TWENTY YEARS WITH NPR

A time capsule of events and interviews typical of the coverage National Public Radio gave the news in its first twenty years of existence is presented in this collection. Susan Stamberg lays the groundwork in her introduction and links the contributions of the varied, nontraditional radio voices. Selections range from technical ones (Bob Edwards on interviewing) to current history (Scott Simon at a Nazi rally) to the frivolous (Arizona Sold to Canada: An April Fools' report). The selections, even if they don't always work, show the possibilities radio offers as "theater of the mind." Sound effects are well integrated into presentations, and one senses the growing sophistication in NPR's production as years go by. This collection would be valuable to students of current history, journalism or broadcasting. C.R.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 92]