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The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously.
The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.
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“Burton warmly invites listeners into the life of American icon Fred Rogers…He also introduces Fred’s closest family members and friends, giving voice to their reminiscent quotes and positive commentary on Mr. Rogers as they knew him…Enhanced by Burton’s excellent narration, this exceptional audiobook honoring Fred Rogers is sure to encourage each listener to be a good neighbor. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
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“A superb, thoughtful biography of the brilliant Fred Rogers, who with his long-running television show, reached more children than any teacher ever…Much there is for all of us to learn in Maxwell King’s The Good Neighbor.”
— David McCullough, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“King is a skilled storyteller who captures the essence of not only Rogers the person but also the very particular American scene that produced him.”
— Washington Post -
“Burton is the perfect narrator for this wholly engaging book. His lively, warm reading fully involves the listener.”
— Library Journal (starred audio review) -
“In King’s [The Good Neighbor]…the inimitable Mister Rogers becomes somehow even more enchanting…King’s book brims with anecdotes of intimate exchanges that highlight Rogers’ kindness and grace.”
— Booklist -
“Rogers’ ideas will make readers want to cheer…In a time when antagonism seems to divide us, Rogers’ messages of authenticity, respect, and neighborliness continue to refresh.”
— BookPage
Awards
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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A #1 Amazon.com bestseller in TV History & Criticism
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A BookPage Top Pick for September
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New York Times bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly Pick of the Best Audiobooks of Fall
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A Goodreads Choice Awards Winner for 2018
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A Library Journal Best Audiobook of 2018
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A 2019 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year
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A 2019 Audie Award Finalist for Best Narration in History/Biography
The Good Neighbor Listener Reviews
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Eric Young, 8/3/2022
About Maxwell King
Maxwell King is and author and the CEO of the Pittsburgh Foundation. After a career in journalism, including eight years as editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, he served as president of the Pittsburgh-based Heinz Endowments for nearly a decade.
About LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton is an Emmy Award–winning actor, presenter, director, author, and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He is best known for his roles as the host of the long-running PBS children’s series Reading Rainbow, as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the young Kunta Kinte in the 1977 award-winning ABC television miniseries Roots. He has also directed a number of television episodes for various iterations of Star Trek, among other programs. He was named 2017’s Best Male Literary Citizen by Literary Hub and is a 2020 recipient of the Ember Award for unsung contributions to literature.