In advance of the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, comes Street Gang, Michael Davis's compelling--and often comical--story of the creation and history of the media masterpiece and pop culture landmark, told with the cooperation of one of the show's cofounders, Joan Ganz Cooney. Sesame Street was born as a result of a discussion at Cooney's home about the poor quality of children's programming, and hit the air as a big bang of creative fusion from Jim Henson and company, quickly rocketing to success.
Street Gang, traces the evolution of the show from its inspiration in the civil rights movement through its many ups and downs--from Nixon trying to cut off its funding to the rise of Elmo--via the remarkable personalities who have contributed to it, and reveals how it has taught millions of children not only their letters and numbers, but cooperation and fair play, tolerance and self-respect, conflict resolution, and the importance of listening. This is the unforgettable story of five decades of social and cultural change, and the miraculous creative efforts, passion and commitment of writers, producers, directors, animators and puppeteers who have created one of the most influential shows in the history of television.
A companion audiobook to the provocative award-winning Civil War film of the same name, Union Bound is a powerful story of one man who understood what slavery is all about and who risked everything to do the right thing – to save his country, to free slaves. It is a story of compassion, resolve, and unity against a common evil. it is a story of our past to encourage us to be resolute today. Based on the actual diaries of Union soldier Joseph Hoover, Union Bound is the story of how Sergeant Hoover came to join the Union army only to be captured during the Battle of the Wilderness and taken to the dreaded Andersonville prison in Georgia, where he was held four long months before being transferred to the Florence Stockade in South Carolina. Shortly after arriving to the Florence, Joseph escaped and the very slaves he had fought to free helped him travel the Underground Railroad back to his company in the North. In this amazing true story, you will find honor, integrity, love of country, and the belief that all men are indeed equal.
This hour-long interview is also available on the last CD of the audiobook Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street. Hear a fascinating discussion between author, Michael Davis, and narrator Caroll Spinney, the man (and voice) behind two of America's most iconic children's characters--Big Bird and Oscar The Grouch--listeners will learn about Spinney's contributions to the creation and history of the media masterpiece and pop culture landmark TV series, "Sesame Street." Spinney discusses, among other things, impressions of his early days on TV, the creation of Big Bird and Oscar The Grouch, and, of course, working with Muppet's creator Jim Hensen.
