I bought this book after accompanying a friend to a book signing by Gediman in Cleveland last night. I had no idea what the NPR show, on which the book is based, was about but I'm very glad that I went - one of those fortuitous moments causing a small but perceptible expansion of ones world.
The premise of the show/book is people from all walks of life and nations are requested to submit a 350-500 word essay about "This I Believe". No preaching or dogmatic style is allowed, with the focus of the essays being on the greater essence of what it means to be human, alive and existing in this wonderful universe. The show initially aired in the early 1950's as the brainchild of Ward Wheelock (initiated the idea after his wife died and provided the funding), William Paley and Donald Thornburgh (CBS radio execs) and Edward Murrow (radio broadcaster).
Invitations were sent out to the famous of the time to submit their essays. Contributors included Hoover, Einstein, Truman, Barb Stanwyck, Thomas Mann, Jackie Robinson etc. Following the request of one listener contributions were sought from folks from all walks of life as opposed to the merely famous. The show aired daily for 4yrs gaining huge success around the globe. Alas for one reason and another the show came to an end in 1955.
The concept of "This I Believe" essays lay dormant until March 2003 when Gediman found a copy of essays from the 1950's series and realised that much of what they contained then was as pertinent today - a nation at war, health, government, science, philosophy etc. And so the whole concept, via NPR, was resurrected and has become a firm favourite of the NPR audience.
Anyone is requested to submit their essay, submission guidelines are provided in the book. Authors of the best ones received are requested to record them and then they're aired on the show. 80 essays are collected in this book combining some from the original 1950's shows along with ones from the current. (All of the stories submitted so far, some 19000, are available online). A variety of topics are touched upon in peoples personal philosophies from being nice to the pizza delivery guy through to international collaboration being the only way for humanity withstand its global pressures through to the inspiration to be found while looking up at the stars. Contributors include Bill Gates, Warren Christopher, Colin Powell, John McCain, John Updike, Leonard Bernstein, Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller) through to hospital clerks, schoolteachers, fashion designers and an autistic.
You might not agree with all the beliefs presented in the book (and why should you?) but there certainly is much there to ponder. One of the bonuses is for me is the lack of ram-it-down-your throat, my-way-or-the-highway bombast that plagues so much contemporary religion - religion/god is touched upon but in the loftier sense of man's search for meaning as opposed to the fire and brimstone of the pulpit.
Each essay is well written and even though succinct, manage to get across the pertinent points of the authors beliefs. The book certainly lends itself to random browsing (the essays are ordered by authors surname), and with no topic or index you have no idea what you are going to get in to with each.
Highly recommended - and who knows, it might compel you to submit your own essay.
great cd some esseys suck amazon ripped me off said it qualified for free shipping the charged me more to ship it than the cd cost thanks Amazon for screwing me on the shipping
