers, through a structured, step by step process. I'm mid-way through the podcast currently, but thoroughly enjoying it.
The book is a little hard to get hold of outside the States unfortunately (with delivery costs to Europe almost as high as the book itself!) - so fingers crossed for other publishers to pick it up, too.
jenlouden's review
Just the best guide out there for creating narrative on the radio but also useful for any story teller. Super super super!
zachkuhn's review
1.0
Problems:
1. Too many words on the page. There are blocks of text everywhere. To the point where it becomes less about the visual and more about the text. In which case give me an article. But this wouldn't work as an article. Because there's nothing at stake. See problem 2.
2. There's nothing at stake. This book is about how great podcasts are. How much the people making them love making them, need to make them, feel compelled to make them. And it focuses on NPR- or NPR-influenced podcasts. Almost entirely. And NPR listeners and producers don't have to try very hard to satisfy the NPR audience. NPR listeners are not much different from NRA supporters--the only thing that outrages them about their "organization" is when the organization says or does something that undermines what the organization represents to its members. So NRA members don't blanche when the NRA defends gun rights after a school massacre, but they'll freak out when a member does something that smells even faintly of peeling a layer off the Second Amendment. And NPR listeners will support NPR's output even if it's of poor quality but will freak out if NPR or PBS benches a controversial story about a right-wing target. So in the long run there's nothing for NPR to fear; as long as This American Life plays when it's supposed to and Ira (who I love and find to be tremendously talented but who seems to have given too much control of his show to inferior producers) giggles or says "No way!" or dramatically pauses as a subject breaks down in tears, they'll get their $50 pledges and the cultural elite will sing their praise(s).
3. There's one panel that mentions Howard Stern. The person who invented the free form radio most podcasts emulate. Don't believe me? Ask Ira Glass. NPR listeners wouldn't dare admit what is glaringly obvious: the episodes they love the most deal with "characters." Howard Stern was the first person to let these "characters" have a voice. Perhaps he ridiculed them or laughed at them. But he gave them a voice. The interview is the heart of all great podcasts, and an ability to speak to your listeners during an interview is the skill most needed for a "narrative radio" broadcast to work. No one is more responsible for this than Howard Stern. The most successful podcasts of today are more Baba Booey than WCBS.
1. Too many words on the page. There are blocks of text everywhere. To the point where it becomes less about the visual and more about the text. In which case give me an article. But this wouldn't work as an article. Because there's nothing at stake. See problem 2.
2. There's nothing at stake. This book is about how great podcasts are. How much the people making them love making them, need to make them, feel compelled to make them. And it focuses on NPR- or NPR-influenced podcasts. Almost entirely. And NPR listeners and producers don't have to try very hard to satisfy the NPR audience. NPR listeners are not much different from NRA supporters--the only thing that outrages them about their "organization" is when the organization says or does something that undermines what the organization represents to its members. So NRA members don't blanche when the NRA defends gun rights after a school massacre, but they'll freak out when a member does something that smells even faintly of peeling a layer off the Second Amendment. And NPR listeners will support NPR's output even if it's of poor quality but will freak out if NPR or PBS benches a controversial story about a right-wing target. So in the long run there's nothing for NPR to fear; as long as This American Life plays when it's supposed to and Ira (who I love and find to be tremendously talented but who seems to have given too much control of his show to inferior producers) giggles or says "No way!" or dramatically pauses as a subject breaks down in tears, they'll get their $50 pledges and the cultural elite will sing their praise(s).
3. There's one panel that mentions Howard Stern. The person who invented the free form radio most podcasts emulate. Don't believe me? Ask Ira Glass. NPR listeners wouldn't dare admit what is glaringly obvious: the episodes they love the most deal with "characters." Howard Stern was the first person to let these "characters" have a voice. Perhaps he ridiculed them or laughed at them. But he gave them a voice. The interview is the heart of all great podcasts, and an ability to speak to your listeners during an interview is the skill most needed for a "narrative radio" broadcast to work. No one is more responsible for this than Howard Stern. The most successful podcasts of today are more Baba Booey than WCBS.
strikingthirteen's review
4.0
Podcasts are always a hard thing to explain. Radio but not radio but yes radio? The term "narrative nonfiction" sort of works but that doesn't seem to work here. Jessica Abel does her very best to explain podcasts and how seven in particular (one of them being the smash hit This American Life) work. It's an intense behind the scenes as much as it is a musing on podcasts in general. You almost feel like you're watching a documentary film and if you happen to listen to any of the podcasts mentioned you can definitely hear the voices loud and clear. Very, very fascinating.