Public Radio: Behind the Voices

While commercial radio has become increasingly formulaic, Phillips says, the radio audience has established an intimate connection with public radio hosts: "This voice-to-ear relationship is a startlingly radical one in an era when image is everything." The SUNY journalism professor, who has worked at six public radio stations in five states, is passionate about her field, and her fervor is evident throughout these 43 profiles of public radio personalities, her "broadcasting heroes." Blending research with in-depth interviews, she divides the portraits into three categories. "Music" ranges from the spontaneity of Nic Harcourt (on the free-form Morning Becomes Eclectic ) to "deliciously polite" Marian McPartland (on the long-running Piano Jazz ). "News and Information" covers Susan Stamberg (NPR's "founding mother"), Daniel Schorr, Bob Edwards, Nina Totenberg and others. Finally, the 16 profiles in the "Talk and Entertainment" section include Tavis Smiley, Garrison Keillor and quipster Michael Feldman (Whad'Ya Know? ). Phillips praises the narrative style of Ira Glass (This American Life ) and the conversational approach of Fresh Air 's Terry Gross, although Glass and Gross both declined to be interviewed. Phillips is a gifted journalist, able to draw out her subjects' vibrant presence on the printed page. 16-page b&w photo insert not seen by PW . (Apr. 18)