The first and definitive biography of an audacious adventurer-the most famous journalist of his time-who more than anyone invented contemporary journalism.
MITCHELL STEPHENS, a professor of journalism in the Carter Institute at New York University, is the author of A History of News, a New York Times "notable book of the year," as well as five other books on journalism and media, and Imagine There's No Heaven. Stephens has followed Lowell Thomas's tracks through Colorado, Alaska, the Yukon, Europe, Arabia, Sikkim, and Tibet.
'Thomas remained a dominant presence in the U.S. media well into the 1970s, but he might be the most famous twentieth-century media figure whom hardly anyone under 40 has heard of. Stephens has written an unusual biography; he is less interested in rescuing Thomas from oblivion than in illuminating what his rise and fall say about a changing country. --Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs Introduces us to one of the finest journalists in the history of America...Every journalist and student of journalism must read this inspiring biography of an awesome journalist. --The Washington Book Review Stephens' book is purported to be the first serious book-length biography of Thomas, and that in itself would be enough to justify it's existence. That it's a lively read is a bonus. --Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette "Mitchell Stephens's The Voice of America is a first-rate and much-needed biography of the great Lowell Thomas. Nobody can properly understand broadcast journalism without reading Stephens's riveting account of this larger-than-life globetrotting radio legend." --Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History at Rice University and author of Cronkite Lowell Thomas so deserves this lively account of his legendary life. He was a man for all seasons. --Tom Brokaw Among the celebrated people in America in the 1920s and '30s were Franklin Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin, Babe Ruth, Shirley Temple, Jack Dempsey, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby--and Lowell Thomas. All those names still resonate--except Thomas, for decades the "Voice of God" in network newscasting.... Now Mitchell Stephens, an accomplished chronicler of journalism, has resurrected Thomas. --The Wall Street Journal Vivid and interesting. --The Weekly Standard Will take you into the fascinating life, times, and adventures of the man who was considered the most famous reporter of his time .... If we want to know where our modern media is going, we definitely need to understand where it came from. --Bustle This books preserves Thomas's place in American history and will be welcomed by historians and broadcasters. --Library Journal A quintessentially American story, Thomas' combination of P. T. Barnum and Walter Cronkite makes for first-rate reading. --Booklist Stephens captures the swashbuckling spirit of this early journalist [...] an entertaining look at a unique journalist. --Kirkus Reviews Mitchell Stephen's The Voice of America is the fascinating story of Lowell Thomas, whose rise to media stardom is an adventuresome epic in itself, almost as much the story he weaved around the exploits of T.E. Lawrence, which made him forever 'Lawrence of Arabia.' --Michael Korda, author of Hero An excellent book. Refreshingly honest. Stephens manages to contain that extraordinary life within 400 pages, without becoming his subject's cheerleader. I learned so much. --Bob Edwards, longtime host of Morning Edition on NPR A great book! Lowell Thomas was a man of many facets, and in this book he sparkles in the light Mitchell Stephens shines on him. Like TE Lawrence, Thomas was not only a remarkable man but a reflection of the fascinating era in which he lived. --Theodore Janulis, president, The Explorers Club
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