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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I expected this to be a great biography, but it may have been one of the driest pieces of nonfiction I've ever read. I think the problem with this book was King spent an exorbitant amount of time writing about getting the show into production and describing various scenes, and in my opinion, not enough about Rogers himself. The redeeming chapters of this biography were those that detailed Fred's spirituality, his philosophy on educating children, and his end of life moments.
I very much enjoyed this book, especially since I heard the author speak at my library a few months ago. Although I vaguely remember The Children's Corner (early Mister Rogers/Josie Carrey) and my son missed Mister Rogers' prime, living in the Pittsburgh area, I have always been aware of Fred Rogers. The Good Neighbor highlighted not only the TV aspects, but Fred Rogers' entire life. Not without flaws, Fred was none-the-less a remarkable person. He successfully combined his deep religious faith with his vocation for childhood development and his musical talent. Though I have read countless articles and heard many news stories about Fred Rogers, I never realized the depth of all three facets of his life.
I especially enjoyed reading about Fred's daily swimming routine.
I highly recommend this book. Author Maxwell King has thoroughly researched Rogers' life and influence.
"Humility and kindness to all people originated not only through Rogers's Christianity, but also his careful study of other religions and cultures. Rogers was a student of Catholic mysticism, Buddhism, Judaism, and other faiths, and many of his admirers came to see an almost Zen-like quality in the pace of his work and his life." (9)
"McCullough [David, the author and historian], who grew up in the same time, region, and culture as Fred, adds that a key to understanding Rogers is the western Pennsylvania work ethic: 'The Pittsburgh work ethic is not a Puritan work ethic. In Pittsburgh, if you were a good worker, you were respected, you were welcome.' The Puritan ethic is more inclusive, expansive, and appreciative of a strong commitment to work." (116)
"I look at Fred as a complicated person who chose simplicity, but at the same time, Fred was a powerful, powerful person. He was spiritually powerful, but he was also interpersonally powerful. It wasn't as if Fred was continually deferring to you. It was not like that at all. Fred was very, very active in engaging you, but in the way he wanted to engage you." (305) Quote from writer Tom Junod
"Rogers's views were the culmination of years of study. Beside his bed in his Pittsburgh apartment was a tall revolving bookcase with several shelves of books he wanted to read and reread either in the evening or in the early morning, when he also read the Bible before starting his day." (314)
I want a revolving bookcase next to my bed.
In his final days
"Joanne sat on the bed once and said, 'Fred, I know the boys are going to be okay. I'll try to be,' she said. And he said, 'Oh, Joanne, you don't know what a relief that is for me to hear that.'" (347)
I especially enjoyed reading about Fred's daily swimming routine.
I highly recommend this book. Author Maxwell King has thoroughly researched Rogers' life and influence.
"Humility and kindness to all people originated not only through Rogers's Christianity, but also his careful study of other religions and cultures. Rogers was a student of Catholic mysticism, Buddhism, Judaism, and other faiths, and many of his admirers came to see an almost Zen-like quality in the pace of his work and his life." (9)
"McCullough [David, the author and historian], who grew up in the same time, region, and culture as Fred, adds that a key to understanding Rogers is the western Pennsylvania work ethic: 'The Pittsburgh work ethic is not a Puritan work ethic. In Pittsburgh, if you were a good worker, you were respected, you were welcome.' The Puritan ethic is more inclusive, expansive, and appreciative of a strong commitment to work." (116)
"I look at Fred as a complicated person who chose simplicity, but at the same time, Fred was a powerful, powerful person. He was spiritually powerful, but he was also interpersonally powerful. It wasn't as if Fred was continually deferring to you. It was not like that at all. Fred was very, very active in engaging you, but in the way he wanted to engage you." (305) Quote from writer Tom Junod
"Rogers's views were the culmination of years of study. Beside his bed in his Pittsburgh apartment was a tall revolving bookcase with several shelves of books he wanted to read and reread either in the evening or in the early morning, when he also read the Bible before starting his day." (314)
I want a revolving bookcase next to my bed.
In his final days
"Joanne sat on the bed once and said, 'Fred, I know the boys are going to be okay. I'll try to be,' she said. And he said, 'Oh, Joanne, you don't know what a relief that is for me to hear that.'" (347)
informative
slow-paced
Wholesome and nostalgic. King’s work presents Rogers as the dedicated and compassionate educator and pioneer that he was.
I knew there was something special about Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, but I had no idea how wonderful the man behind it was. We could all learn so much from him. He wasn’t an entertainer, he was a philosopher. This is a very well-researched biography. It almost lost me in the beginning because of the detail (and at times repetitiveness) of the chapters on his childhood. But hearing about his approach to children and TV, as well as his effect on others, is so inspirational. LeVar Burton narrating the audiobook is the nostalgic icing on the cake.
I’m starting to realize I’m more of a memoir person than a biography person.
This book tries to humanize Fred Rogers but ultimately keeps putting him back on the same pedestal that the rest of the world has placed him on. King acknowledges Rogers’s weird consistent adult weight of 143 lbs, but instead of focusing on this as something potentially harmful he frames it as a cute quirk full of symbolic meaning. There are a few instances like this.
I most enjoyed learning about how The Neighborhood was anchored in child education theory as it was being theorized.
This book name drops an awful lot but doesn’t tend to dwell where I wish it would. August Wilson and Fred Rogers share a sentence but I would’ve enjoyed reading paragraphs about their work in Pittsburgh if there was more overlap. Bill Cosby is mentioned as a caring friend, but I would’ve liked to hear more about whether that relationship was a deep one or superficial. Obviously, Rogers was not around in 2014 when Cosby’s crimes came to the surface, but surely someone from the family was.
This book also mentions John Green’s commencement address to Kenyon where he was inspired by Rogers’s acceptance speech for his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys thanking all of the “special ones who have loved us into being.” I had forgotten about this, as I am not a Rogers connoisseur nor a Kenyon grad, but I hear echoes of this sentiment in Green’s “Auld Lang Syne” essay for the Anthropocene Reviewed where he raises a glass to all of those who have loved us into this moment and (a paraphrase here, all of this) acknowledges the hope that somewhere they’re also raising a glass to us.
This book tries to humanize Fred Rogers but ultimately keeps putting him back on the same pedestal that the rest of the world has placed him on. King acknowledges Rogers’s weird consistent adult weight of 143 lbs, but instead of focusing on this as something potentially harmful he frames it as a cute quirk full of symbolic meaning. There are a few instances like this.
I most enjoyed learning about how The Neighborhood was anchored in child education theory as it was being theorized.
This book name drops an awful lot but doesn’t tend to dwell where I wish it would. August Wilson and Fred Rogers share a sentence but I would’ve enjoyed reading paragraphs about their work in Pittsburgh if there was more overlap. Bill Cosby is mentioned as a caring friend, but I would’ve liked to hear more about whether that relationship was a deep one or superficial. Obviously, Rogers was not around in 2014 when Cosby’s crimes came to the surface, but surely someone from the family was.
This book also mentions John Green’s commencement address to Kenyon where he was inspired by Rogers’s acceptance speech for his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys thanking all of the “special ones who have loved us into being.” I had forgotten about this, as I am not a Rogers connoisseur nor a Kenyon grad, but I hear echoes of this sentiment in Green’s “Auld Lang Syne” essay for the Anthropocene Reviewed where he raises a glass to all of those who have loved us into this moment and (a paraphrase here, all of this) acknowledges the hope that somewhere they’re also raising a glass to us.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
We all know Mr.Rogers, but do we really “know” him? Is he for real? There is no doubt that he appealed to young children, but I had no clue about how much thought and work went into his program. Fred researched child psychology and consulted experts to figure out the best way to address important issues.
I didn’t realize that Mr. Roger’s Neighborhoodwas on the air for 40 years. Isn’t that amazing! I also didn’t realize the significance of Public Television that allowed Fred more control over the content and advertising on the program.
When I was in high school, I was in the Iowa State 4-H Council. I don’t remember the exact theme of our 1992 state conference, but we invited Mr. Rogers to come speak. He declined, but Mr. McFeely came. We thought it would be kind of silly and quirky, but he enraptured everyone in the room.
I learned a lot from the book, including some surprising things, such as Fred’s reaction to finding a blow up doll in his closet. You’ll have to read the book to learn that story. There is a lot of great content, but I didn’t always like how it was organized and found parts to be redundant. 3.5 stars.
I didn’t realize that Mr. Roger’s Neighborhoodwas on the air for 40 years. Isn’t that amazing! I also didn’t realize the significance of Public Television that allowed Fred more control over the content and advertising on the program.
When I was in high school, I was in the Iowa State 4-H Council. I don’t remember the exact theme of our 1992 state conference, but we invited Mr. Rogers to come speak. He declined, but Mr. McFeely came. We thought it would be kind of silly and quirky, but he enraptured everyone in the room.
I learned a lot from the book, including some surprising things, such as Fred’s reaction to finding a blow up doll in his closet. You’ll have to read the book to learn that story. There is a lot of great content, but I didn’t always like how it was organized and found parts to be redundant. 3.5 stars.
It was such a pleasure reading about a genuinely good man, who cared so much for children’s education. He was the kindest of souls and made lifelong friends wherever he went. He enhanced so many children’s lives and was the forerunner in keeping PBS alive.
Learned some new things about Mr. Rogers, but this book was long and boring.