The Radio Boys and Girls - by Mike Adams (Paperback)

About the Book

Serial fiction about wireless and radio was the most popular young adult literature at the turn of the 20th century and a form of early social media. Before television and the Internet, book about plucky youths braving danger and adventure with the help of wireless communication brought young people together. They gathered in basements to build crystal sets and listen to early broadcasts. They built transmitters and talked to each other across neighborhoods, cities and states. By 1920, there was music on the airwaves and boys and girls tuned in on homemade radios, inspired by their favorite stories.

Book Synopsis

Series fiction about wireless and radio was a popular genre of young adult literature at the turn of the 20th century and an early form of social media. Before television and the Internet, books about plucky youths braving danger and adventure with the help of wireless communication brought young people together. They gathered in basements to build crystal sets. They built transmitters and talked to each other across neighborhoods, cities and states. By 1920, there was music on the air and boys and girls tuned in on homemade radios, often inspired by their favorite stories.

This book analyzes more than 50 volumes of wireless and radio themed fiction, offering a unique perspective on the world presented to young readers of the day. The values, attitudes, culture and technology of a century ago are discussed, many of them still debated today, including immigration, gun violence and guns on campus, race, bullying and economic inequality.

Review Quotes

"finally, Professor Adams has given us a book everyone who ever worked around a microphone should read and share with a young person, because it is a profound joy and comfort, and reflects the power and glory of an earlier America and radio's rile in carrying that banner"-Broadcast Legends; "well illustrated with book and magazine covers and technical diagrams of radios that should delight engineers, young and old"-Dime Novel Round Up; "very enjoyable, informative and well-written"-Antique Wireless Association Journal; "lots of fun period illustrations that will interest any fan of bygone radio topics."-Radio World; "more complete than any previous published work on the subject...read the book"-Glendale Daily Planet; "excellent...well-illustrated...radio amateurs and radio buffs with an appreciation of history and society will enjoy this one"-ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio; "brings back to life an entire genre of children's books about electrical communication"-Communications Booknotes Quarterly.

About the Author

Mike Adams has been a radio personality and a filmmaker. He is a professor emeritus of radio, television and film at San Jose State University, where he has been department chair and associate dean of the College of Humanities and the Arts. He is the author of six books and the creator of two award-winning documentaries for PBS. He lives in Scotts Valley, California.